Childlessness Among Married Couples In Ekiti State

ABSTRACT

Studies have been carried out in both developed and developing countries in examining childlessness and its effects on the coping mechanisms employed by the' childless couples. This study investigates childlessness among married couples in Oye and Ado local Government Area in Ekiti state. The study focuses on couples without children from different ethnic and socio- economic backgrounds, with varied education. Data was collected using

questionnaire and structured interviews. The population constituted a sample of two hundred (200) respondents from Oye and Ado. A total of 12 In-depth interview (IDI) sessions were used to complement the survey. Descriptive analysis and inferential analysis such as chisquare was used to analyze using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version The findings revealed that the most notable causes of childlessness among married couples according to the respondents were genetics or chromosomal disorder, chronic consumption of alcohol, long term infection in the pelvic area, appendicitis, abdominal or pelvic surgery, ovulation disorders and uterine or cervical abnormalities also the social and

cultural impact on the other hand have impact as well, the culture of several communities have placed stigmas on childless couples and that way they feel it's always the woman's fault. Major impacts on spousal relationship highlighted by respondents were infidelity, domestic violence, polygamy etc. It was discovered that the community have perceptions or attitudes

towards childless couples and such perception have been negative. The study recommends that all couples should be very prudent with their decision when' it c0mes to managing childlessness to avoid spousal· disagreement. In conclusion, It was noted by the researcher

that childless couples faces a lot of stigmatization, depression etc. This can be lessening by adopting various coping mechanisms listed in the survey.