Influence of Social Change on Marriage Institutions: A Study of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of social change on marriage institutions using Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria as the study locale. With the aid of the general and specific objectives, three hypotheses were formulated for the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample size of (399) was adopted from the population of the study using Taro Yamane formula for sample size determination. The simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were variously applied in the study at different stages. The summation of all the responses was presented using frequency distribution tables and simple percentages, while the Chi-square statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses formulated in the study. The test statistics revealed among others that there is a significant relationship between social change and marriage customs and traditions in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. The study concludes that social change has influenced marriage institutions such as marriage customs and traditions, the number of children giving birth by couples in families, and dissolution of marriages. The study recommends, among others, that, necessary measures should be adopted by individuals, government, religious and traditional institutions through, radio and television programmes, seminars, workshops in order to handle the scourge tenaciously.