Influence Of Western Culture On The Nigerian Traditional Marriage System

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1.  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The advent and adoption of the western culture due to the coming of the colonial masters in Nigeria brought with it the introduction of a foreign culture which was embraced with open arms due to the fact that the administration of the country was in the hands of the colonial masters. Therefore, western culture brought western civilization. Western culture constitutes the social norms, belief, customs, ethical values associated with countries and nations of Europe; J. Spiel Vogel, Jackson (2016). Apparently, in Nigeria this were the influence of the colonial master of the then British, America etc. Consequently, the development of the western culture was the introduction of Christian influence in Nigeria over the Nigerian traditional cultural system. This influence permeates various aspect of life including the marriage institution. Traditional culture is defined as the customs and practices in a particular culture. The Nigerian traditional marriage culture constitutes the traditional marriage customs of the Nigerian traditional society. The contact of the western culture with the Nigerian traditional culture brought with it many changes which have brought significant changes to the traditional marriage system. Therefore, many Nigerians have adopted church and registry marriage over the traditional marriage institutions. Therefore, traditional marriages are only recognized when church and registry marriages have been culminated. It is also believed that the many social vices of the society is the result of the influence of western culture such as divorce, single parenthood, child neglect due to work by working class parents, etc. The increasing consequences of western culture over traditional beliefs and practices constitute a debate over the validity of Nigerian traditional marriage system. The study seeks to proffer an appraisal of the influence of western culture on the traditional marriage system.

1. 2.   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The increasing rate and consequences of divorce, social vices resulting from child neglect, women autonomy, and single parenthood in our traditional society are pointers that the influence of the western culture over traditional institutions requires a re-evaluation. Culture is the totality of a system, knowledge, belief, arts, morals, customs, laws and other capabilities of a society acquired through learning and transferred to others from one generation to another. Therefore, the re-assessment of societal values which affect the promotion of good and ethical values in our traditional society is imperative. Ajiboye et al (2012) observed that the neglect of child care by many educated parents contradict the traditional methods of child care which constitute a fundamental factor to social and cultural development in the society. The problem confronting the study is to investigate the influence of western culture on the Nigerian traditional society.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main study objective is to investigate the influence of western culture on the Nigerian traditional society; While the specific objectives of the study include:

1. To determine the influence of western culture on traditional marriage in Nigeria.
2. To appraise the extent western culture has influenced traditional marriages in Nigeria.
3. To determine the possible ways we can revive our African culture.
   3.  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the influence of western culture on traditional marriage in Nigeria?
2. To what extent has western culture influenced traditional marriages in Nigeria?
3. What are the possible ways we can revive our African culture?
   4.  RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho₁: There is no significant influence of western culture on the Nigerian traditional marriage system.

1. 5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to provide an evaluative appraisal of western culture to determine the challenges and effects on the Nigerian traditional marriage system

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the appraisal of the influence of western culture on Nigerian traditional marriage system.

 1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

 The study was confronted with logistic and geographical constraint.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

CULTURE DEFINED

Culture is the totality of a system, knowledge, belief, arts, morals, customs, laws and other capabilities of a society acquired through learning and transferred to others from one generation to another.

WESTERN CULTURE DEFINED

Western culture constitutes the social norms, belief, customs, ethical values associated with countries and nations of Europe. Apparently in Nigeria this were the influence of the colonial master of the then British, America etc. Consequently the development of the western culture was the introduction of Christian influence in Nigeria over the Nigerian traditional cultural system. This influence permeates various aspect of life including the marriage institution.

TRADITIONAL CULTURE DEFINED

Traditional culture is defined as the customs and practices in a particular culture. The Nigerian traditional marriage culture constitute the traditional marriage customs of the Nigerian traditional society

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