Social consequences of wife-battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha North Local Government Areas of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Domestic violence is gaining increasing notoriety in Nigeria, yet, it is treated with little importance. This could be attributed to a number of reasons; one of which is underreporting. This article examines the social consequences of wife-battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha North LGAs of Anambra State, Nigeria. Using qualitative and quantitative research approaches, a sample of 364 respondents comprising of 196 males and 168 females was drawn from Anambra State. The study adopted multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques in reaching the respondents. The quantitative data were analyzed using percentages, while thematic method of analysis was employed in the qualitative data. We found out and argue in this paper that wife-battering causes divorce, miscarriage, and children growing up to be aggressive. This paper proposes the need for emotionally incompatible couples to be allowed to get divorce. Also, the study calls for the government to encourage battered wives and children to get emotionally stabilized by establishing marriage counseling units in the communities that make up the Local Government Areas. And the units should make use of the services of personality psychologists and social workers.