Communication, Money and Sex in Marriage

Marriage is a legally-sanctioned contract between two people. The contractual marriage agreement usually implies that the couple has legal obligations to each other throughout their lives or until they decide to get divorced.

In many cultures, marriage is regarded as a vital tool in the preservation of morals and civilisation. Its inherent orientation to the bearing and rearing of children also contributes to its distinctive structure, including norms of monogamy and fidelity. [1] Public policy is strongly in favor of marriage based on the belief that it preserves the family unit.

In Nigeria, there is a huge cultural importance attached to marriage. Marriage is an important institution in the society and it is expected of both sexes in order to be responsible members of the institution.

Nigerian societies create, perpetuate and protect the marriage institution because it provides ‘social goods’; a term for the societal benefits derivable by the whole and the individuals from it.

Like every union, marriage is not without problems.[2] About one-half of the first marriages of young adults today are likely to end in divorce. For second marriages, the projected level is closer to 60%. [3]

Overall, the results indicate that the most often cited reasons by couples deciding to end their marriages include sexual related problems (59.6%), too much conflict and arguing (57.7%) and financial problems (36.7%). [4]

COMMUNICATION IN MARRIAGE