Patterns of Marital Instability in Three Urban Centers of Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the pattern of marital instability in some selected urban parts of Katsina state, Nigeria. A total of 400 questionnaires were proportionately allocated to the three most urbanized local government areas (LGAs), which serve as the headquarters of the three senatorial zones of the state, and were administered via the systematic sampling method. The data obtained were analysed by both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis through tabulations and Chi-square. The results indicate that divorce, accounting for 56.5%, is the most prevalent form of marital instability in the selected urban centers of Katsina state, with the Katsina zone having the highest number of cases of divorce in the state. This is followed by widowhood/widowerhood (28%), which is greater in the Daura Zone of the state. The results also show that marital instability is more common among couples aged between 30 and 34 years. This finding also shows that the trend of marital instability tends to be low at early and late stages of marriage. This is because couples tend to be more tolerant of each other at the early and late stages of marriage. The chi-square analysis shows that the relationship between locality and marital instability is statistically significant. The study finally recommends that religious organization leaders incorporate effective ways through which divorce among couples could be minimized or completely eradicated in society.