IMPACTS AND PERCEPTION OF CHILDLESSNESS ON MARRIED COUPLES: A PLACE OF CHILD ADOPTION IN MITIGATING CONFLICT OF BARRENNESS

Abstract

Across the globe and particularly in African societies, the word “childlessness” sends curiosity to the ears of listener and a sense of pity is immediately aroused in the mind of people when its mentioned and it may have personal, social and/or political significance. The study examines the impacts and perception of childlessness on married couples and ways of mitigating the pressure both from the family and the society using child adoption as a strategy. The instrument for data collection used for this research was questionnaire. One hundred and thirteen (113) respondents were purposively selected. The data collected were analyzed using tables and percentages. Findings among others include; women are not fully blamed for the cause of childlessness like it used to be. It is also found out that there is still negative attitude of childless couples towards child adoption as majority of the respondents’ lack awareness. In view of these findings, the study recommend among others that; childless couples should seek for medical treatment jointly instead of allowing one partner to carry the burden alone; people should endeavor to show love and care to childless couples as living in such atmosphere can help them while anxiety, hatred, stress and other negative attributes, Government at the local level and State level should partner with central government to create more awareness at the grass root, on the causes of childlessness and that any of the couples can be at fault not necessarily the woman. Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the religious institutions should assist in sensitizing and educating members of the public on the beauty of adoption and how it can help in mitigating conflict of childlessness and also to socialize with childless married couples.