EDUCATIONAL STATUS DIFFERENTIALS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MARITAL INSTABILITY IN OGUN CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

Abstract

The increase in divorce rates is one of the most visible challenges in contemporary family life and it calls for deeper analysis in order to understand their causes and consequences on the well-being of divorced partners. Therefore, this study investigated educational status differentials differences on domestic violence and marital instability in Ogun Central District. The study adopted a causal comparative research design. The population for the study comprised married couples in Ogun Central Senatorial District, while a sample of 40 respondents was selected each from six (6) Local Government Area under Ogun Central Senatorial District, using a random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire titled Educational Diverse Couple, Domestic Violence and Marital Instability Questionnaire (EDCDVMIQ) was used for data collection. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, simple percentage and T-test were used to test the research questions at 0.05level of significance. The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling, and its reliability was established using appropriate reliability methods. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. . However within the population of the highly educated and the less educated couples the prevalent violence was physical violence (76.7% and 72.7%) respectively; showing that the highly educated had more physical violence while both had sexual violence (7.4% and 4.5%) respectively as the least occurring marital violence. It was also revealed that there exist no significant differences between in domestic violence among the highly educated and less educated couples (t=0.325; p>0.05). Likewise, there is no significant differences in marital instability between highly and less educated couples (t=0.088; p>0.05).Based on the findings, it was recommended that marriage counsellors and family life educators should provide premarital counselling on educational status, compatibility and conflict management strategies to reduce domestic violence and promote marital stability.