IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 10 NO. 4 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jhsp.v10.no4.2024.pg1.20

---

Influence of Harmful Widowhood Practices on Widows in Nigeria: Implications for Guidance

OGUCHE, ThankGod Emmanuel, AFU, Maria O. OSAGIE, Mitchelle

---

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of harmful widowhood practices on widows in Nigeria: implications for Guidance. The study was guided by it three specific objectives, three research questions and three null hypotheses. The research design for this study was a descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised of all widows in. A sample size of three hundred and twenty-one (321) respondents was sampled for the study. The instrument was a self-designed questionnaire titled “Harmful Widowhood Practices Questionnaire (HWPQ). Frequency counts and percentages was used to analyse the demographic data while Mean scores and Standard Deviations was used to answer the research questions also ANOVA was used to test hypotheses 1-2 while t-test was used to test hypotheses 3. The study revealed that poverty, unemployment, lack of education amongst others were some of the factors responsible for harmful widowhood practices in Nigeria, depression, financial instability, emotional instability amongst others were some of the major influence of harmful widowhood practices in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended amongst others that: information and sensitization should be created on the influence of harmful widowhood practices on widows and national development in order to bring the menace to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated.

keywords:

Harmful, Widowhood, Practices, Widow and Guidance

---

References:

Adeyemo, C. W. (2016) “Assessing the Effects of Widowhood on Children Education in South
western, Nigeria Journal of Education and Practice” www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper)
ISSN 2222-288X (Online) Vol.5, No.11, 2014
Adeyemo, C. W. (2014). Vocational Skills Acquisition and Micro-credit Loans as Determinants of
Socio-Economic and Psychological Adjustments of Widows in Southwestern Nigeria. An
unpublished PhD Thesis. University of Ibadan.
Afu, O.M., Oguche, T.E., Sammani, Z.U. & Baba, G. (2023). Relationship Between Insecurity,
Depression and Students Academic Achievement in Nigeria: Implication for Guidance.
International Journal of Education and National Development, 1(3), 54-74
Aromolaran, B. (2011). Problems associated with widowhood as expressed by widows in Ilorin
metropolis. Masters Dissertation, Ilorin University Nigeria.
Afolaya, G.E. (2011) Widowhood Practices and the Rights of Women: The Case of South Western
Nigeria. MA Research Paper, International Institute of Social Studies, Hague (Online)
Available: http://thesis.eur.nl/pub/1081
Agunwa, T. V. C. (2011). Bad widowhood practices in Nigeria: its adverse effects on widows on
widows. Journal of research and development, 3(1) 145-149.
Ahonsi, M. U. (2011). The plight of widows in Nigeria: The paradox for traditional counseling.
Usman Danfodityo University Sokoto.
Babalola, M., (2010) ‘The dehumanization and inhuman treatment of widows in African
communities’, Current Research Journal of Social Sciences 4(1), 6–11.
Bhola, J. (2017). strategies for addressing harmful widowhood practices. counselling. Journal of
Research in Counselling Psychology, 4(4), 99–105
Chukwu-Okoronkwo, S. O (2016) Culture of Widowhood Practices in Africa: Deinstitutionalizing
the Plights of Women and Communicating Development through Theatre American Journal
of
Social
Science
Research
Vol.
1,
No.
2,
2015,
pp.
71-76
http://www.publicscienceframework.org/journal/ajssr
Chukwu-Okoronkwo, S. O. &Nwankwo, I. E. (2012). “Culture and Gender Issues in Contemporary
Nigerian Drama”. In IMSU Theatre Journal. Vol. 2 No. 1: 105 – 116.
Emewu, D. A. (2016). Plight and adjustment strategies of widows, in Nigeria: Implications for
Guidance. Journal of Research in Counselling Psychology, 4(4), 99–105
George, I. K Tasie. (2013): “African Widowhood Rites: A Bane or Boom for the African Women?”
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. U S A (2013):155-162.Web. 17
May, 2016.
J. D. Kamatikibiu. Pains and Challenges of Widowhood In Adamawa State, Nigeria. American
Journal of Clinical Research and Reviews, 2017; 1:
Lynne E. Ford and Ti-Grace Atkinson (2009) entry, Encyclopedia of Women and American
Politics, Info base Publishing, January 1, 2009, pp. 40–41,
Ntozi, G. (2003). A Feminist Standpoint Analysis of Maternity and Maternity Leave for Women
with Disabilities. Women and Language. 26 (2): 53–65.
Olanisebe S. O (2016) The plights of widows and widowhood in Nigeria: reflections on 2 kings
4:1-7 Ilorin Journal of Religious Studies, (IJOURELS) Vol.5 No.1, 2015, pp.1-161
Olaniyi, C. M. (2010). Problems of widowhood practice among Nigerian widows (Unpublished
PhD Thesis). Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Sciences.
Okoye, T. E., (2010) ‘The inhuman treatment of widows in African communities’, Current Research
Journal of Social Sciences 4(1), 6–11.
Okonkwo, U. (2011). Problems associated with widowhood as expressed by widows in
Ilorinmetropolis. Masters Dissertation, Ilorin University Nigeria.
Olumukoro, G. (2011) Widows Agony in Africa, Info base Publishing, pp. 40–41, of the bereaved.
Journal of Research in Education and Society, 2 (3), 26-34.
Uche, R.D. (2015). Widowhood Woes: The Bayelsa Experience. Advances in Social
SciencesResearch Journal, 2(12) 65-72.
Ushe, M. U. (2011). The plight of widows in Nigeria: The paradox for traditional counseling of the
bereaved. Journal of Research in Education and Society, 2 (3), 26-34.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back