Abstract

Background: Divorce and marital instability have become pressing social concerns in many Nigerian communities, with far reaching implications for individuals, families, and communal life. In Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where marriage is culturally sacred and divorce is socially stigmatized, the dissolution of marriage raises profound emotional, economic, and moral questions.

Methods: This study adopted a case study approach to examine the effects of marital breakdown on spouses, children, and the wider community in Ikwo. Data were drawn from contextual observations and documented experiences within the locality, with attention to cultural and religious norms that shape perceptions of marriage and divorce.

Results: The findings indicate that divorce generates significant emotional trauma for affected spouses, often accompanied by psychological distress and social withdrawal. Among children, marital instability is associated with behavioural challenges and declining academic performance. Economically, single parent households experience heightened financial strain, which further deepens vulnerability. At the communal level, persistent marital crises weaken social cohesion and challenge established moral and religious values within the traditional Ikwo context, where divorce carries strong stigma.

Conclusion: Marital breakdown in Ikwo has multidimensional consequences that extend beyond the couple to the entire community. The study underscores the necessity for proactive interventions such as structured premarital counselling, continuous marital education, and community based social support mechanisms to mitigate the adverse effects of divorce and strengthen family stability.