THE IMPACT OF FEMINIST LEGAL REFORMS ON MARITAL COMMITMENT AND SINGLE MOTHERHOOD TRENDS IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF LAGOS FAMILY LAW

Background of the Study

Feminist legal reforms have significantly contributed to changing societal norms, particularly in areas related to marriage, family life, and women’s rights. In Nigeria, where marriage is a central institution in social and cultural life, legal reforms aimed at promoting gender equality have had a profound impact on marital commitment and family structures. These reforms, influenced by feminist ideologies, seek to address issues such as women’s rights to property, child custody, and maintenance after divorce.

Lagos, as Nigeria's commercial and legislative capital, has been at the forefront of legal reforms aimed at improving the rights of women in marriage and family life. This study will explore how feminist legal reforms in Lagos, particularly in family law, have impacted marital commitment and trends in single motherhood. The research will assess whether these legal changes have contributed to the decline in marriage commitment or if they have helped to create a more equitable environment for women, ultimately influencing trends in single motherhood.

 

Statement of the Problem

While feminist legal reforms in Lagos have been instrumental in promoting gender equality in family law, their impact on marital commitment and single motherhood trends remains underexplored. This study will investigate the effects of feminist legal reforms on marriage stability and the rise in single motherhood, particularly in Lagos, where legal changes are most pronounced.

 

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the impact of feminist legal reforms on marital commitment in Lagos.

To assess how feminist legal reforms in Lagos have influenced trends in single motherhood.

To explore the relationship between legal reforms in family law and the broader social implications for marriage and family life in Lagos.

 

Research Questions

How have feminist legal reforms in Lagos affected marital commitment?

What impact have these reforms had on the rise of single motherhood in Lagos?

How do feminist legal reforms in family law contribute to changing societal views on marriage and family structures?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it provides an in-depth analysis of how feminist legal reforms, particularly in Lagos, have influenced marriage stability and family dynamics. Understanding the impact of these reforms on single motherhood and marital commitment will help policymakers, gender activists, and legal professionals refine laws that address women’s rights while maintaining the stability of family structures. The findings will contribute to the broader discourse on the role of legal reforms in shaping modern Nigerian family life.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on Lagos and will examine feminist legal reforms related to family law, particularly their impact on marital commitment and single motherhood. The research will be limited to Lagos and will not explore the effects of similar reforms in other Nigerian regions. The study will focus on the legal and social implications of these reforms and will not address the psychological or emotional effects on individuals.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Feminist legal reforms: Legal changes aimed at promoting gender equality, particularly in areas such as marriage, divorce, property rights, and child custody.

Marital commitment: The emotional and legal commitment to remain faithful to a spouse, often involving loyalty, trust, and the maintenance of the marital relationship.

Single motherhood: The condition of a mother raising her child independently, without the support or involvement of a partner.

 

References

Okafor, I. J. (2021). Feminist legal reforms and their impact on marital commitment in Lagos. Journal of Nigerian Family Law, 22(3), 98-110. Retrieved from https://www.jnfl.org/feminist-legal-reforms-marital-commitment

Adebayo, M. S. (2020). The rise of single motherhood in Lagos: Impact of feminist legal reforms. Nigerian Journal of Social Policy, 19(2), 56-69. Retrieved from https://www.njsp.org/feminist-legal-reforms-single-motherhood