THE EFFECT OF MARITAL CONFLICTS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS:
A CASE STUDY OF ESAN CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE
ABSTRACT
This research project on marital conflict is aimed at scamming the issue of marital conflict on the academic performance of students in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. These problems that bring about marital conflict is attributed to lack of understanding among couples, poverty, background, social influence, early marriage etc. all these have their consequences which are fighting, quarrelling, maltreatment, emotional stress, neglect, lack of family affection, being away from home which has resulted to a great number of divorces and separation. As a result, the aim is to look into the issue of marital conflicts. A questionnaire of about nineteen (19) items were used for research and the population was taken from three towns which are Irrua, Ujibhole, Ugbegun village. Findings show that many couples or married couples find it difficult to cope with problem when it arises which led to misunderstanding between another. It was also discovered that third party also brings marital conflicts. Research also shows that couples are able to train their children in the way they should from the result of findings, recommendation include the married couples and the intending to marry should be given counselling. Social competition should be avoided being content with what one has etc. this should be done by experts like Rev. fathers, experienced married couples and social welfare officers. The counsellors should not limit their services only to those in urban areas and they can visit the couples at convenient times of both the counsellor and the couples.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE  
Introduction
Background of the study
Statement of problem
Significance of the study
Research questions
Scope of study
Assumptions
Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
Review of related literature
CHAPTER THREE
Method of study
Research design
Population of study
Sample and sampling technique
Instrumentation
Validation and reliability
Method of data collection
Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR          
Presentation, and discussion of the results
CHAPTER FIVE  
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
REFERENCES     
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
          The effect of marital conflict on the academic performance of students (a case study of Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. Marital relationships exist between a man and a woman when the two of them agree to live together and to establish their own family and live together until the end of their lives or till death separates them. Hornby (1978) said that marriage is a union of man and a woman as husband and wife, most societies establish certain procedure and activities that must be followed before a marital relationship between a man and a woman can take place. These procedures include a period of courtship, the introduction of the man to the woman and vice versa. There will be a marital dowry. All these are done to make the marital relationship a lasting and happy one. But all these notwithstanding, one finds that some marital relationship do not go along well with each other. Even though they had made a serious vow to live happily together either by the church or the traditional rite.
          Conflicts occur in all human societies but, it occurs in various degrees, marital conflict is that situation between man and woman. This is where husband and wife have different opinion about issues, events or activities which cannot be mutually resolved. Marital conflict usually arises mostly due to lack of understanding between the man and the woman. This comes in different ways such as difference in education and social backgrounds, physical maintenance, love making, extra marital affairs.
          As people become more educated and society becomes more enlightened one expects the frequency of marital conflicts to reduce but ironically, the reverse has been the case. The divorce rate has been on the increase, this project work attempts to examine conflicts, and suggest ways of reducing their rate of occurrence.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
          One wonders why our society has remained passively perplexed and helpless to the high increase of divorce rate which is a result and effect of marital conflicts in most societies, it was still in the tradition for parents to choose marital partners for their children. This has been one of the major causes of marital conflict and possibly divorce because the spouses are not opportune to know and understand themselves before getting married.
          The rate of divorce in our locality is increasing because many get into marriage without been matured enough for it. This again is another factor of marital conflict in the society. In this, they have no experiences that guide them in the marriage institution. In the case of this research, many questions that related to marital conflict would be asked and these include
•        Is there any way to reduce or resolved those conflicts so as to reduce divorce rates?
•        When could marital conflicts generate problems in the home?
•        Who are those affected by these conflicts?
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
          The objectives of this study are many.
1.     To examine the influence of social influence, taste and competitive living.
2.     To find out the serve consequences of early marriage as it leads to divorce and separation (man and woman going into it unprepared).
3.     To find out whether pressure from family members can lead to marital conflict.
4.     To find out the effect of marital conflicts on the child academic performance.
5.     To investigate into the areas of conflicts among married couple or people to be able to solve its sources of conflict.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
     The following research questions are therefore formulated
1.     Do marital conflicts bring about broken homes?
2.     Does inability of family head to meet up with assumed social status may affect the child’s academic performance?
3.     Does immaturity of couples cause marital conflict?
4.     Do students from divorced home often isolate themselves from children of stable home?
5.     Does marital conflict has any effect in families?
6.     Does marital conflict expose the children to bad influence?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
          The importance of this study is that the society as a whole will stand to benefit greatly in the sense that, it will aim at bringing out the effects marital conflict people in the society will have less marital and psychological problems and as such, they will be able to contribute their maximum potential to the benefit of the community. This research will help the members of the society to know those things that bring about marital conflicts between married people so as to avoid divorce. And also quest to keep a simple eye and avoid competitive living.
SCOPE OF STUDY
          The scope of the study covers the geographical location of the following town, Irrua, Ewu, Ugbegun Ujiabhole and Opoji. To start with, it was not easy getting enough funds. The researcher also had difficulties in collecting information because the people concerned felt reluctant to give useful information and time to attend to us. And the belief to keep secret family issues to only family members.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Marital: Connected with marriage or with the relationship between a husband and wife.
Conflict: A situation in which people or countries are involved in a serious disagreement ort arguments.
Information: Facts of details about somebody or something.
Divorce: A separation, the ending of a relationship
Society: People in general living together in communities.
Couple Two people who are seen together especially if they are married or in a romantic or sexual relationship.
Marriage: The legal relationship between a husband and a wife
Academic: Connected with education especially studying in school and universities
Performance: How well or badly you do something or work,
Family: A group consisting of one or two parents their children and close relations.