Attitudes of Male Undergraduate Students Towards Choosing the Female Under/Graduate Students as Marriage Partners Within the Hausa-Folk

Citation: Umar, M. M., Sani, A.-U., & Yahaya, S. (2019). Attitudes of Male Undergraduate Students towards Choosing the Female Under/Graduate Students as Marriage Partners within the Hausa-Folk. In Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 4(1), 1-8. DOI: doi.org/10.9734/AJARR/2019/v4i130102 Available at: http://www.journalajarr.com/index.php/AJARR/article/download/30102/56480/.

Attitudes of Male Undergraduate Students Towards Choosing the Female Under/Graduate Students as Marriage Partners Within the Hausa-Folk

Muhammad Mustapha Umar¹

Abu-Ubaida SANI²

Sumayya YAHAYA³

Abstract

Marriage partner selection, though something very close to us, has not been as simple and straight forward as the name denotes. Rather, it involves a lot of specialty and competence to accomplish. In fact, it has been a very serious and contentious subject of debate. Various factors determine the selection of marriage partners, which vary from a society to another. This study is set to investigate into the attitude of undergraduate male students towards selection of female graduate and or undergraduate students as marriage partners, with the view of ascertaining if level of females’ education in Northern Nigeria (and especially within the Hausa-folk) is a determining variable for a female to be chosen in marriage. The population of the study consists of all the students of the Department of Educational Foundations, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, which equals to 560 students. Total number of 226 students are selected as the sampled population. Moreover, questionnaire is used as the research instrument. The instrument was submitted to experts in the departments of Science and Vocational Education, and Educational Foundations respectively for validity check. However, the findings of the study indicate among others that, male undergraduate students have positive attitudes towards the selection of female under/graduate students as marriage partners. Finally, the research upper some suggestions among which one is that, there should be further study on the attitudes of other Hausas of different socio-economic status towards females’ education.

Keywords: Marriage, Marriage Partner, Attitudes, Hausa-Folk

Background to the Study

Entry upon the role of husband and wife in an institution like marriage depends on being chosen as a life partner (Oguegbe & Onuecheta, 1995). Omari in Sani & Yahaya (2018) saw marriage as the coming together of a man and woman as husband and wife. In African society, marriage is considered to be essential because it protects the morals of the people and discourages adultery and fornication. It makes couple live responsibly, promote peace and harmony among members of a society (Yahaya, 2009). In Nigeria, and within the Hausa folk specifically, it is generally believed that the success of a family largely depends on the relationship between the man and the woman (marital relationship), which is highly dependent on choosing the right spouse. However, selection of marriage partner is one of the most important decision people make during their lifetime. Selection of marriage partner can be as the mental process of selecting amidst other individuals likeable partner in marriage or legal union. O’neil in Oguegbe & Onuecheta, (1995) explained that, education is an important factor in marriage partner choice in many societies. It has been observed that, in a marriage partnery surveys, women consistently express a preference for marriage partners who are of high educational qualification as themselves. Also, Kalmijn in Yahaya & Dandare (2018) revealed that, college graduates prefer to marry college graduates like themselves.

However, this research gets its background from the phenomenon that, marriage is an event of necessity, which the selection of its partner is determined by various factors. One of such factors is education, that brings about the need to study the relationship between education and selection of marriage partner within the Hausa folk. The study will focus on undergraduate students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The result of which could be generalized to other similar situations.

Research Problems

Marriage is considered a phenomenon next to necessity in many societies. It is necessary for the fact that, it is the only means by which a man and a woman come together legally as a husband and a wife. There and then, they form a family by the means of which they produce legal offspring(s), there by maintaining as well as promoting the population of the society in question. However, many factors are considered when selecting a marriage partner. This is for the fact that, marriage is a lifelong event. Within the Hausa-folk, character and personality of a girl is highly considered during the selection. Moreover, among such factors that determine the sharpens the personality of a girl, as held, by the Hausas, is formal education. This could be either positively or otherwise. 

Educated females are sometimes considered too socialized to be easy going in marital homes. Sani and Tsaure (2016) have pointed some gender and marital controversies, which are mainly on the question of equality versus equity. In this regard, it could be noted that, feminist as well as African womanist are mostly graduates. Moreover, family is the first school to a child where as mother is the first teacher (Sani, 2016). In this regard, individuals tend to be very careful in partnerry selection during marriage. With all these therefore, it is worthy to study the relationship between education and selection of marriage partner among the Hausas. 

Research Questions

This research is guided by the following research questions:

i.        What is the attitude of the undergraduate male students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto towards choosing undergraduate female students as marriage partners?

ii.      What are the factors responsible for the positive or negative attitudes of male undergraduate students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto towards the selection of female undergraduate students as their marriage partners?

Objectives of the Study

The central objective of this research is to study the relationship between education and selection of marriage partner amongst the Hausas. However, undergraduate students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto are chosen as experimental group. Hence, the study is specifically concerned with finding:

i.              the attitude of the undergraduate male students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto towards choosing undergraduate female students as marriage partners,

ii.            the factors responsible for the positive or negative attitude of male undergraduate students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto towards the selection of female undergraduate students as their marriage partners,

Marriage and Marriage Market

Marriage can be as: “The act by which a man and a woman unite to discharge their duties towards one another and society. Thus duties, however, which result from the relation of the husband and the wife. The act of union having been once accomplished, the word comes afterward to donate the relation itself” Schouler in Yahaya & Dandare. According to Reiss as quoted by Sani & Yahaya, (2018), marriage is “A socially acceptable union of individuals as husband and wife roles with the key function of legitimating of parenthood”.

By these definitions, it is obvious that marriage is a universal phenomenon, and as institution, it performs almost similar set of functions in different societies. It is the foundation of all social relations of human society. Man is social by nature and cannot live in isolation, but marriage is the only institution, which recognizes and certifies these relationships with legal authority. Therefore, in spite of varied cultural patterns, religious orientations and ethical considerations, significance of marriage is universally accepted.

There is also obvious evidence, which suggests that, marriage market considerations play an important role in students` educational choice. For instance, top universities in the U.S. explicitly advertise to prospective students. The increased probability of finding a high-quality spouse that comes with the admission to their institutions. Gregory refers to Harvard University as the nation’s mosteute dating services. Finally, there is an increasing number of dating websites designed exclusively for the purpose to help students from top universities to find partners from top universities. 

Factors Influencing the Selection of Spouse

There has been the predication that Female undergraduates may have a stronger preference for partners who are college graduates to non-college graduates while male undergraduates indicated that it`s not too important that their partners should be college graduates. However, the process of spouse selection encompasses not just the act of choosing a mate but what really motivates or pushes youngsters into the desire of selecting a spouse. Factors that make this possible were examined the most common among them is the desire to participate in a socially sanctioned, mutually rewarding, intimate relationship.

Mate selection is the most important event in the life of a person. Various factors influence this process globally. They include; educational background, parental influence, religion and occupation. Observations have shown those graduates who marry partners of lower educational level have difficulties in both interpersonal and the public communications as well. This could thus result into problem in the marriage. This is supported by the studies carried out by Kalmijin, (2001) and that of Levi-strauss, (2006). They revealed that the college graduates prepare to marry college graduates like themselves.

In addition, religion is one of the important factors to consider in selection of spouse. The studies carried out by Muhammad in Sani & Yahaya, (2018) presents a popular Muslim dogma called “Bukhari & Muslim” in which prophet Muhammad S.A.W recommended Muslims to select those partners who are best in religion and character: “A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her rank, for her beauty, and for her religion (and character). So, marry the one who is best in religion and character and you shall prosper.” People are expected to marry an individual who shares the same faith with them. Yahaya (2009) submitted in his view that religion is an essential part of a believer’s life.

Methodology

The population of this study is made up of all undergraduate students of the Department of Educational Foundations, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Therefore, the population of the study comprises of four levels (100L to 400L). Nevertheless, the total number of the students is five hundred and sixty-four (564). The population distribution according to levels and courses of the students is presented below in a tabular form:

Table 1: Population of Undergraduate Students in the Department of Educational Foundations, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 2016/2017 Session

                                                                                                                                               

Courses                                  Level                           Males              Females          Total

                                                                                                                                               

B.A. Ed. Arabic                      100                              5                      1                      6         

200                              5                      0                      5

                                                300                              2                      0                      2

                                                400                              8                      2                      10

B.A. Ed. English Lang.           100                              16                    15                    31

                                                200                              25                    19                    44

                                                300                              38                    14                    52

                                                400                              98                    37                    135

B.A. Ed. Hausa Lang.             100                              16                    3                      19

                                                200                              8                     0                      8

                                                300                              9                      1                      10

                                                400                              22                    1                      23

B.A. Ed History                      100                              1                      0                      1

                                                200                              0                      0                      0

                                                300                              0                      0                      0

                                                400                              1                      0                      1

B.A. Ed. Islamic Studies        100                              39                    14                    53

                                                200                              52                    14                    66

                                                300                              23                    2                      25

                                                400                              54                    19                    73

                                                                                                                                               

Total                                       422                  142      564

                                                                                                                                               

Source: UDUS Web Team, (2014)

However, a sample of two hundred and twenty-six (226) students, which represents percent (40%) of the target population, is used to represent the five hundred and sixty-four (564) undergraduate students of the Department of Educational Foundations, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The instrument use for the study is questionnaire. On the questionnaire however, provisions were made to the respondents to choose from amongst yes, no or undecided by simply ticking on any. Thereafter, their opinions are expressed in form of data, which are relevant and subject to further manipulations. The questionnaire is designed in such a way that, items of information required from the respondents are minimal, to enable them appropriately fill and return them accordingly. The questionnaire contains 8 items, which are responded using yes, no or undecided.

To ensure the validity of the instrument, it was submitted to experts at the departments of Science and Vocational Education, and Educational Foundations respectively, for adequate scrutiny and corrections. Their comments were taken carefully into due consideration in areas relevant for success of the research work.

The first research Question

RQ1: Attitude of undergraduate students towards choosing undergraduate as marriage partner?

Table 2. Students’ interest in choosing undergraduate as marriage partner.

                                                                                                                                               

S/N      Item Statements                                                         Yes      No            Undecided

                                                                                                                                               

1. Will you willingly choose an undergraduate

    female student as a marriage partner?                                78%     17%                 5%

2. Would you advice anyone to choose an

    undergraduate female student as a marriage partner?        78%     19%                 3%

           

3. Do you have the plan of marrying a university

    graduate?                                                                            82%     10%                 8%

4. Would you advice and/or support your sister(s)

    and/or daughter(s) to study in the university?                    77%     13%                 10%

                                                                                                                                               

Item 1 in table 2 indicates that 78% of the participants agreed to choose undergraduate as marriage partner willingly. However, item 2 in table 2 shows that 78% of the participants will like to advice anyone to choose an undergraduate as marriage partner, furthermore item 3 in table 2 indicates that 82% of the participants have plan of marrying a university undergraduate. Moreover, item 4 in table 2, indicates that 77% of the participants will like their sisters or daughters to study in the university.

6.3 Second Research Question

RQ2. Factors Responsible for positive or negative attitude towards the selection of undergraduate student as a marriage partner?

The answer to this research question is presented below in tabular form (i.e. table 3)

Table 3: Positive or negative attitude of undergraduate towards choosing a marriage partner

                                                                                                                                               

S/N                  Item Statements                                             Yes      No            Undecided

                                                                                                                                               

1. Do female university graduate fulfill marital

    responsibilities more than other females selected

     as marriage partners?                                                         65%     25%                 11%

2. Are female graduates selected as marriage partners

    arrogant compared to other females who have not

    attended university?                                                            30%     62%                 8%

                       

3. Do female graduates selected as marriage partners

    help their husbands more than other females who

    have not attended university?                                             68%     23%                 9%      

4. Are female graduates selected as marriage partners

    easy going compared to other females who have not

    attended university?                                                            77%     13%                 10%

                                                                                                                                               

Item 1 in table 3 shows that 65% of the participants believes that the university undergraduate fulfills marital responsibilities more than other selected as marriage partners. However, item 2 in table 3 indicates that 62% of the participants believes that undergraduate partners are not arrogant compared to others who have not attended university. Moreover, item 3 in table 3 indicates that 68% of the participants believes that the university graduate selected as marriage partners help their partners more than others who have not attended university. Furthermore, item 4 in table indicates that 60% of the participants believe that the undergraduates selected as marriage partners are not easy going compared to those who have not attended university.

6.4 Summary of the Major Findings

1.      Majority of male undergraduate students of the Department of Educational Foundation, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto have positive attitudes towards choosing female undergraduate students as marriage partners. 

2.      There are factors responsible for positive attitudes of the male undergraduate students towards selection of female undergraduates as marriage partners, which among others include, fulfilment of marital responsibilities (thus, university graduates fulfil marital responsibilities more than wives who did not attend university education).

6.5 Discussion of the Research Findings

Among the Hausas, girls’ formal education is not much encouraged. This may be due to the cultural bounded division of labor existing in the Hausa societies, as indicated by CCF, (2009). For the fact that formal education is considered manly, girls that attended higher schools, especially universities usually face challenges regarding marriage. Hence, western education generally is not adequately supported among the Hausas. This has to do with the Hausas perception of the educational system as being contrary to their cultural norms and ethics.

Contrarily, the data obtained from this study shows that, undergraduate students have positive attitudes towards choosing such females (who attended higher education) as marriage partners. This is as indicated in item 1 of table 2, where 78% of the respondents are on this stand. More so, 82 of the respondents have the plan of marrying university graduates. As earlier noted by Levi-strauss, (2006) that graduates who marry partners of lower educational level have difficulties in both interpersonal and the public communications as well; this is likely the reason of the positive attitudes of the male undergraduate students in choosing female undergraduates as marriage partners. This is contrary to the findings of Koehler (2005) who established that male undergraduates indicated that it is not too important that their partners should be graduates.

Similarly, the fact that 77% of the respondents supports females’ education indicates their positive attitudes towards selection of females graduates as marriage partners. This is as indicated under item 4 of table 2. However, noting that the population of the study consists of undergraduate students, this result shall not be a conclusion regarding the topic. There should be further studies dealing with the respondents’ educational as well as socio-economical influence (as variables) on the findings of the study. Therefore, further research should be carried out taking care of other factors such as influence of character, education, economic status, family background, parental influence, culture and ethnicity as it affects selection of spouse.

However, table 3 takes us through the possible reasons of positive attitudes of undergraduate students towards choosing female undergraduates as marriage partners. Item 1 in the table 3 shows that wife graduates fulfill marital responsibilities more than wives who did not attend higher schools. Similarly, such wives (graduates) support their husbands considerably, as affirmed by 68% of the respondents in item 3 of table 4. As noted by Welten & Iloyd (2000) in Sani & Yahaya (2018) that, desire to participate in a socially sanctioned, mutually rewarding, intimate relationship is the most common factor that determined the selection of marriage partners. Hence, there is every reason for the respondents’ preference of choosing female undergraduates as marriage partners. 

Here, the researchers proffer suggestions that may prove to be instrumental in future research on choice of spouse. First and foremost, they advocate that research be carried out on this topic extensively and should include factors such as religious faith, cohabitation and self-esteem and their influence on choice of spouse. Also, the researchers suggest that the study be replicated using a larger of participants and involving students from several faculties.

6.6 Conclusion

Marriage has been a global phenomenon as the only means by which man and woman come together as legal partners, differences in the processes involved notwithstanding. Marriage partner selection is usually a careful and determined process. It is in fact a strive towards selection a partner with whose support, a better life is expected. Factors considered therefore for such choice includes personality and interest alongside other physical and social characteristics. Within the Hausa folk however, a girl’s character is a highly regarded factor in the process of marriage. Consequently, western education is considered unfit for girls. Hence, Hausa girls who attended higher schools, especially universities, are considered too exposed and generally feminist. Contrarily though, the result obtained from this study shows that, male undergraduate students have positive attitudes towards their (females’) education. This study therefore suggests further studies to investigate into:

i.                    The attitude of other Hausas of different socio-economic status towards females’ education,

ii.                  The effect, which such attitude could have on their academic achievements and

iii.                The future of females’ education in days to come.

References

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