The absentee spouse phenomenon and spousal coping strategies in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Major incentives for marriage and family life are cohabitation, companionship, control economics and regular coital relationships for both procreation and pleasure. When spouses absent from home over a prolonged repeated period, it poses threat to expectations of family relations with implications for population and society. It is against this backdrop that this article examined the Determinants of Absentee Spouse Phenomenon and Spousal Coping Strategies in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria. Primary (questionnaires, IDIs and KIIs) and secondary data were gathered. Findings revealed that ASP is becoming rampant in Nigeria and involves both men and women; but mostly men within the framework of traditional African masculinity and breadwinnerism. Sixty-eight percent (68.1%) of the respondents maintained main cause of ASP is economic (employment and business).The outcomes of the ASP on the children, the spouses, the marriage as well as the spousal coping mechanisms were engaged in this article

Gender differences in lifestyles and perception of megamall patrons in Ibadan, Nigeria

The development of megamalls in Nigeria and other developing nations has witnessed tremendous impact, giving people choices of places for goods reasonably and relatively affordable. Women have been at the forefront of shopping activities due to their presence more at the shopping malls. This study aims to ascertain gender differences in lifestyles and perceptions of mall patrons in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design with 216 respondents accidentally selected from 5 shopping malls in the Ibadan metropolis. Descriptive statistics of frequency distribution table was used for analysis, while independent sample t-test was used for further statistical analysis. Findings reveal that even though men visit the malls, it is more for recreational activities, while women, on the other hand, view shopping malls as a to purchase goods, meet new people, and enjoy the beautiful ambience it offers. This reveals an average level perception of megamalls by its users. Furthermore, a significant difference was found between male and female shopping malls patronage. The mall is also seen as more of centre where buying and selling take place. Therefore, it was recommended that there be a general reorientation to refute the idea that the male gender seldom patronises shopping malls and makes purchases. They should be treated as viable customers like their female counterparts to ensure megamall sustainability in Ibadan Nigeria

Factors Underlying the Success of Megamalls Over Small Shop Retailing in Ibadan Metropolis

Megamalls reflect the social and cultural environment, and have to a large extent, imbibe modernity attributes. It pursues the status of 'global product' and is mainly global. Often, individuals visit the megamall to search for various items at various times of the day, week, or year. Megamalls offer a secluded and easy perfect life in a city center. This study aims at understanding the underlying factors responsible for the success of mega shopping malls over small scale retail outlets in Ibadan metropolis. The study was anchored on modernization theory; a qualitative and quantitative method was combined to collect data from 222 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages and content analysis for the qualitative data. Findings show that megamall is increasing in Nigeria, but existing small shops languish in low patronage and sales. Their appearance in the city's structure has attracted people's attention in terms of resemblance in urban centers with social relations in a different organisation that embraces modern life components. It was also found that the essence of megamall originated from the variable choices of people, the growth of residential locations, household income increased, increased acquaintance to different lifestyles, improved consumer aspirations, double-income families, conducive and serene environment. Also, safety and a secure environment, an exhibition of ostentatious lifestyles, friendly customer care services, and one-stop shopping are the major factors underlying megamalls' success over small shops in the Ibadan metropolis. Ultimately, this study shows that megamalls are subsuming small shops retailing every standard and measure with every tool and strategy at their disposal. Therefore, it was recommended that there is a need for more megamalls as it provides people with convenient purchasing, beautifying the environment, and booming the economy without neglecting adequate grants, loans, and other necessary supports for small shop retailing systems. This will contribute immensely to society's sustainable development and boost the economy locally

Shopaholic Phenomenon, Choice of Shopping Place and the Development of Megamalls in Ibadan, Nigeria

Shopping activities in the 21st century are taking a social dimension rather than mere commercial activities. This is evident in the importance of consumer attachment to shopping and choice of shopping place, which necessitated the increase in the number of megamalls in many cities globally, including Nigeria. This study examined the shopaholic phenomenon, choice of shopping place, and the development of megamalls in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was empirical using both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection. Two hundred sixteen copies of the questionnaire were administered to mall customers, while an In-depth interview was conducted for six mall operators cut across malls in Ibadan. Statistical Package for Social Sciences using frequency tables, percentages, and histogram charts was used for analysis. The study revealed that most respondents choose Megamall as their shopping place, and there is a connection between the shopaholic phenomenon, choice of shopping place, and the development of megamalls. The conducive and serene environment which megamalls portray has wooed many customers in the urban areas to choose it as their priority as it concerns shopping, and that has gone a long way to enhance the development and sustainability of megamalls in Nigeria. Most customers patronize malls because of their innate love of shopping, ostentatious life, and showy life to impress friends and well-wishers. The glamour and fascination that megamalls display cannot be gotten in retail shops or open markets. Customers are delighted with their experiences in the megamalls that account for their continued patronage of the megamalls over other shopping alternatives

Romanticizing pregnancy:When motherhood becomes a malady

Regarding treasures, babies emerge as divine gifts, exuding beauty that transcends words. Their delicate features and tender innocence evoke an indescribable admiration. However, understanding the physiological and biological processes that go into giving birth makes it clear that childbirth is traumatic. But why do women make childbirth and motherhood strolls in the park? Is there a fear, perhaps, that being honest diminishes the beauty of being a mother? Can the two things not be true—that it is traumatic to give birth and beautiful to bring a human being into the world? In romanticizing this process, is society not setting parameters for the shunning and shaming of women who experience problems like post-partum depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from childbirth? Is the romanticized narrative around childbirth and even motherhood, not a foundation on which shaming women who dare to say “I wanted to die rather than go through the birth” or “I want a break from my child” is built? This qualitative study investigated 64 mothers and would-be mothers in Lagos State about their pregnancy expectations. Mothers, drawn from a mix of socioeconomic ethnic and backgrounds agreed that truths and realities about pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are often masked or infrequently discussed in the motherhood narrative. It is also common to hear mothers speak about how great their children are, and rarely can one ever hear women talk about traumas of childbirth that are dangerous and have significant effects or impact on women’s quality of life.</p

“It still recognises race” politics of marriage and challenge of social cohesion among South Africa undergraduates

South Africa is a country plagued by several racial challenges in almost all spheres of its activities. While, in recent years, the South Africa government have initiated programs aimed at promoting social cohesion, not much has been done in the area of interracial marriage. Yet intermarriage has been regarded as both a final test of integration and willingness of a person to lose his/her racial identification. Although some people contended that with the end of apartheid two decades ago, South Africa youth endogamy or marriage based on should be a thing of the past, studies to either confirm or refute this contention are scanty. This study, therefore, was an attempt to assess the attitudes of South Africa undergraduate students towards inter-racial marriage. The study indicated that racial endogamy is still common in South Africa, furthermore that few students are more likely to approve of the interracial marriage and the youths exhibited a conservative attitude toward interracial marriage. The study recommended that Inter-racial marriage by students and youths should be encouraged as it would likely foster social cohesion and invigorate and promote peaceful co-existence and encourage the much needed social cohesion among the people of South Africa.Keywords: Racial Identification, Inter-Racial Marriage, Endogamy, South Afric

Romanticizing pregnancy:When motherhood becomes a malady

Regarding treasures, babies emerge as divine gifts, exuding beauty that transcends words. Their delicate features and tender innocence evoke an indescribable admiration. However, understanding the physiological and biological processes that go into giving birth makes it clear that childbirth is traumatic. But why do women make childbirth and motherhood strolls in the park? Is there a fear, perhaps, that being honest diminishes the beauty of being a mother? Can the two things not be true—that it is traumatic to give birth and beautiful to bring a human being into the world? In romanticizing this process, is society not setting parameters for the shunning and shaming of women who experience problems like post-partum depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from childbirth? Is the romanticized narrative around childbirth and even motherhood, not a foundation on which shaming women who dare to say “I wanted to die rather than go through the birth” or “I want a break from my child” is built? This qualitative study investigated 64 mothers and would-be mothers in Lagos State about their pregnancy expectations. Mothers, drawn from a mix of socioeconomic ethnic and backgrounds agreed that truths and realities about pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are often masked or infrequently discussed in the motherhood narrative. It is also common to hear mothers speak about how great their children are, and rarely can one ever hear women talk about traumas of childbirth that are dangerous and have significant effects or impact on women’s quality of life.</p

Factors underlying the success of Megamalls over small shop retailing in Ibadan Metropolis

Megamalls reflect the social and cultural environment, and have to a large extent, imbibe modernity attributes. It pursues the status of 'global product' and is mainly global. Often, individuals visit the megamall to search for various items at various times of the day, week, or year. Megamalls offer a secluded and easy perfect life in a city center. This study aims at understanding the underlying factors responsible for the success of mega shopping malls over small scale retail outlets in Ibadan metropolis. The study was anchored on modernization theory; a qualitative and quantitative method was combined to collect data from 222 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages and content analysis for the qualitative data. Findings show that megamall is increasing in Nigeria, but existing small shops languish in low patronage and sales. Their appearance in the city's structure has attracted people's attention in terms of resemblance in urban centers with social relations in a different organisation that embraces modern life components. It was also found that the essence of megamall originated from the variable choices of people, the growth of residential locations, household income increased, increased acquaintance to different lifestyles, improved consumer aspirations, double-income families, conducive and serene environment. Also, safety and a secure environment, an exhibition of ostentatious lifestyles, friendly customer care services, and one-stop shopping are the major factors underlying megamalls' success over small shops in the Ibadan metropolis. Ultimately, this study shows that megamalls are subsuming small shops retailing every standard and measure with every tool and strategy at their disposal. Therefore, it was recommended that there is a need for more megamalls as it provides people with convenient purchasing, beautifying the environment, and booming the economy without neglecting adequate grants, loans, and other necessary supports for small shop retailing systems. This will contribute immensely to society's sustainable development and boost the economy locally