Pentecostalism and the management of spousal violence among Benin Women of Edo State, Nigeria
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sociology and Anthroplogy, Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
The study sought to understand Pentecostalism and the management of spousal violence among Benin women of Edo State Nigeria. The study also assessed how Pentecostal churches manage the incidences of spousal violence among her female members. It identified the forms of social, spiritual or psychological supports women receive from Pentecostal churches. It also appraised how adequate are these supports in the light of those who benefited from such services.
Exploratory research design was adopted in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted across the study targets. In all, a total of thirty two interview sessions were conducted in the study location. Twenty four interviews were conducted with the women; seven interviews with the Pastors and one interview with the Coordinator of SOTHAWACA selected for the study. The selected Pentecostal churches based on Gaiya (2002) typology of Nigerian Pentecostal churches are: Miracle, Prosperity, Faith and Holiness Pentecostal churches. Omega Fire Ministry International is “miracle” focused. The Church of God Mission is a “prosperity” preaching Pentecostal church. Redeemed Christian Church of God is a “faith based” Pentecostal church while; the Deeper Life Bible Church is under “holiness” teaching church. Benin City was purposively selected because it is renowned as the crucible for Pentecostalism movement in Nigeria. Field data was presented using Z-Y index tables while content analysis was used for the analysis of data.
The findings revealed that Pentecostal churches manage the incidences of spousal violence through the marriage and counselling committee in collaboration with the Pastors when they mediate by counselling and praying for the abused and the abuser. It was observed that there are taboos in Benin that restricts women from speaking out against violence and divorce is not an option during violence. Likewise, Pentecostal doctrine also preaches submission of the woman to the authority of the man. Most women did not admit the existence of spousal violence in the church basically because they sworn before the altar ‘to hold and to cherish, in sickness and in health … till death do them part’. The findings also revealed that the main identifiable form of support that victims of spousal violence received from the Pentecostal church is the spiritual support. Prayer was seen as the solution to all marital problems. However, some women claimed that they also received some kind of emotional support from the “women meetings” which they attended during the week. In the same vein, the marriage and counselling committee of the church also showed care and love to the victims of spousal violence. Furthermore, it was revealed from the findings that the adequacy of the forms of support showed when an abused or abuser exhibited some level of commitment to church activities.
The study concluded that spousal violence can be managed among Benin women of Edo State by using the Christian beliefs and doctrines of Pentecostalism.
Description
xvi,113p
Keywords
Spousal violence, Violence, Pentecostalism, Christian beliefs
Citation
Agholor, N.H (2016). Pentecostalism and the management of spousal violence among Benin Women of Edo State, Nigeria. Obafemi Awolowo University