AVOIDING FAMILY DISPUTE IN TIMES LIKE THIS

                                                   

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AVOIDING FAMILY DISPUTE IN TIMES LIKE THIS

Family dispute often lead to domestic abuse and violence from husband against his wife or from the wife against her husband. However, in the prevailing economic downturn around the world, where an average man could hardly meet the needs of his family members, particularly that of his wife; the domestic abuse is most likely to come from the wife. If the situation is not properly handled by the man it may lead to constant humiliation and nagging from the wife which may result in serious psychological depression for the man.

It is also important to note that this financial pressure may lead to avoidable provocation which may force the man to physically abuse the wife by pushing, slapping or beating. However, where the demand tension becomes unbearable, it is advisable for the man to take a walk for few hours away from home.

The patriarchal role of the man being the family head has also put so much responsibility and pressure on him to meet the needs of his family. Meeting family needs with or without the support of the wife could sometimes be an uphill task for the man, particularly at times like this.

The world economy has been very unfavorable in the past two years if not more, affecting virtually every country of the globe in diverse ways. The effect is globally felt across board. However, the impact is more pronounced in the developing economies as we have in the continent of Africa. Most African countries are consuming nations, importing most of their consumable items. This status has put much pressure on the foreign exchange of such countries with after effect of high inflationary rate. In Nigeria for instance, the local currency exchanges for as high as Seven hundred Naira to one US Dollar.

In addition to this high exchange rate, more than 10 Nigerian States are currently owing workers salary. At the Federal level also, all tertiary institutions have been on strike for close to six months due to some unresolved labour dispute between the Federal government and all the University-based Unions. This workers strike has led to the application of the principle of “No work, no pay” by the Federal government. It means in effect, that all workers in these institutions have been without salaries close to six months and still counting.

Many families are currently facing a groaning hardship of living. An average man, as the family head could hardly meet these day-to-day needs appropriately. It therefore becomes necessary to adopt an appropriate psychological approach to this issue, particularly by the man.

To avoid family dispute relating to dwindling income of the man, coupled with ever increasing cost of living, the first step for the man is to quickly source for alternative means of generating new income or additional income. This is very necessary where this opportunity is available, no matter how comparatively meager it may be. The second step that could be taken by the man is to financially open to his wife more than ever before. In this regard, he should let his spouse know what he has and what he can afford at any given time. This would reduce the pressure of indiscriminate demands with the belief that he has an undisclosed substantial sum of money.

Another approach is to seek his wife’s support in this crucial time. The support could be by asking her to suggest ways they can cut the family expenses at large. He could also make a promise that if she expend any money on issues or items which ordinarily could have been expended by the man; that such monies would be refunded to her in due course.

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