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Christianity and Marriage in Africa Christianity and Marriage in Africa The Perspective of Christian Men in Ghana Abraham Twene Supervisor Jan Olav Henriksen, Professor MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, AVH5035: Thesis for Master’s in Religion, Society and Global Issues (60 ECTS), Autumn 2019 Word count: 37112 Acknowledgement Writing a first-time master thesis has been a challenging moment. However, it has been the combined effort and motivation of personalities in making the study a success. First, a very big thank you to God for His protection and guidance in my academic works. Also, my appreciation to my lovely kids; Judith and Darian who have partly been the motivation for joy in life even in challenging moments. Finally, maximum thanks to my supervisor; Professor Jan Olav Henriksen for his patience, support, and guidance. I am most grateful for the wonderful supervision. ii Abstract Christianity is growing on the African continent yet, most of the Christians prefer Traditional African marriage practices to Christian marriage practices. The relevance of marriage for church growth and social development requires a good understanding of people especially men’s perception on marriage as Christians. 12 male Christians were interviewed to explore their views on marriage in the Ghanaian society. The study goal at outlining the perception of male Christians about marriage to their belief systems. The research is a qualitative study that employed purposive sampling and semi-structured interview to explore African men's perception of marriage as Africans and Christians in the Ghanaian context. It was found that, although most African men identify themselves as Christians, it is very challenging for them to adopt Christian marriage practice. The challenge is exposed to be higher among Catholic Christian men due to a stricter doctrine on marriage. iii Table of contents 1 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ..............................................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement. ..................................................................................................3 1.3 Focus Area and Research Objectives ........................................................................6 1.4 Research Material .....................................................................................................8 1.5 Overview of Research Methodology .........................................................................9 1.6 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................9 1.7 Structure of the Thesis ............................................................................................ 10 2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................. 11 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 11 2.2 Cultural Challenge to Faith and Marriage ............................................................... 12 2.3 African Traditional Marriage .................................................................................. 15 2.3.1 The Traditional value of marriage in Africa. .................................................... 17 2.3.2 the Identity of Marriage and men in Africa ...................................................... 20 2.4 Christianity and Marriage; Biblical and Historical Foundation of Marriage ............ 21 2.4.1 The Roman Catholic View on Marriage........................................................... 23 2.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 24 3 THEORY AND LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................... 26 3.1 Theoretical Framework........................................................................................... 26 3.2 Marriage, Sex, and Morality in Africa .................................................................... 28 3.3 The Value of Marriage and the new challenge ........................................................ 30 4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .......................................................... 33 4.1 Design and Strategy ................................................................................................ 33 4.2 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 34 iv 4.3 Validity of the Research ......................................................................................... 36 4.4 Ethical considerations ............................................................................................. 37 5 RESEARCH FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 38 5.1 What Men Expect in Marriage ................................................................................ 39 5.1.1 Childbearing .................................................................................................... 39 5.1.2 Sexual Gratification ......................................................................................... 42 5.1.3 Support and Companionship ............................................................................ 44 5.1.4 Social Status .................................................................................................... 46 5.1.5 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 47 5.2 Men’s Desire and Marriage Choices ....................................................................... 48 5.2.1 Cultural Influences .......................................................................................... 48 5.2.2 Religious Influences ........................................................................................ 52 5.3 Why the Preference for Customary Marriage .......................................................... 59 5.3.1 Flexibility of Customary Marriage ................................................................... 60 5.3.2 Social Experiences .......................................................................................... 63 5.3.3 Modernity and Cost of Marriage ...................................................................... 65 6 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................. 67 6.1 The Perception of Men on Marriage ....................................................................... 67 6.1.1 Preferential Expectations of African Christian Men in Marriage ...................... 73 6.1.2 The Manifestation of Men’s Desire in Marriage choices .................................. 77 6.1.3 The implicit Importance of the Customary Marriage. ....................................... 80 6.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 88 6.3 Recommendations for Further Studies .................................................................... 90 References ............................................................................................................................ 92 Attachment ........................................................................................................................... 98 Interview Guide ................................................................................................................ 98 v 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Marriage is a long journey! It goes beyond what is publicly observe at the ceremonies. There are other important actors in a marriage besides the couple. A good relationship with in-laws sustains marriage and make it a success. Woman, be ‘opened’ to your “new husband” and satisfy him with all his pleasure so that he does not go for external affairs. Also, take good care of the home as an ideal woman. If you get fortunes, bring them to your parents but if you get misfortunes, keep them to your husband. Man; take care of your wife and make her beautiful like other women. May God and our ancestors bless you with the fruit of her womb to make your marriage a success. The above quotation is the famous pieces of advice mostly offered to a man and a woman when getting married in Ghana, especially in the Akan societies. The statements contain gender constructed roles and responsibilities of a man and a woman in marriage, the nature of marriage in the Ghanaian context, and the importance of marriage. Women's status in marriage is portrayed to be conditional on what she offers her husband. Also, the usage of the term "new husband" implies that, in African society and like elsewhere in the world, there could be another form of relationship between a man and a woman that is not accepted as marriage. The experiences as a Ghanaian and few encounters with people of Western decent has showcased distinct values and belief patterns about marriage across the globe. To Africans/Ghanaians, love which is vital in marriage in the Western societies means the state of meeting material needs of children, parents, spouse and close relatives while success is identified to include marriage, children, social recognition and contribution to society (Annabella et al., 2018). Therefore, what is valued and cherished by people in marriage in most African societies
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