On polygamy, our data reveal that 141 (74.6%) women were in a
monogamous marriage, while 48 (25.4%) women were in a polygamous marriage.
However, the border between monogamous and polygamous marriages appeared to be
uncertain, because a monogamous marriage may become polygamous at any time, as
we learned from the interviews. So, even though three quarters of marriages in our
case study are monogamous, women’s marriage may change over time from one
category to the other category, sometimes without the first wife even knowing of her
husband’s new marriage arrangements. Indeed, we found that out of the 189 married
women, 20 (11%) experienced their husband taking another wife over the past six
months.
The second family norm that came up in the case study is about the division
of unpaid work over household members. When asked whether they expect help from
their husbands, 53% of the women said that they did not expect any help (except for
some repair work). Table 5 presents data on the distribution of unpaid work in the
household per task, according to the women. It shows that in all categories, the
husbands’ contribution is much lower than that of other household members.
Husbands share between 0% and 29% in various household tasks (11% on average).
Other household members provide unpaid work more often, between 51% and 89%
of the help. Husbands’ help in cleaning is completely absent, and below ten percent
for cooking and water collection. When husbands do help, this is mostly on repairs,
yet, others help more often here. This also suggests that the norms about masculine
and feminine unpaid work are quite strong – even when a woman finds herself
without any help from others in these tasks, husbands are very reluctant to share in
the workload. The quotes below illustrate the strength of the norm of women’s
responsibility for unpaid work. There is also an example of an exception – caused by
the absence of daughters – in which sons carry out some “feminine” tasks, but not
their father.

Aloy+Emeka:

It may be better to advise Yoruba women to up the ante in education first. When education is there, poverty will go through the window and they will be more independent.

asha 80:

i do not think a lot of yoruba women see polygamy as something bad.You see highly educcated yoruba women becoming 2 and 3 wives of various rich men and otunbas.

Ileke-IdI:

My point exactly. Yoruba women are highly educated, so education has nothing to do with polygamy.

For some women who do see it as a problem have ended up divorcing their husband. This plays a key role in divorce cases in YL.
And for those who see it as a problem, I suggest they keep divorcing. Why sit around and let your husband marry 3 wives after you?

Ileke-IdI:

My point exactly. Yoruba women are highly educated, so education has nothing to do with polygamy.

For some women who do see it as a problem have ended up divorcing their husband. This plays a key role in divorce cases in YL.
And for those who see it as a problem, I suggest they keep divorcing. Why sit around and let your husband marry 3 wives after you?

asha 80:

when money is rolling in from rich men?sex or attention can always be gotten from outside now.

Aloy+Emeka:

Yoruba women are highly educated compared to what ethnic group in Southern Nigeria?. Highly educated is relative and in Southern Nigeria, Yoruba women are the least educated and that may be why they still allow polygamy to thrive. Religion is also a factor, muslim Yoruba women do not see anything wrong with polygamy. You say that education has nothing to do with polygamy, well you are an oaf because you should have figured out that education is the common denominator to better living standard and when the women are uneducated in drones, their standard of living is very poor.

Look at Yoruba men staying highly educated and uptight; why can't the women enslave themselves for Yoruba men since they have the wherewithal to do so and have more advanced psyche due to education. Please grow up and accept the truth.

And FYI: when you talk about illiterate Yoruba women, Ekiti women are number 1.

Ileke-IdI:

Lol true. But not for all cases.
Would it be too farfetched to claim that 95% of nigeria's problem starts with money?

emmatok:

@ Ileke-IdI

Are you Investigating Divorce Cases In Yorubaland or Polygamy ?

Because they are two different issues.

As for polygamy most Yoruba women especially the EDUCATED ONES ARE VERY MATERIALISTIC .

They neglect single men withing their age bracket and run after rich married men(ARISTOS) irrespective of his religion but for his wealth.

How can you now blame the men for polygamy when the women willingly run after them for their riches.

sayso:

simple,Yoruba men do not value their women.they like big big yash as if there is anything inside the big yash if not only for

oludashmi:

In ascertaining this polygamous issue, the first thing you should have in mind is that Yorubas are predominantly muslims due to the arrival of the Arabians before the Europeans.
You know that Islam permits it whether educated, semi-educated or illiterate for a man to marry as many as long as he can take care of them. . . although you will find polygamy in christian homes but they are very rare.

Also, it is easier to nail it that Yorubas are polygamous cos their muslims are in no way different from their christians, they behave like christians, such that you dont know who is who (unlike the northern muslims) and if invited for a ceremony in the church they will come.

Finally, this is the computer age, polygamy is fast rolling off. Many children (even muslims) from polygamous homes vows never to go into it cos of their experiences, exposure and even the monogamy family is suffering in the present economic situation in the country.

Aloy+Emeka:

Yorubas are not predominantly muslims. Dunno where you got that notion. Not even 30% of the poulation.

sayso:

simple,Yoruba men do not value their women.they like ,

Aloy+Emeka:

Yorubas are not predominantly muslims. Dunno where you got that notion. Not even 30% of the poulation.

oludashmi:

In ascertaining this polygamous issue, the first thing you should have in mind is that Yorubas are predominantly muslims due to the arrival of the Arabians before the Europeans.
You know that Islam permits it whether educated, semi-educated or illiterate for a man to marry as many as long as he can take care of them. . .

oludashmi:

Aloy, you and I do not have to ague over this pls
Go for research, do alot of it.
Take a survey on the states or towns in all our states
Dont use Lag to conclude cos it consist of every nigerian tribe and there are influences here and there
Pls, lets not argue it.

guddsid:

most yoruba women that i know about are omolata they have little or no education so when a rich man comes around to marry them they don't care if the man has 5 or 6 wives they would jump on him ,          Most yoruba women target in life is to become an alhaja  

oludashmi:

Aloy, you and I do not have to ague over this pls
Go for research, do alot of it.
Take a survey on the states or towns in all our states
Dont use Lag to conclude cos it consist of every nigerian tribe and there are influences here and there
Pls, lets not argue it.

Ayowumie:


Polygamy is not all about the educational level of the lady. Many at times, ladies are unable to help the situation and moreover, the culture that Yoruba women find themselves doesnt encourage divorce. Divorce is seen more or less as a tabboo. Any woman that packed out of her husband house is called "oni le mosu" - it is a derogatory term. Your assertion that a woman would go for a rich man,is unfounded and is not limited to Yoruba women alone. This is a general trend among women. And, most women would see marrying a rich man as an opportunity for financial empowerment as against wat u called "getting out of poverty". Since you can't say that every Yoruba woman is poor and neither can say that all women are poor.

Aloy+Emeka:

And FYI: when you talk about illiterate Yoruba women, Ekiti women are number 1.

ijeommaa:

Polygamy is a way of life for the Yorubas. The young and highly educated ones, do not hesitate to marry someones husband. Thier men can hardly stay with on wife, 
I tire.

DapoBear:

Data to support this?

Aloy+Emeka:

TSame is applicable to polygamy: The poverty rate in Yorubaland today is only 2nd to Northerners and the common culture  predominant between these two ethnic groups is polygamy.