Four Things Nigerians Expect from a Married Couple

Marriage ceremonies are a big deal in Nigeria, and Nigerians expect certain things from married couples. Most couples who do not live up to expectation are most certainly the prime target for family and neighbourhood gossip.

The 4 things that are expected from a married couple are:

Pregnancy And Babies

Most Nigerians expect a couple to get pregnant and start raising a family within a year of their marriage. There is an enormous amount of pressure on newly weds. A new bride should be seen with a sprouting abdomen within the first two years of marriage or else family members, friends and neighbours will not hesitate to start gossiping. Some people (e.g. family members) who are somewhat concerned might come up to the couple to suggest or proffer solutions to helping them get pregnant. Africans believe that children are the fruits of marriage and the glue that holds a marriage together. If a woman does not get pregnant within five years of marriage or more, the family members of her husband might pressure him into taking another wife who will bear him children.

Many fertility challenged women are very insecure in their marriages because they know that most Nigerians will not support them if their husbands decide to take-on another wife. They are also often pitied too.

Fat Is Good!

Most Nigerians expect a newly married woman to grow bigger because putting on weight as a married woman is a sign that your husband is really looking after you. If a woman stays skinny after her wedding, it gives many people the impression that she is "suffering" in her husband's house. Many people will consider this a very good topic in their gossiping agenda; they'll say "can you see how she still looks like panla (stock fish) after being married for over a year!"

Demure Attitude

In Nigeria a married woman is expected to be demure in her attitude. Her wardrobe should be completely modest, and her friends should be married or in a serious relationships. A married woman should act mature and should not be seen being too friendly with "certain" people. A Nigerian married woman should not be interested in things like going to a night club or pub because places like that are meant for single (irresponsible) men and women.

Divorce Is Not An Option

Most Nigerians do not expect a couple to even consider divorce as an option in settling disputes, even cases of infidelity (on the man's part) is not enough reason to consider divorce. No Nigerian will support a couple to get divorced just because of a few quarrels. Most Nigerians consider divorce as the plan of the devil to make people miserable, it is also considered a sign of failure. The only time the society supports a couple to get divorced is when the woman is caught cheating on her husband.

Most Nigerians are still conservative in their opinions on how a marriage should be, some believe that a marriage should not be allowed to end no matter what, while a handful believe that a marriage should be enjoyed and not endured.