The topic of an essay competition organised by the Young Writers Club for final year students is: Our traditional marriage system is more suitable for the present generation of Nigerians than the English system. Write your entry for or against the topic:
OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE SYSTEM IS MORE SUITABLE THAN THE ENGLISH SYSTEM.
The infiltration of our culture and tradition by western values has led to a lot of dislocations in our society. In marriages nowadays, there are cases of divorce and separation because Nigerians of the present generation have neglected our traditional marriage system for the English. I still support our traditional marriage system and I believe strongly that it is more suitable for the present generation of Nigerians.
The traditional marriage system forbids a man to marry a woman without seeking the consent of the woman's parents. Not only this, it encourages the two parties to be involved in marriage to investigate each other's lineage and character. The coming together of a man and a woman is gradual which can take years of courtship and relationship during which the character. reputation and the honour of the families involved are put on the line. The lineage of the man and the woman is usually traced and if there is any reason to discourage the union like the existence of hereditary disease or a social stigma in any of the parties family lineage, the people are always cautious not to join them as husband and wife.
Furthermore traditional system discourages immorality and bad behaviour among youths. An eligible bachelor is such a man who is of good reputation and manner. The same thing applies to the spinster. A wayward and promiscuous girl will find it difficult to get a reasonable and responsible husband, and in the same manner, a drunkard male may remain unmarried for a long time if he doesn't change.
Moreso, traditional marriage system should be preferable to the present generation of Nigerians because it is cheaper. Unlike the English system which encourages high society and church weddings, traditional marriage ceremonies are very cheap. The couple just need the members of their respective families to contract a marriage deal. It is bereft of the fanfare pomp and pageantry that is usually associated with the English marriage ceremony.
Finally, traditional marriage system discourages hypocrisy in all forms. A potential husband or wife is seen by the society according to his or her home training behaviour and comportment as well as his or her family history. The religious pretensions and hypocrisy encouraged by the English system don't have a place in our traditional marriage system.
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