Nnadiebube Journal of Religion, Culture and Society

The perception that a successful and happy marriage among other factors is strongly correlated with economic well-being has generated a lot of debate in recent time. The argument asserts that productive employment and good income can contribute to the stability of marriage relationships, while a decline in these factors can lead to a deterioration in the quality of marriages, often resulting to crisis in marriage and ultimately marriage breakdown. In Nigeria, particularly in the South East region, there has been a long-standing issue of persistent high unemployment level and low-income rate, which is alleged to be impacting significantly on marriage stability. This study aims to examine issues of marriage crisis, breakdown of family structures, and explore their connections with economic well-being in terms of employment and income. To achieve this objective, this paper employs a quantitative method of analysis, which allows for the examination of patterns and trends in the factors under investigation. Additionally, this paper adopts ‘Push and Pull’ and ‘Capability’ theoretical models, which examine factors capable of influencing individuals’ transition from one marital status to another, as well as their capability and functioning in entering marriage. By utilizing this approach, the paper aims to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of marriage crisis and their connection to economic well-being, with the goal of proposing strategies to mitigate these crises and preserve marital relationships.

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