ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to investigate on the characteristic of good future partners as perceived by students in tertiary institutions in Oyo town. The variables of interest were gender, age, family background, institution and religion.
Two hundred respondents were sampled for the study. Five hypotheses were formulated and tested. Frequency counts and simple percentages were used to analyse the demographic data of respondents. While t-test statistic and analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical procedures were used to test the null hypotheses generated.
The result of the study revealed that the major characteristics of a good future partner is that a good future partner must be morally upright and God fearing, this characteristics ranked first in the ranking table. Next to this are “a good future partner must be a very caring person and someone I really love. These two characteristics are strong and important characteristics needed in choosing a good future partner.
Base on the findings of this study it was recommended that effort should be made by professional counsellors to organize seminars to enlighten youths on the need to be conscious of their choice on characteristics of good future partner. And that the curriculum planners should design curriculum in such a way that marriage education will be given the proper place in Nigerian tertiary institutions, to ensure that the right values are inculcated into the youths.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 10
Research Questions 15
Research Hypotheses 16
Purpose of the Study 17
Significance of the Study 17
Operational Definition of Terms 19
Scope of the Study 20
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction 21
Concept and meaning of Marriage 22
Importance of Marriage 27
Types of Marriage 32
The Spouse Selection Theories 37
Qualities of a Good Future Partner 44
Characteristics Considered in Selecting a Good
Future Partner 47
General Limitations on Selection 57
Summary of the Review of Related Literature 63
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
Introduction 66
Research Design 66
Sample and Sampling Procedure 67
Instrumentation 89
Psychometric Properties of the Instrument 69
Validity 69
Reliability 70
Procedure for Data Collection and Administration 71
Method of Data Analysis 71
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
Introduction 72
Demographic Data 72
Hypotheses Testing 80
Summary of Findings 85
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction 87
Discussion 88
Conclusion 91
Implication for Counselling 92
Recommendations 93
Suggestions for Further Studies 94
References 95
Appendix 98
