The Protection of Marriage and Family in The Context of Rights and Freedom

Abstract

The institution of marriage has obviously been put to test in recent times, with the quest for equality and equity in marriage reverberating and resounding with great crescendo, especially from women. The lamentation of women in registering their feelings of subjugation by men is currently louder than the fact of what the institution stands for. Humanity's' unbridled quest for rights and freedom within the context of marriage and family- has no doubt been an obstacle to the protection of the human family. This is because, man is a free, conscious and rational being with each individual laden with possibilities and idiosyncracies. The apparent snag associated with the protection of marriage and family- is worsened by the fact of our rights cum freedom as individuals with unique possibilities and potentials. The method of this research is both analytical and phenomenological, as tools of research to enable us resolve the puzzle. Marriage is the official entrant ticket to family life and family is the first school of socialization and organization of human species. Hence, this paper argues that the quest for rights and freedom should not be pursued at the expense of the protection of the human marriage and family which is sacred and sacrosanct in the preservation of human species. The findings of this research is that our rights/freedom within the context of marriage and family is censored and in protecting marriage and family within this context, our rights/ freedom should be exercised with caution and a sense of responsibility.