The Paradox of Female Headship of Muslim Families in Contemporary Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

Headship of the family unit is exclusively meant for husband and/or rather as canvassed by many religions and cultures. The underpinning factors for this stand stemmed from the roles designated for headship which includes: provision of material and psychological needs of the family on the one hand and protection from both physical and psychological harms on the other hand. Consequently, it is presumed that the male gender of family members is naturally endowed to perform these roles better than his female counterpart. Astoundingly. female headship of Muslim families is now on the increase in the ancient Islamic city of Ilorin. This development contradicts the Islamic family hierarchical order. This study therefore investigates the causes and implications of this development on family life in the town. The study adopts interview and observation as research instruments. The findings revealed the major causes of female headship of some Ilorin families to be: shirking of familial responsibilities by husband; circumstantial factor of economic predicament; assimilation of foreign values of individualistic and materialistic life; hypnotic influence on the husband; and inevitable factor of death/sickness of husband. It was also discovered that some female family heads were able to combine their maternal duties with the paternal responsibilities of their husbands; whereas, the psychological and disciplinary aspects suffer. This trend gradually impaired the children upbringing and the Islamic family value generally. The study recommends total submission to Allah's familial hierarchical design and conscientious discharge of duties assigned to spouses. This will breed orderliness and peace, which are germane to family sustainability.