Perception of Propertied Women on Marriage Forms, Widowhood and Living Patterns in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the importance of property on the status of women and their perception on three major issues namely marriage forms, widowhood, and living patterns. This was done against the backdrop that property influences status and change in status also impact on role within the production process. The paper drew input from both quantitative and qualitative field work where 195 women were interviewed. The paper argues that there is a wide condemnation of polygyny and polyandry as forms of marriage; widow inheritance is fast fading away as a result of status transformation experienced by the propertied women and living patterns remain the same as families still live together as one despite the new statuses worn by the women. The paper concludes that property as a means of income generation is indeed an impetus to changing the status of women, their perception, role and management of their life.