PROMOTING MARITAL FIDELITY: THE SOCIORELIGIOUS CASE FOR HONEST PATERNITY IN LAGOS URBAN, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This article examines the socio-religious need for promoting marital fidelity in Lagos Urban, Lagos State, Nigeria; particularly in light of rising cases of failed paternity tests revealed through DNA results. This alarming trend highlights significant strains on family trust, child welfare, and social integrity. Employing a qualitative methodology, including in-depth interviews and focus groups with religious leaders, family counselors, and community members, alongside the review of extant literature on the subject matter, the study explores the underlying factors of infidelity and the importance of truthful paternity. The necessary rationales and deductions were defined via phenomenological and culture-centered approaches: Social Exchange Theory (SET) was used to substantiate the claims of this research. The paper fills a knowledge gap by analyzing how Lagos's unique socio-religious context shapes expectations of fidelity and parental honesty, an aspect often neglected in discussions around family values. Findings reveal a high rate of failed DNA paternity tests, showcasing significant unfaithfulness among women in marriage within Lagos Urban, further underscoring how marital infidelity undermines family cohesion and erodes societal trust. Religious teachings and community support emerge as crucial influences on fidelity. Recommendations call for religious institutions to enhance marriage counseling initiatives and for public campaigns to advance a culture of transparency and loyalty, underscoring the social and moral imperatives of honest paternity within marriage.