MARRIAGE SHOULD NOT BE REDUCED TO PROCREATION Written By Blessing Ojoma Onakpa

I honestly believe it is time we have a serious conversation about the way society views marriage and childbearing.

Procreation should not be presented as the only purpose or measure of a successful marriage. Not every couple will have children, and not everyone even wants children. Yet, because of the enormous pressure society places on couples especially women…many women are subjected to insults, shame, rejection, emotional abuse and unbearable pressure simply because they have not conceived.

Some marriages have become chaotic because of this mentality. Some women have suffered deeply, and some have tragically lost their lives under the weight of the stigma and pressure.

We need a radical reorientation.

Marriage should be about love, companionship, partnership, understanding, friendship and building a meaningful life together. Children can be a beautiful part of that journey, but they should not be the yardstick for determining a woman’s worth or the success of a marriage.

Even from the Bible, we can point to people whose impact on humanity was not defined by having children. Apostle Paul, for example, devoted his life to his faith and left teachings that continue to influence millions of people today.

So why do we continue to measure a woman’s value by her ability to conceive?

It is time for women to speak up and create awareness. It is time for families, religious institutions, communities and society at large to rethink these harmful beliefs.

And perhaps we also need stronger laws and social protections against the humiliation and abuse of women because of infertility.

A woman is more than her womb.

Her value is in her humanity, her character, her talents, her wisdom, her love, her contributions and the lives she touches.

Let us stop making women feel incomplete because they have not given birth.

Marriage is about building a life together, not simply producing children.

It is time to break the stigma.
It is time to change the narrative.
It is time to let women breathe, thrive and discover the greatness within them.

Blessing Ojoma Onokpa

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