The Unknown Woman: Protecting Her Womanity as a Sine Qua Non to Preserving the Family Unit in Nigeria

The family unit is the basic unit of society and same cannot (literally speaking) be birthed without the woman or its foundation concretized without her nurture. However, it seems from happenings in the Nigerian society that the Nigerian woman is faced with some challenges that endangers her well-being, her role as a vessel of demographic growth and her indispensable nurturing function in the home. Many of these challenges appear to be caused by the masculine gender. Though and sadly so in some cases as would be shown anon, women themselves are the harbinger of some of these problems. Canvassing the emancipation of the woman has been the focus of many female gender rights activists and this paper aims to contribute to same vide an examination of the challenges that face the female folk in Nigeria and in extension the family unit with its negative effects on the larger society from a social cum legal perspective or discourse. The spectrum of this discourse will traverse issues like abandonment, effects of superstitious belief in witchcraft, death in the course of earning a living, break-up of the family unit due to meddlesomeness of third parties, sexual violence against women and alleged complicity of law enforcement agents in shielding its perpetrators and a host of other varied issues.

Exploring the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Superstitious Beliefs

In Nigeria, almost every tribe has several superstitious beliefs which, tend to affect their day to day behavior. The current work investigated the relationship of such beliefs with personality traits in the southeast geopolitical zone of the country [specifically Igbo land]. The researchers used the Big 5 personality Inventory (BFPI) and the Igbo Culture Superstitious Belief Scale. The internal consistency reliability of the ICSBS ranged from .30 to .67. A total of 250 participants [94 males and 156 females, between 25 and 53 years, with the mean age of 36.99 and standard deviation 5.89] participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis was adopted. From the above result, openness to experience (Beta = .484, t=8.15, p<.05=.00) and Neuroticism (Beta = .391, t=6.36, p<.05=.00) had a significant correlation with superstitious belief, while Extraversion (Beta = .072, t=1.51, p<.05=.13), Agreeableness (Beta = .997, t=.98, p<.05=.33) and Conscientiousness (Beta = -.078, t=-1.60p<.05=.11). This implies that only Neuroticism and Openness to Experience had significant relationship with superstitious beliefs. It was therefore recommended that further research be conducted to better understand the unique characteristics of the Igbo people. Received: 20 October 2020 / Accepted: 5 May 2021 / Published: 17 May 2021

The Soldiers of Rationality

This chapter examines the yearly demonstration organized by the Italian Committee for the Investigation of Pseudoscientific Claims (CICAP), in which the group stages a national protest against superstitious belief. It details how CICAP members identify as “soldiers of rationality” who protect Italy's credulous public, whom they see as victims of dangerously irrational and misguided beliefs. It also discusses CICAP's promotion of scientific knowledge and debunking of irrational convictions, which enables them to lump together witchcraft, 9/11 conspiracy theories, UFOs, and the Shroud of Turin. The chapter unravels the mystery of why CICAP has become urgent in contemporary Italy, a country known for its centuries-old belief in witchcraft, magic, and superstition. It cites the crisis that led to the rise and intensity of Italy's scientific skeptics that is not only economic and political but also epistemological.

Why do pregnant women prefer cesarean birth? : a qualitative study in a tertiary care center in Southern Thailand

Background: The increasing worldwide rate of cesarean sections is of global concern. In recent years, cesarean births upon maternal request have become both a hotly debated issue. Hence, this study aimed to explore maternal reasons for cesarean preference without medical indications.Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with 27 pregnant women, attending antenatal care in Songklanagarind Hospital from September 2018 to June 2019, who preferred cesarean birth. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Results: Maternal reasons for cesarean preference were classified into six main categories including: fear of childbirth, safety concerns related to health risk perception, negative previous birth experience, positive attitude toward cesarean birth, access to biased information and superstitious belief in auspicious birth dates. Most women had more than one reason for opting cesarean birth. Conclusion: Several reasons for cesarean birth preference have been elucidated. One striking reason was a superstitious belief in auspicious birth dates, which is challengable for obstetricians to deal with. Obstetricians should explore the exact reasons why women request cesarean birth, so as to prevent or diminish unnecessary cesarean births.

Why do pregnant women prefer cesarean delivery?: a qualitative study in a tertiary care center in Southern Thailand

Background The increasing worldwide rate of cesarean sections is of global concern, and in recent years, cesarean deliveries upon maternal request have become both an interesting and debated issue. Hence, this study aimed to explore the maternal reasons for cesarean preference without medical indications. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using an in-depth interview, with 27 pregnant women, attending antenatal care at Songklanagarind Hospital from September, 2018 to June, 2019, who preferred cesarean delivery. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Maternal reasons for cesarean preference were classified into 6 main categories including: fear of childbirth, safety concerns related to health risk perception, negative birth experience, a positive attitude toward cesarean delivery, access to biased information resources and superstitious belief in auspicious birth dates. Most women had more than one reason for choosing cesarean delivery. Conclusion Several reasons for cesarean delivery preference emerging from pregnant women have been elucidated. One striking reason was a superstitious belief in auspicious birth dates, which was challengeable for an obstetrician to approach. Obstetricians should explore the exact reasons why women request cesarean delivery, so as to prevent or diminish unnecessary cesarean sections.

5. The psychology of superstition

Holding superstitious beliefs in a time when the fruits of science are all around us seems somewhat paradoxical, so why do people believe? ‘The psychology of superstition’ considers the prevalence and demographics of superstitious belief. Research shows that belief in luck is correlated with belief in superstition and that they correlate with a number of personality dimensions and traits that are, in most cases, not particularly desirable, such as stress, anxiety, seeking control, pessimism, and depression. How do people learn superstitions and what sustains their superstitious behaviour? The great majority of common superstitions are relatively inexpensive and harmless and they may help reduce anxiety and provide a welcome illusion of control.