A GOOD WIFE OR A PRECIOUS SLAVE? REREADING PROVERBS 31: 10 – 31 IN THE NIGERIA CONTEXT
Authors:
JOSIAH UCHEAWAJI
Publication Type: Chapters in Books
Journal: Nabis
ISSN Number:
0
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Abstract
In many societies there are cultural institutions, beliefs, and practices that undermine women's autonomy. The Centre for Health and Gender Equity identifies certain marriage practices as being disadvantageous to women and girls, especially where customs, such as bride-wealth, have been corrupted. As a result of such insensitivity, scholars like Oduyoye, Amoah, Rivkin, and Steady, have blamed the patriarchal inclination of African culture. Nevertheless, this study employs Ukpong's Inculturation Hermeneutics as well as Eagly and Wood's Social-role theory. The work infers that culture dictates and shapes behavior, and one's environment affect one's attitudes, perceptions and emotions. It further posits that a godly keeper at home is absolutely not a lesser human, precious slave, robot, or a placid doormat under submission to all men. Finally, this paper concludes that the ideal woman of Proverbs 31 could rarely be found in Nigeria since the myopic image of sensual despondency on the part of the housewife in Nigerian context is a twisted perversion of the beautiful picture of the wise and chaste keeper at home of Proverbs 31. Subsequently, it offers some recommendations.