DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG YOUNG MARRIED CHRISTIAN COUPLES: IMPLICATIONS AND CHRISTIAN-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILY STABILITY

Abstract

Domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive yet underreported crises afflicting family life in Nigeria, with young married Christian couples among the most affected demographic despite religious affiliation that ostensibly enjoins love, mutual submission, and non-violence. This paper investigates the nature, prevalence, and dynamics of domestic violence among young married Christian couples, examines its theological, psychological, sociological, and ecclesiastical implications, and proposes biblically grounded, church-centred solutions for the restoration and stabilisation of affected families. Anchored on the Christian Family Systems Theory and the Pastoral Care and Counselling Framework, and drawing on a descriptive survey of 220 respondents drawn from married couples, pastors, marriage counsellors, and social welfare officers in Kaduna State, the study explores how biblical misinterpretation, cultural patriarchy, economic stress, premarital ignorance, and inadequate pastoral support combine to generate and sustain domestic violence within ostensibly Christian homes. Findings indicate that physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse are significantly prevalent among the study population, that prevailing interpretations of scriptural texts on headship and submission frequently enable rather than restrain abusive conduct, and that most victims receive inadequate or theologically uninformed responses from their local churches. The paper recommends comprehensive pre-marital education anchored in biblical equality, the establishment of church-based domestic violence response teams, structured pastoral counselling protocols, and integration of local church support networks with state-level social welfare and legal protection mechanisms.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Young Married Christian Couples, Christian Family, Pastoral Care, Biblical Marriage, Family Stability, Nigeria