The influence of Facebook on marital relationships in Zimbabwe : an explanatory study of Gwabalanda community

Abstract

This study explored the perceptions of married individuals in Zimbabwe regarding how social networking, Facebook in particular, influences marital relationships. The specific objective was the exploration of the major reasons for Facebook usage among married individuals with the intended aim of establishing its positive and negative influences on marital relationships. Data collection was by use of in-depth interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampling and snow balling were used in selecting participants. The sample size, due to budgetary constraints, consisted of only 16 married individuals from the Gwabalanda community who had been married for at least two years, had been users of Facebook for more than a year, and who log in to their Facebook account more than thrice a week. The sample was categorised into two age groups: those aged 35years and above and those aged 34years and below to explore the views of the older and younger cohorts. The study found out that Facebook has increasingly become a means of communication in Zimbabwe; both for the young and the elderly. Married individuals have made use of the site for various reasons among which the following are included: it is efficient, cheaper, convenient and reliable even for business and job purposes. However, major findings of the study suggested that many married people were of the view that Facebook has more negative influence on marital relationships. Facebook is resented for having made it easier for married people to connect with different people and for some to re-connect with ex-lovers thereby resulting in issues of infidelity amongst partners. As partners spend more time online, feelings of jealousy are invoked leading to creation of tensions. It was also revealed that the use of Facebook has resulted in conflicts due to lack of trust due to partner surveillance amongst married partners. The study also showed that Facebook has some positive influence in that it has allowed people far from each other to remain connected and to maintain relationships online. It has also given a platform for marriage discussion forums where married individuals discuss marital problems and advice one another. The study concludes with a number of recommendations for further study including further study on the dimensions for the increased use of Facebook in Zimbabwe and an exploration of the socio-economic and demographic profile of users. It argued that the answers to these and under similar questions can help contribute to the overall study of family sociology in terms of factors that contribute, or have the potential to lead, to marital instability.