Conflict management in Black African marriages in an urban context : an exploratory study

Abstract

Conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship and it is this underlying force that brings about change and transformation within the relationship. Therefore, as couples develop strategies and routines that can help them in situations where conflicts arise, it is important to consider such strategies to empower other married couples. To solve conflict in African couples it is important that those conflicts be understood in their social context. The western psychotherapy places too much emphasis on the right of the individual, competition, self-actualisation, and individuality, these being concepts which are not acknowledged in the traditional Afro-centric perspective. It is important in assisting helping professionals to understand how culture influences couples in conflict, especially from Black African couples’ perspective. The research study aims to investigate how Black African couples manage conflicts in their marriages. The approach used in this research study is the qualitative approach where eighteen married Black African heterosexual couples and two groups of married women only and two groups of married men only were interviewed. The research was primarily interested in the meaning that the subjects give to their life experiences; therefore, the qualitative research approach was suitable for the study. To give insight into how Black married couples manage conflict in their marriage, the researcher made use of the collective case study design. Semi-structured interviews, one-on-one interviews as well as group interviews were conducted as primary data collection methods. The findings in this study illustrate communication, finances and family as the major causes of conflict in Black African marriages. The systemic nature of the African marriage allows Black African couples to invite family members, friends, pastors or third parties to mediate during conflicts as external intervention during conflict. The use of professionals like social workers or psychologists is considered as the last resort after family members, friends, pastors or third parties have been consulted. Communication, external intervention of pastors and staying humble during conflict are considered as some of the methods couples use to manage conflict which have proven to yield positive results. The research results assist those in the helping professionals like social workers, counsellors and psychologists working with Black African couples to understand what the causes of conflict in their marriage are. It further brought to light the kind of mediators the helping professionals can use during conflict in African couples’ relationships. Those providing professional services should always consider that in providing services to Black African couples they might not be the couple’s first point of contact for help.