Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has said he is not an advocate for marriage because he believes women bear more responsibilities and make greater sacrifices than men within the institution.
Gatekeepers News reports that Arukwe made the remarks during an appearance on the In My Opinion podcast, hosted by actress Bisola Aiyeola, where he discussed societal expectations surrounding marriage, childbirth and family life.
“I’ve never really been an advocate for marriage because I feel like it is more tasking for the woman. She’s the one who bears the children, takes the man’s last name, and has to deal with a lot of things,” the actor said.
The 43-year-old actor argued that marriage does not define a woman’s worth, noting that societal attitudes towards marriage and motherhood are gradually changing.
He recalled how unmarried women were traditionally questioned about their marital status when they reached a certain age, particularly 25 or 30, and were often compared with people who had already married and had children.
“Growing up, people would ask you why you weren’t married at 25 or 30 and talk about how they already had five children by that age,” he said.
Arukwe also observed that some women are increasingly choosing not to have children, highlighting changing personal preferences and attitudes towards motherhood.
“Now, there are even women who don’t want to have children. I’ve met at least two or three,” he added.
His comments have drawn attention to discussions about the unequal expectations often placed on women in marriage, including pregnancy, childbirth, family responsibilities and changes to their identities after marriage.
Arukwe is married to Barbara Boyd-Arukwe, and the couple have two daughters.
The actor’s remarks add to ongoing conversations about gender roles, marriage and the pressure on women to meet traditional expectations concerning relationships and motherhood.
