Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has shared his reservations about marriage, stating that he has never been a strong advocate of the institution because he believes women bear a greater share of its responsibilities and sacrifices.
The Nigerian actor made the remarks during a recent interview, where he reflected on the expectations placed on women in marriage, including childbirth, family responsibilities and the tradition of adopting a husband’s surname.
According to Arukwe, these expectations make marriage more demanding for women than men, particularly because of the physical and social responsibilities women are often expected to shoulder.
“I’ve never really been an advocate of marriage, because I feel like it’s mortaxing for the woman. She’s the one that bears the child. She takes your last name. A lot of things happen,” he said.
The actor’s comments have drawn attention to ongoing conversations about gender roles in marriage and whether men and women share marital responsibilities equally.
Arukwe also spoke about the societal pressure people face to get married by a particular age, recalling how,ow growing up, individuals who reached the age of 25 without getting married were often questioned about their relationship status.
“Growing up, you’re 25, you’re not married. What’s happening? At this age, I already have five children,” he recalled.
His remarks highlight how cultural expectations can influence people’s decisions about marriage and family life, sometimes creating pressure on individuals who are not ready or willing to settle down at a particular stage of their lives.
Beyond the pressure to marry, Arukwe also pointed out that people’s views on having children are changing. He revealed that he had encountered women who did not want to become mothers, noting that the desire to have children is not universal among women.
“I feel like now, there are women who don’t even want to have children. I’ve met at least two or three,” he added.
The actor’s observations reflect changing attitudes towards marriage and parenthood, as more people openly discuss personal choices that may differ from traditional expectati
His comments have also raised questions about the extent to which marriage should be shaped by societal norms rather than individual readiness, compatibility and shared responsibilities
While marriage remains an important institution in many African societies, Arukwe’s perspective adds to the wider discussion about the sacrifices involved, the expectations placed on women and the freedom individuals should have to decide whether marriage and parenthood are right for them.
