THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF THE MALE-CHILD IN MBIAKONG, URUAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE.

This study examines the socio-cultural importance of the male child in the family in the Mbiakong society of Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. In many human societies, the socio cultural practices cause the importance and prevalence of the male child preference. In fact, the issue of male child importance and preference has attracted global attention ranging from individuals, scholars, intellectuals, as well as other relevant professions among others. It is on this ground that, this study looked at the socio-cultural importance of the male child in the family in Mbiakong. The research method adopted qualitative research method which includes primary and secondary sources of information. The primary sources of information are derived from correspondents purposively selected through random sampling. This study discovers that there is a significant relationship between the understanding of tradition, religion and preference for male child. The research also discovers that there is a significant relationship between culture and male child preference. Based on these findings, the study establishes that cultural practices and cultural matrix are responsible for male child importance and preference as well as gender inequality in the society, and recommends that the cultural practices that oppress women or see women as subordinate or inferior such as the no inheritance placed on women and that tradition that forbids women from bearing their father's name after marrying should be abrogated.