The
concept of culture has been defined in various ways. These various definitions
range from its simplistic
forms to its complex forms. Culture is
being universally defined and understood as the totality of ways of life of a people or a
society. Sociologists, anthropologists and historians have offered a variety of
meanings of culture and the traits inherent in it. These and burial ceremony,
ethics and
of course including philosophy of life (CESSAC 1986).
Culture varies widely
with respect to the roles they assigned to different sexes. While one job may be regarded as a man's job in one society, it may
be regarded as women's job is
another. This division is with the exception of child bearing. Child bearing is one
constant factor that determines the
division of labor in pre-industrial societies. Because of child-bearing, women
are less mobile and therefore send to fill roles which they can perform
closer to their houses such as house keeping, weaving, midwifery and processing
of food.
In examining women in
culture, there is the need to develop them so as to be able to keep pace with developments in the Nigerian socio-economic
scene. Apart from the physical attractions, women are indispensable at
home not only in the domestic work they do, but also in the taking care of the children. According to Oyesakin (1982) women
perform certain functions that make for development they bear and take care of the children, they
take care of the home and economically they are helping hands to man.
Denise (1971) describes the roles and duties
of women in the family as wives, mothers and village politicians. He was of the opinion that women
function in various capacities ranging from monarchs and warriors to-founders of nations states. According to Okonjo (1983), Women made mats, pottery and wove clothes; women
processed palm –oil, palm kernels and market them. According to Okono (1983), it is a punishment to deprive a
woman opportunity of attending the market. Levin (1965) describes the function which a market fulfills
in the life of the Igbo women when she says -it is the battle field, their opportunity, their channel of expression,
it is their club and theatre, their news-
paper and their post office. Looking at
this crucial role of women in culture, one can assume that, if the role
is not properly learned, the national development we are expecting may not be forthcoming. Women are the main custodian of
social, cultural and rudimental values of a society.
Socially, women have contributed immensely to the development of the educational.
They also perform civic rights. One of the areas which deserve maintaining is
that marriage, which gives rise to legimate parenthood, tension reduction, sexual
control and business partner.
Mr.E.A.
Oke in his book, an introduction to social anthropology, pointed out “marriage
is an integral part of the existence of the society. The couple is expected to
live together, cooperate with one another in the maintained of their household
and inculcating of the societal Norma to their off offspring as to make the
society a better place.
Finally,
the role of women in education development, their contributions cannot be swept
under the carpet for they are equal partners with men, not behind but a little
bit ahead in educational development. (Akinterinwa and Fawehinmi, 2000.)