Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has explained why he has never been a strong advocate for marriage, arguing that women often shoulder more responsibilities and face greater pressure within marital relationships.
Arukwe made the remarks during an interview on the In My Opinion podcast, where he was asked whether society had exaggerated the importance of marriage, particularly for women.
The actor observed that women are often expected to take on several responsibilities when they get married, including bearing children, adopting their husbands’ surnames and managing other demands associated with married life.
According to him, these expectations have influenced his views about the institution of marriage and the way society measures women’s success.
Arukwe said, “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.”
He added that society was gradually recognising that marriage does not define a woman’s identity or determine her worth.
Changing Attitudes Towards Marriage and Motherhood
The actor also highlighted changing attitudes among women towards marriage and having children, noting that more people are making independent decisions about their personal lives.
He recalled that, growing up, people often questioned women who remained unmarried at the ages of 25 or 30, particularly when compared with previous generations, when early marriage and having children were more widely expected.
Arukwe noted that some women now choose not to have children, reflecting a shift in personal priorities and social expectations.
He said these changes suggested that women were increasingly defining success on their own terms rather than relying solely on traditional expectations surrounding marriage and family life.
The actor’s comments have added to ongoing public conversations about marriage, gender roles, motherhood and the pressure placed on women to meet societal expectations.
His remarks reflect his personal perspective on marriage and the unequal responsibilities he believes women often face within it.
