MASCULINITY AND CARE IN TRANSITION: EMPTY NEST SYNDROME AND OMUGWO AMONG LEFT-BEHIND HUSBANDS IN ESAN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the implications of omugwo (postpartum care) for husbands left behind, focusing on the challenges they face and the coping strategies they adopt during their wives’ absence. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the study found that omugwo-related spousal absenteeism exposes men, particularly older ones, to loneliness, emotional distress, and care deficits. These vulnerabilities are compounded by the decline of extended family support, the influence of Westernization and Christianity in promoting monogamous households, and the migration of young adults who would traditionally assist with care. As a result, many men experience negative outcomes, including loneliness, depression, malnutrition, irregular access to food, and limited opportunities for social interaction and leisure. To manage these challenges, left-behind husbands rely on a combination of strategies, including support from extended family, friends, and religious networks; financial and practical assistance from church or mosque members; employing domestic workers and healthcare professionals; and maintaining frequent communication with spouses and children. The findings underscore that men’s well-being and survival are significantly compromised in the absence of women’s care, making coping both demanding and uneven. The study advocates for revitalizing the extended family as a social security mechanism, complemented by a multi-track social policy framework engaging government, civil society, and the private sector.

Keywords: Omugwo, empty nest syndrome, social adjustment, left-behind husbands, Nigeria