Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has expressed reservations about marriage, saying he has never been a strong supporter of the institution because he believes women bear a greater share of its responsibilities and challenges.
The actor shared his views during an interview on the In My Opinion podcast, where he discussed societal expectations surrounding marriage and the pressure women face to settle down.
According to Arukwe, women often shoulder significant responsibilities in marriage, including pregnancy, childbirth, adopting their husbands’ surnames and other demands associated with raising a family.
He noted that these expectations have shaped his perspective on marriage, adding that society is increasingly recognising that a woman’s identity, value and fulfilment are not determined by her marital status.
“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. So, I feel society is now beginning to catch on to the fact that marriage doesn’t define or make a woman,” he said.
The actor also reflected on how societal attitudes towards marriage have evolved over the years. He recalled how people once questioned individuals who remained unmarried at 25 or 30, often comparing them with those who had already started families at the same age.
Arukwe further observed that more women are now choosing alternative lifestyles, including opting out of motherhood, revealing that he has personally encountered a few women who have made that decision.
He said: “Growing up, people would ask you why you weren’t married at 25 or 30 and talk about how they already had five children by that age. Now, there are even women who don’t want to have children. I’ve met at least two or three.”