Conflict Resolution in the Families of Nine Ethnic Groups in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study makes a brief Teview of the literatuTe on the concepts
of ethnic groups, ethnicity, family and conflicts. Then it presents the method
of data collection followed by the findings of the survey study, which
involved the largest nine ethnic groups in Ethiopia. About 2, 165 family
heads (52.98% males and 47.02% females) of which the Amhara (373
subjects), Oromo (360), Tigraway (217), Guragie (177), Somale (206),
Sidama (181), Wotaita (249), Hadiya (212) and Afar (190) ethnic groups
participated in the study. A questionnaire consisting of items on various
socio-economic issues was completed for each participant in 1995/96. Two
of the main issues studied were causes of conflicts and methods of conflict
resolution in the family. The results show that money and economic issues,
misconduct of one of the partners and jealousy are the first, second and
third ranked, respectively, causes of c.onflicts in famifies. Sexual
incompatibility and financial problems are the main causes for conflicts
between husbands and wives. However, some ethnic groups such as
Tigraway, Amhara and Guragie considered marital infidelity and sexual
incompatibility as the main causes of marital conflicts, while Oromo, Somale
and Afar indicated that not bearing a child as the first ranked cause of
conflict. Mediation and arbitration by a third party (elders, relatives, friends)
and accommodating the disagreements and conflicts (living with it) are
some of the main techniques of conflict resolution in most families. Corporal
punishments (physical fights) have a/so been reported as techniques of
resolving conflicts.