21st COU, UniAbuja, Artifex University, THSI Joint Virtual Seminar Call THEME: SOCIAL DYNAMICS, POLITICS AND ART OF SEPARATION/DIVORCE AND SINGLEHOOD IN CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Purpose: The survival and development of society has overtime being hinged on the composition of family and kinship ties especially through marriage. The social construction of marriage and marital identity through other institutions particularly media, religion and other orientations, has also influenced the decision and sometimes desperation to be married and remain married (against all odds). Against these backgrounds, marital partners are somehow forced to endure unbearable experiences that may be detrimental to their well-being and existence and in turn influence their contribution to societal growth, while some others prefer to stay single for fear of marital mistakes. More worrisome is the increase in marital criminality, gender-based violence, deception, infidelity and empty-shell marriages (married-but-living-single) which is consequent upon the need to meet societal expectations and avoid being faulted and blamed for separation/divorce. It is therefore imperative to note that the function or dysfunctions associated with this unique institution that forms the foundation of societal growth and development has experienced some changes in the face of globalization, digitalization, urbanization and migration in contemporary times. These Social dynamics has affected the taboos, gender blame and cultural construction of fault associated with decisions to be separated, divorced or remain single. This virtual international seminar aims to explore the Social dynamics which is reflected in media and religious representations, morality, surveillance, and the politics as well as art of separation/divorce and singlehood in contemporary world. The seminar seeks to critically examine how social constructions of marriages, religious and media representations, moral discourses, and surveillance practices shape our understanding of separation/divorce and singlehood in our societies, and how these influence the incidence of fault/blame, stigmatization and discrimination, particularly in relation to gender, cultural norms and Social relations.
- Date:08/07/2026 09:42 PM - 08/08/2026 09:42 PM
- Location Online Event
Description
Seminar Sub-Themes:
Religious doctrines on marriage, separation, divorce and singlehood
Media representations marriage, separation, divorce and singlehood
Digitalization/Surveillance and the policing of personal lives
Gendered blame and fault in separation/divorce and singlehood narratives
Gender differentials in separation/divorce, singlehood decisions and actions
Cultural constructions of fault and responsibility in marital lives
Intersectionality and diversity in divorce and singlehood experiences
Demographics of separation/divorce and singlehood in contemporary Society
History of separation/divorce and singlehood in contemporary Society
Art of separation/divorce and singlehood in contemporary Society
Politics of separation/divorce and singlehood in contemporary Society
Health and Lived Marital Experiences
Health, Separation/Divorce and Singlehood
Criminal Issues in Lived Marital Experiences
Criminality of Separation/Divorce in contemporary Society
Singlehood, Separation/Divorce and Workplace relations
Singlehood, Separation/Divorce and Religion
Separation/divorce and Migration
Matured Singlehood and Media Relations
Singlehood and Migration
Singlehood, Separation/Divorce and Stigmatization/discrimination
Policy and practice implications for supporting individuals and families
Submission guidelines:
Submit a 250-300 word abstract to info.21stcmiiaopenuniversity.us@mbox.re on or before 5th July 2026
Submission of Full paper: 12th July 2026
Features:
• Keynote speakers
• Paper presentations
• Panel discussions
Target Audience:
Academics and researchers /Students in media studies, Sociology, law, and related fields
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on gender issues
Individuals interested in the intersections of media, morality, and personal life
Policy makers and practitioners working in family, health, law, social work, and related fields
Media professionals and journalists
Outcomes:
• A deeper understanding of the complex dynamics shaping the social, political, arts and of divorce in contemporary society
• A critical examination of the role of media and surveillance in constructing and policing separation/divorce and singlehood narratives
• Insights into the implications of these dynamics for individuals, families, and societal development
• A collection of research papers and presentations to be published in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal or an edited book
Joint Organizing Committee:
Prof. Patricia Taiwo
Prof. Alexandru Lucian Manole
Tobia Magezi Omal
Dr Ehis J. Esezobor
For inquiry:
+1 (807) 804-0133
+211 922 288 898
+40 729 019 520
+234 803 482 0646
Venue: Zoom:
Meeting ID: 923 248 4046
Passcode: yYE6CF
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9232484046?pwd=nYAuhVo6YFRaUbcilShUydrHB6zwc5.1&omn=72490507589