By Felix Akpan*
Since Erica's disqualification from the BBNaija Session 5 lockdown reality show, I have read with consternation a plethora of unscientific expositions, from the sublime to the surreal on what set her teeth on the edge and the justifications for her action.
In a typical Nigeria public media fashion, all the contributions are based either on empathy for her or otherwise, but not on any scientific rationale. Those who empathize with her, strongly justify her indiscretion towards her fellow housemate, Laycon, and demure her disqualification from the show. While those who do not, vilify her and applaud Big Brother for kicking her out of the house unceremoniously.
My take provides a scientific explanation for Erica's actions in the BBNaija house, which culminated in her disqualification. Erica's temparement lends credence to the school of thought in the field of parenting that espouses that there is a significant difference in children's psychological adjustment between those raised in single parent households and the ones raised in two-parent households. The crux of the matter is that the route to parenting does not necessarily seem to have an adverse effect on the psychological adjustment of children.
However, empirically speaking, there are ample research findings in extant literatures which suggest that how children relate to other people later in life, especially how they emit warmth, quarrelsomeness, stress adjustment and tolerance, to a large extent, is a function of parenting. Some studies conclude that children from two-parent households are better equipped psychologically than those from single parent households. But that is debatable because depending on intervening variables; there is exception to every rule. For example, children from two-parent households ravaged by poverty could be psychologically edgy like children from single parent households and vice versa.
If you look closely at the housemates, the behavioral pattern and psychological adjustment of those of them supposedly from two-parent households sharply contrast with those of them from single parent households. For example, the way Ozo, Prince, Dorathy and Neo relate with fellow housemates in all circumstances is quite distinct from how Erica, Tricky T, Lucy, Nengi, and Vee do.
Even though Lucy and Nengi were raised by foster parents that also affects their mien. In fact, Lucy's background, in my opinion, accounts for her poor interpersonal relationship and her tearjerker attitude to evoke sympathy. Also, Kiddwaya is not immune to personality disorder associated with parenting. For the non-initiate, his courteous indifferent attitude to other people's feelings, but aloof from bickering is driven by his rich background. That also explains why he was indifferent towards Erica's unbridled lust for him.
Undoubtedly, that same lust coupled with her love for Phallus, especially, a billionaire son's Phallus beclouded her sense of rationality and exacerbated those psychological deficiencies that single parent household foisted on her, which she exhibited with dire consequences.
Nevertheless, it doesn't really matter whether someone is raised in single parent households or two-parent households because they both have their inherent psychological deficiencies. What should be of utmost importance is how to keep those deficiencies in check wherever we find ourselves. And to do so successfully requires we internalize the available rules of engagement and abide by them. Thus, if Erica had done so with Big Brother's house rules, she probably might still be in the house eating free food and enjoying Kiddwaya's phallus.
The opinion expressed is strictly that of the author
Good one. Key word.....'rules of engagement'
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