Can a man rape his wife?

When two people come together to get married, they make a vow to become one. In some cases where dowries are paid, some men believe they have full rights to their wives including the right to have sex whenever it pleases them with or without their wives’ consent. But how far do these rights go? Saturday PUNCH asked people if it was possible for a man to rape his wife.

Sex has to do with consent

Ohi Oyakhire

Yes, a man can rape his wife because the two parties have to consent to having sex. The moment the wife is not interested in having sex and the man uses all possible means to have sex with her, then it automatically becomes rape. Unless the woman agrees, if a man forces his way, it can be termed as rape.

Rape has to do with force

Aminat Okunnuga

A man can rape his wife because rape has to do with force. There should always be an agreement between a man and his wife before sex. If there is no agreement between them, then we can call that rape. So most times, wives have no other option than to allow their husbands have their way even if they are not in the mood.

Yes, a man can rape his wife

Tunde Alabi

It is possible for a man to rape his wife because if the man feels like it and the lady does not feel like it, then if the man ends up forcing his wife to have sex, it will be counted as rape. This is because sex has to do with the man and the wife coming together to agree.

 It is an offence against nature and God

Moyosoreoluwa Aregbesola

Yes, a man can rape his wife. Sometimes when a man is sexually aroused and he’s too weak to control the urge, it can lead him to rape his wife. But this is an offence against nature and God, because both of them have not agreed to have sex at that moment. God created sex for the couple to enjoy and for them to also come together as one body. However,  if this is not respected by the man, it becomes rape.

 Selfish sex is rape

Dele Osho

Normally, this has to do with both the man and his wife coming as one to agree and satisfy themselves. But if it is not the aim of the man to also satisfy his wife, then we can call it rape. For instance, the man might be in the mood while the wife is not, but if the man wants this for his satisfaction alone and not for his wife’s since she’s not agreeing to it at that moment, then it is rape.

A lot of rape cases in marriage Adetayo Ojelabi

Apparently, a man can be said to have raped his wife. The wife might have declined to have sex with him probably because they had a disagreement. So if she says ‘no’ and the man forces himself on her, we can call it rape.

 Sex should be a mutual agreement

Kehinde Akinbo

Sex is supposed to be mutually agreed between the two parties, and normally the man is meant to prepare his wife for this action. Because of the nature of women, men are meant to make their sexual needs known to their women. With this in mind, the woman will know and will accept. But if the man insists on going for the action without preparing and waiting for the wife to be ready or accept, then it is rape.

Rape,  whether in marriage or not, is a crime

Gbemisola Adegoke

Rape simply means having sexual intercourse with someone  without his or her consent. It is not right for a man to rape his wife but men do it under various circumstances. Rape to me is a crime and therefore has no legal backing. Women are often raped by their husbands but due to ignorance or sometimes because they are trying to protect their husbands, they keep quiet. Though, I still think that rape can be minimised between couples if wives try to satisfy their husbands sexually.

There is nothing like rape in marriage

Paul Jaja

In my own opinion, it is not possible for a man to rape his wife because normally, the woman is your wife. And as the wife, the man has the right to call on her anytime he wishes. However, the man should also understand the mood of the wife to know when she is ready or not. In short, the man should be understanding.

Sex shouldn’t be done with force

Bola Oni

Having intimacy with the wife should not be done with force. The moment the man forces himself on his wife, definitely, it is rape.

Source: Punch