Marriage is the legally binding formal ceremony involving two consenting adults - a man and a woman, coming together in matrimony. Marriage should never be entered into without the consent of the respective parents of both parties. It is a union between a man and a woman and no one else. Although typically, our African culture dictates that when one marries, one marries into the family of one’s spouse, this should not be taken literally to mean that one own family and in-laws should have a say or a vote in marital issues. Indeed, I make bold to say that one of the greatest causes of marital separation and divorce in Nigeria is the 3^rd Party syndrome. This occurs when undue attention is paid to the observations and opinions of “Externers” who were not joined in marriage with the couple – friends, family, in-laws, colleagues, neighbours and yes, even the couple’s own children.