AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CULTURAL UNDERPINNINGS OF TOXIC FEMINISM AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SINGLE MOTHERHOOD: A STUDY OF URBAN COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN

Background of the Study

Toxic feminism, often associated with radical feminist ideologies that reject traditional gender roles and family structures, has sparked significant debate in many parts of the world. In Nigeria, urban communities like Ibadan have witnessed a rise in feminist discourse, particularly among young women in professional and academic circles. While feminism has been instrumental in advancing gender equality, certain aspects of toxic feminism challenge conventional views on marriage, gender roles, and the family structure, which can inadvertently influence the rise of single motherhood.

Single motherhood in urban Nigerian communities has been steadily increasing, with many women choosing to raise children independently, sometimes as a result of ideological beliefs that question the necessity of a patriarchal family structure. This study aims to investigate how toxic feminist ideologies, rooted in cultural narratives within Ibadan’s urban communities, are linked to the increasing trend of single motherhood. It will explore the cultural factors that influence the acceptance of these feminist ideologies and how they relate to women’s decisions to become single mothers.

 

Statement of the Problem

The increasing trend of single motherhood in urban Nigerian communities, particularly in Ibadan, may be influenced by feminist ideologies that promote independence and reject traditional family norms. However, the impact of toxic feminist rhetoric on the rise of single motherhood has not been sufficiently studied in the Nigerian context. This research seeks to investigate the cultural underpinnings of toxic feminism and how these ideologies contribute to the rising trend of single motherhood in Ibadan’s urban areas.

 

Objectives of the Study

To examine the cultural factors that contribute to the acceptance of toxic feminist ideologies in Ibadan’s urban communities.

To explore the relationship between toxic feminism and the rise of single motherhood in these communities.

To evaluate the social and psychological implications of toxic feminist ideologies on women’s decisions to embrace single motherhood.

 

Research Questions

What are the cultural factors that promote the acceptance of toxic feminist ideologies in Ibadan’s urban communities?

How does toxic feminism contribute to the rise of single motherhood in Ibadan?

What are the social and psychological effects of embracing toxic feminist ideologies on women who choose single motherhood in Ibadan?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it will provide valuable insights into the cultural dynamics that underpin the rise of single motherhood in urban Nigerian communities, particularly in Ibadan. The findings will help policymakers, family counselors, and gender activists understand the impact of feminist ideologies on family structures and single motherhood. Additionally, the research will offer a deeper understanding of how cultural beliefs intersect with feminist narratives to shape women’s decisions regarding marriage and motherhood.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on urban communities in Ibadan and explore how toxic feminist ideologies, rooted in cultural narratives, influence the decision to embrace single motherhood. The research will be limited to a sample of women who identify with or are influenced by feminist ideologies and will not address the broader socioeconomic factors contributing to single motherhood in Ibadan.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Toxic feminism: A radical form of feminism that challenges traditional gender roles and promotes independence at the cost of conventional family structures.

Single motherhood: The condition in which a woman raises her child independently without the involvement or support of a partner.

Cultural underpinnings: The cultural beliefs, values, and traditions that influence individual and collective behaviours and ideologies.

 

References

Ayodele, F. P. (2021). Cultural influences on feminist ideologies and single motherhood in Ibadan. Journal of African Family Studies, 20(3), 98-112. Retrieved from https://www.jafs.org/cultural-impacts-single-motherhood

Madu, O. R. (2020). Toxic feminism and its cultural roots in urban Nigerian communities. Nigerian Journal of Gender and Social Studies, 29(4), 76-88. Retrieved from https://www.ngss.org/toxic-feminism-urban-nigeria