AN ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL NARRATIVES SURROUNDING INFIDELITY AND FEMINIST ENTITLEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF ABUJA’S MEDIA REPRESENTATION

Background of the Study

In Nigerian society, infidelity is often viewed as a serious breach of trust within marriages, yet the portrayal of infidelity and its justification in the media has evolved over time, particularly with the rise of feminist discourses. Feminist entitlement, a subset of feminist ideology, emphasizes women’s right to autonomy, independence, and equality, sometimes leading to the assertion that women, like men, should have the freedom to engage in extramarital relationships without judgment. In Abuja, Nigeria’s political capital, the media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal norms and public perceptions, including those related to marriage, fidelity, and gender roles.

This study aims to assess how the media in Abuja represents infidelity through the lens of feminist entitlement, examining the cultural narratives that justify or challenge infidelity in marital relationships. The role of the media in either normalizing or condemning infidelity and its relationship with feminist ideologies will be critically analyzed, with a focus on how these representations affect public opinion and the broader cultural understanding of gender equality within relationships.

 

Statement of the Problem

Despite the growing acceptance of feminist ideas in Nigerian society, the media’s portrayal of infidelity and feminist entitlement has not been sufficiently explored. This study will assess how Abuja-based media outlets represent infidelity within the context of feminist entitlement, and how these representations influence cultural perceptions of marital fidelity. The findings will help identify how cultural narratives surrounding infidelity are being reshaped by feminist ideologies in urban Nigerian settings.

 

Objectives of the Study

To assess how media representations in Abuja shape cultural narratives surrounding infidelity.

To explore the relationship between feminist entitlement ideologies and the media’s portrayal of infidelity.

To examine the impact of these media representations on public attitudes towards infidelity and marital fidelity in Abuja.

 

Research Questions

How do media outlets in Abuja represent infidelity, particularly in relation to feminist entitlement ideologies?

To what extent do media representations of infidelity influence cultural perceptions of marital fidelity in Abuja?

How do feminist entitlement ideologies in the media affect societal views on the acceptability of infidelity in marital relationships?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it addresses a gap in understanding the media’s role in shaping public perceptions of infidelity and feminist ideologies in Nigeria. By focusing on Abuja, where media representation plays a central role in influencing cultural norms, this research will provide valuable insights into how these narratives contribute to changing societal views on marriage, fidelity, and gender equality. The findings will help media practitioners, policymakers, and gender scholars understand the cultural implications of media representations of infidelity and feminist entitlement.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus on Abuja-based media outlets, including newspapers, television, and online platforms, and their portrayal of infidelity in relation to feminist entitlement. The research will be limited to analyzing media content and will not examine personal experiences or the broader impact of infidelity outside of media representations. The study will focus on urban Nigerian perspectives and will not explore rural or regional variations in cultural narratives.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Feminist entitlement: A belief within certain feminist ideologies that women are entitled to freedom, independence, and equality, sometimes including the right to engage in extramarital relationships without judgment.

Infidelity: The act of being unfaithful in a marriage, typically involving emotional or sexual betrayal.

Media representation: The portrayal of ideas, events, and individuals through various media forms, which in this study focuses on how infidelity and feminist entitlement are represented in the media.

 

References

Ojo, J. A. (2020). Feminist entitlement and media portrayals of infidelity in urban Nigerian communities. Journal of Nigerian Media Studies, 16(2), 84-97. Retrieved from https://www.jnms.org/feminist-entitlement-infidelity

Adebanjo, M. L. (2021). Cultural narratives and feminist entitlement in Abuja's media landscape. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 19(3), 110-125. Retrieved from https://www.jacs.org/feminist-entitlement-abujas-media