AN EXAMINATION OF LEGAL FRAMEWORKS ADDRESSING GENDER EQUALITY AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE MOTHERHOOD TRENDS: A CASE OF THE LAGOS FAMILY COURT

Background of the Study

Gender equality has been a significant focus of legal reforms worldwide, particularly in the context of family law. In Nigeria, the legal system has been evolving to address gender-based inequalities, especially concerning marriage, divorce, and child custody. However, despite these advances, the legal frameworks that govern gender equality in family matters have faced criticism for being slow to adapt to changing social norms, particularly with regard to single motherhood. Single motherhood has become an increasingly prominent trend in Nigerian society, particularly in urban centers like Lagos, where women are more likely to pursue careers and independent lives, sometimes outside of traditional family structures.

The Lagos Family Court plays a pivotal role in addressing issues related to divorce, custody, and maintenance. This court operates within the legal framework designed to ensure fairness and equality in family matters, but its effectiveness in promoting gender equality and its implications for the growing trend of single motherhood remains underexplored. This study aims to examine the legal frameworks addressing gender equality in the Lagos Family Court and explore their implications for single motherhood trends.

 

Statement of the Problem

While legal reforms have been introduced to promote gender equality, the effects of these reforms on single motherhood in Lagos have not been adequately studied. This research seeks to explore how the legal frameworks established by the Lagos Family Court address gender equality and their direct or indirect implications for the rise in single motherhood. It will also investigate whether the court’s rulings on divorce and child custody reflect an evolving understanding of gender roles and family structures.

 

Objectives of the Study

To examine the legal frameworks addressing gender equality in family law, particularly those enforced by the Lagos Family Court.

To assess the impact of these legal frameworks on single motherhood trends in Lagos.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Lagos Family Court in promoting gender equality in family matters and its implications for women who choose single motherhood.

 

Research Questions

What legal frameworks addressing gender equality are implemented by the Lagos Family Court, and how do they relate to issues of single motherhood?

How have the legal reforms in family law influenced single motherhood trends in Lagos?

To what extent does the Lagos Family Court support gender equality in its rulings on divorce, custody, and maintenance?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it addresses the role of the legal system in shaping family structures, particularly in relation to single motherhood. By focusing on the Lagos Family Court, this research will offer valuable insights into how legal frameworks can impact social trends like single motherhood, and how these frameworks can be improved to better promote gender equality. The findings will be useful for policymakers, legal professionals, and gender equality advocates working to refine family law in Nigeria.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus specifically on the Lagos Family Court and its legal frameworks concerning gender equality. It will assess the court's rulings on family matters such as divorce and child custody but will not explore the broader legal reforms in other regions or the impact of societal attitudes toward single motherhood outside the legal context.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Gender equality: The equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for individuals of all genders, particularly in family law matters such as divorce, custody, and maintenance.

Single motherhood: A situation in which a mother raises her child independently, without the support or involvement of a partner.

Lagos Family Court: A specialized court in Lagos that deals with family-related legal matters such as divorce, child custody, and maintenance.

 

References

Adebayo, S. M. (2021). Gender equality and family law in Lagos: A case study of the Family Court. Journal of Nigerian Legal Studies, 25(3), 78-90. Retrieved from https://www.jnls.org/gender-equality-family-court

Olumide, F. O. (2020). Legal frameworks and the rise of single motherhood in Lagos. Nigerian Journal of Family Law, 18(1), 60-72. Retrieved from https://www.njfl.org/legal-frameworks-single-motherhood