AN EVALUATION OF THE PORTRAYAL OF TOXIC FEMINISM IN NIGERIAN CINEMA AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SINGLE MOTHERHOOD PERCEPTIONS: A STUDY OF NOLLYWOOD FILMS IN LAGOS

Background of the Study

Nigerian cinema, popularly known as Nollywood, plays a crucial role in shaping societal views, cultural norms, and public perceptions of various social issues. Over the years, Nollywood has portrayed a wide range of topics related to family life, gender roles, and personal autonomy, including depictions of feminism and single motherhood. The rise of toxic feminism in popular culture, including in Nollywood films, has contributed to changing societal views on marriage, family structures, and the role of women within those structures.

This study aims to evaluate how Nollywood films in Lagos portray toxic feminism and its influence on perceptions of single motherhood. By analyzing the representations of women’s independence, the rejection of traditional gender roles, and the normalization of single motherhood in popular Nollywood films, the study seeks to explore how these portrayals impact societal acceptance of single motherhood in Nigeria.

 

Statement of the Problem

While Nollywood has long been a powerful cultural force in Nigeria, its role in shaping attitudes toward feminist ideologies and single motherhood remains underexplored. This study will investigate how toxic feminism is represented in Nollywood films and how these representations influence public attitudes toward single motherhood, particularly in Lagos, a city at the heart of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

 

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the portrayal of toxic feminism in Nollywood films and its influence on the public perception of single motherhood.

To explore the themes of female empowerment, independence, and single motherhood in Nollywood films set in Lagos.

To assess how these portrayals impact societal attitudes towards single motherhood and the normalization of women raising children independently.

 

Research Questions

How is toxic feminism portrayed in Nollywood films, and what impact does it have on societal perceptions of single motherhood in Lagos?

What are the key themes of female empowerment and independence in Nollywood films, and how do they influence perceptions of single motherhood?

How do Nollywood films contribute to the normalization of single motherhood in Nigerian society, particularly in urban areas like Lagos?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it provides insight into the role of Nollywood films in shaping public perceptions of toxic feminism and single motherhood. The findings will be valuable for filmmakers, policymakers, and gender researchers seeking to understand the cultural impact of popular media on family structures and social norms. It will also help to assess whether Nollywood films contribute to the acceptance or rejection of single motherhood in modern Nigerian society.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on Nollywood films produced and distributed in Lagos, particularly those that portray toxic feminism and single motherhood. It will not explore films from other parts of Nigeria or the influence of international cinema. The research will be limited to analyzing the content and themes of the films rather than audience reception or socio-economic factors influencing perceptions.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Toxic feminism: A form of feminism that advocates extreme and radical views, rejecting traditional gender roles and promoting women’s independence at the cost of conventional family structures.

Nollywood: The Nigerian film industry, known for producing a vast number of films that reflect Nigerian society, culture, and social issues.

Single motherhood: The condition of a woman raising her child independently, without the involvement or support of a partner.

 

References

Olayinka, D. O. (2021). Toxic feminism and single motherhood in Nollywood films: An analysis of Lagos-based productions. Journal of Nigerian Film Studies, 14(1), 89-102. Retrieved from https://www.jnfs.org/toxic-feminism-single-motherhood

Adebayo, K. O. (2020). The role of Nollywood in shaping perceptions of single motherhood in urban Nigeria. African Cinema Review, 19(2), 56-69. Retrieved from https://www.africancinemareview.org/films-single-motherhood