A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF TOXIC FEMINISM AND THEIR IMPACT ON SINGLE MOTHERHOOD: A CASE OF ABUJA BROADCAST MEDIA

Background of the Study

The media plays a significant role in shaping societal attitudes, especially concerning gender roles, marriage, and family dynamics. In Nigeria, broadcast media, including television and radio, is a dominant force in disseminating ideas about gender equality, feminism, and family life. Toxic feminism, characterized by its radical rejection of traditional gender roles, has gained visibility in Nigerian media as part of the broader feminist movement. However, the way this ideology is represented in the media and its subsequent impact on perceptions of single motherhood remains a critical area of study.

In Abuja, Nigeria's political capital, broadcast media serves a diverse and influential audience, offering a platform for feminist discourse that challenges conventional views on marriage and family structures. This study seeks to analyze how toxic feminism is portrayed in Abuja's broadcast media and its impact on public attitudes toward single motherhood, particularly in urban contexts where changing gender norms are more prevalent.

 

Statement of the Problem

Despite the increasing representation of toxic feminism in the media, its impact on public attitudes toward single motherhood, especially in the context of Nigerian broadcast media, has not been sufficiently explored. This study will examine how toxic feminist ideologies are represented in Abuja's broadcast media and how these representations influence societal perceptions of single motherhood, especially among the urban youth and middle class.

 

Objectives of the Study

To analyze how toxic feminism is represented in Abuja’s broadcast media.

To assess the impact of media representations of toxic feminism on societal perceptions of single motherhood.

To explore the relationship between media portrayals of toxic feminism and the normalization of single motherhood in Abuja.

 

Research Questions

How is toxic feminism represented in Abuja’s broadcast media?

What impact do media representations of toxic feminism have on public perceptions of single motherhood?

How do the portrayals of toxic feminism in broadcast media influence the social acceptance of single motherhood in urban Nigerian society?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it addresses the role of broadcast media in shaping societal views on gender equality and family life, particularly in the context of single motherhood. Understanding how toxic feminism is represented in the media and its influence on public attitudes toward single motherhood will provide valuable insights for media practitioners, policymakers, and gender researchers. The findings will also contribute to the broader discourse on the social implications of media portrayals of feminist ideologies.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on Abuja’s broadcast media, particularly television and radio, and how they represent toxic feminism and single motherhood. It will not explore other forms of media such as print or digital media, nor will it address perceptions in rural areas or outside Abuja. The research will focus on the content of media representations rather than audience reception or response.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Toxic feminism: A radical form of feminism that challenges traditional gender roles and family structures, often advocating for the complete rejection of patriarchal systems.

Single motherhood: The state of raising children independently without the involvement or support of a partner.

Broadcast media: Television and radio stations that transmit content to a wide audience, influencing public opinion and societal norms.

 

References

Adebayo, K. O. (2021). Media representations of toxic feminism and their impact on single motherhood in Abuja. Nigerian Journal of Media Studies, 19(3), 105-118. Retrieved from https://www.njms.org/toxic-feminism-single-motherhood

Okoro, A. C. (2020). Toxic feminism and media portrayals of family structures in Abuja. Journal of Nigerian Gender Studies, 16(4), 88-101. Retrieved from https://www.jngs.org/media-representations-feminism