THE IMPACT OF ONLINE FEMINIST FORUMS ON PERCEPTIONS OF MARITAL INFIDELITY AND SINGLE MOTHERHOOD: A STUDY OF LAGOS DIGITAL COMMUNITIES

Background of the Study

The internet has become a powerful space for feminist discourse, providing platforms for individuals to discuss gender equality, women’s rights, and social justice. Online feminist forums, particularly those within digital communities in cities like Lagos, have gained prominence as spaces where radical feminist ideologies, including those associated with toxic feminism, are openly discussed. These forums have been instrumental in reshaping public views on marriage, infidelity, and family life, particularly with respect to the increasing trend of single motherhood.

Lagos, being a major urban center in Nigeria, has a vibrant digital community that actively engages with online feminist spaces. These platforms serve as spaces for individuals, especially women, to voice their opinions on marital issues, including infidelity and single motherhood. This study seeks to explore how online feminist forums in Lagos influence perceptions of marital infidelity and single motherhood, particularly as digital communities become more central to the discourse surrounding gender equality and family structures.

 

Statement of the Problem

While the internet and online feminist communities have provided women with a platform to challenge traditional gender norms, the impact of these forums on societal perceptions of marital infidelity and single motherhood has not been fully explored. This study will investigate how online feminist forums in Lagos shape public perceptions of marital fidelity and the social acceptability of single motherhood, particularly within the context of evolving gender norms.

 

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the role of online feminist forums in shaping perceptions of marital infidelity in Lagos.

To explore how these digital communities contribute to the normalization of single motherhood in Lagos.

To assess the broader social impact of online feminist discourse on public attitudes toward infidelity and single motherhood.

 

Research Questions

How do online feminist forums in Lagos influence perceptions of marital infidelity?

What role do online feminist forums play in shaping societal views on single motherhood in Lagos?

How do online feminist communities in Lagos contribute to the normalization of single motherhood and the redefinition of marital fidelity?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it examines the role of online feminist forums in influencing public attitudes toward marital infidelity and single motherhood. By focusing on Lagos, a city with a large and active digital community, the research will provide valuable insights into the ways that online platforms are reshaping social norms regarding marriage, fidelity, and family life. The findings will contribute to the understanding of how digital communities affect perceptions of traditional family structures.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on online feminist forums and digital communities in Lagos, particularly those discussing marital infidelity and single motherhood. It will not explore other regions or offline feminist groups, nor will it investigate the impact of traditional media. The study will be limited to analyzing the content and discourse within these online spaces rather than audience engagement or response.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Online feminist forums: Digital platforms, including social media groups and websites, where feminist discourse is shared, discussed, and debated, focusing on issues like gender equality, infidelity, and family structures.

Marital infidelity: The act of being unfaithful in a marriage, often involving sexual or emotional betrayal of a spouse.

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

 

References

Olabisi, F. O. (2020). The influence of online feminist forums on perceptions of marital infidelity and single motherhood in Lagos. Journal of African Digital Communities, 13(2), 72-85. Retrieved from https://www.jadc.org/feminism-marital-infidelity

Akinyemi, S. P. (2021). Feminist discourse and the normalization of single motherhood in Lagos digital communities. Nigerian Journal of Social Media Studies, 11(4), 130-143. Retrieved from https://www.njmss.org/feminism-single-motherhood