AN INVESTIGATION OF PATRIARCHAL BACKLASH AGAINST TOXIC FEMINIST MOVEMENTS AND ITS IMPACT ON SINGLE MOTHERHOOD RATES: A STUDY OF LAGOS SOCIETAL RESPONSES

Background of the Study

Patriarchal backlash against feminist movements, particularly toxic feminism, which advocates for radical gender equality and the dismantling of traditional gender roles, has become a significant social issue in many societies. In Nigeria, toxic feminist ideologies challenge the traditional expectations of marriage, family roles, and gender dynamics, often advocating for women’s autonomy and independence. This challenge to traditional norms has provoked backlash from patriarchal sectors of society, leading to a polarized debate on women’s rights, gender roles, and family structures.

Lagos, being Nigeria's largest city and a center of economic, political, and cultural life, offers a unique context for studying the societal responses to feminist movements, particularly in the face of patriarchal resistance. This study will examine how patriarchal backlash against toxic feminist movements in Lagos has affected perceptions of single motherhood, particularly in terms of its societal acceptability and rates of occurrence. The research will assess whether patriarchal reactions contribute to the stigmatization or normalization of single motherhood in Lagos.

 

Statement of the Problem

While toxic feminism has been influential in reshaping gender relations, the patriarchal backlash against these movements and its impact on single motherhood rates in Lagos has not been sufficiently explored. This study will investigate how societal responses to feminist movements influence the rise of single motherhood, particularly in the context of Lagos, where traditional and modern values often clash.

 

Objectives of the Study

To assess the impact of patriarchal backlash against toxic feminist movements on societal perceptions of single motherhood in Lagos.

To explore how patriarchal resistance to feminist movements affects the rates of single motherhood in Lagos.

To investigate the role of cultural, economic, and political factors in shaping societal attitudes toward single motherhood amidst patriarchal backlash.

 

Research Questions

How does patriarchal backlash against toxic feminist movements influence societal perceptions of single motherhood in Lagos?

What impact does this backlash have on the rates of single motherhood in Lagos?

How do cultural, economic, and political factors contribute to the societal responses to feminist movements and the rise of single motherhood?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it will offer insights into the intersection of patriarchal backlash, feminist movements, and single motherhood in Lagos. By exploring the effects of societal responses to toxic feminism, the research will contribute to the understanding of how gender ideologies shape perceptions of family life, particularly regarding single motherhood. The findings will be valuable for policymakers, gender researchers, and social advocates working to address the challenges of single motherhood in contemporary Nigerian society.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus on Lagos, examining societal responses to toxic feminism and their impact on single motherhood rates. The research will be limited to exploring patriarchal backlash and will not address broader social or economic factors influencing single motherhood outside of the feminist context. It will also not explore rural areas or other Nigerian cities.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Patriarchal backlash: The resistance and opposition to feminist movements, particularly those advocating for gender equality and women’s autonomy, often rooted in traditional patriarchal norms.

Toxic feminism: A form of feminism that advocates for radical gender equality, often rejecting traditional gender roles and family structures.

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

 

References

Eze, T. F. (2021). Patriarchal backlash and the rise of single motherhood in Lagos. Journal of African Gender and Family Studies, 19(4), 102-114. Retrieved from https://www.jagfs.org/patriarchal-backlash-single-motherhood

Okafor, C. J. (2020). The impact of patriarchal backlash on single motherhood rates in Lagos. Nigerian Journal of Social Issues, 23(2), 89-101. Retrieved from https://www.njsi.org/patriarchal-backlash-single-motherhood