A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SINGLE MOTHERHOOD TRENDS AND TOXIC FEMINIST IDEOLOGIES ACROSS NIGERIAN REGIONS: A CASE OF LAGOS VERSUS ENUGU COMMUNITIES

Background of the Study

Single motherhood is a growing social phenomenon, and the trends surrounding it can vary significantly across different regions in Nigeria. In recent years, toxic feminist ideologies, which promote radical gender equality and challenge traditional family roles, have contributed to the shifting dynamics surrounding single motherhood. While Lagos, as Nigeria's commercial capital, has embraced a more liberal view on gender roles, Enugu, a cultural hub in southeastern Nigeria, has retained more traditional values. This study aims to explore how toxic feminist ideologies have influenced single motherhood trends in these two contrasting regions.

Lagos, a metropolitan city with diverse and progressive attitudes towards gender, provides a fertile ground for the dissemination of toxic feminist ideas. In contrast, Enugu, where traditional cultural values still hold sway, may experience these ideologies in a different context, possibly leading to different attitudes toward single motherhood. This study will compare the impact of toxic feminism on single motherhood trends in Lagos and Enugu, assessing how regional cultural contexts shape the acceptance or rejection of these ideologies.

 

Statement of the Problem

Although single motherhood trends are rising in various parts of Nigeria, the role of toxic feminist ideologies in influencing these trends across different regions remains underexplored. This study will compare the impact of toxic feminist ideologies on single motherhood in Lagos and Enugu, two cities with distinct cultural and socio-economic contexts.

 

Objectives of the Study

To compare the influence of toxic feminist ideologies on single motherhood trends in Lagos and Enugu.

To assess how regional cultural contexts influence the acceptance of toxic feminist ideologies and the rise of single motherhood.

To explore the socio-cultural implications of single motherhood in Lagos and Enugu, with a focus on the impact of feminist discourses.

 

Research Questions

How have toxic feminist ideologies influenced single motherhood trends in Lagos and Enugu?

How do cultural differences between Lagos and Enugu shape attitudes toward single motherhood?

What socio-cultural factors contribute to the varying impact of toxic feminism on single motherhood in these two regions?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it offers a comparative analysis of single motherhood trends in two of Nigeria’s most prominent regions, Lagos and Enugu. By exploring the influence of toxic feminist ideologies, the research will provide insights into how regional cultural contexts shape perceptions of single motherhood. The findings will be valuable for policymakers, gender researchers, and social activists working to address the challenges faced by single mothers in Nigeria.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on Lagos and Enugu, comparing the impact of toxic feminist ideologies on single motherhood in these two regions. It will not explore other regions or cities in Nigeria. The study will be limited to examining regional attitudes and socio-cultural factors, without delving into legal or economic factors influencing single motherhood.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Toxic feminism: A form of feminism that promotes radical gender equality and often rejects traditional family structures, advocating for women’s autonomy at the expense of marital roles.

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

Regional cultural contexts: The unique cultural, social, and historical factors that shape attitudes and norms in a particular region.

 

References

Chukwu, T. A. (2021). Toxic feminism and single motherhood in Lagos and Enugu: A comparative study. Nigerian Journal of Gender and Family Dynamics, 19(2), 87-99. Retrieved from https://www.njgfd.org/toxic-feminism-single-motherhood

Nwachukwu, R. T. (2020). Single motherhood trends and feminist ideologies in Lagos and Enugu. Journal of African Social Studies, 18(3), 113-126. Retrieved from https://www.jass.org/single-motherhood-feminism