THE PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLES AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR SPOUSAL VIOLENCE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

European Scientific Journal, Aug 2013

The paper examines the socio-cultural bases of spousal violence in Kaduna Metropolis. It x-rays the perception of gender roles and the socio-cultural causes of spousal violence within the generic concept of gender violence. Given the dearth of data and the lack of systematic documentation of spousal violence, this study attempts to fill the gap by providing a gender sensitive data through its gender disaggregated analysis. The findings of this study were derived from a survey of 590 respondents, 48.9 % (290) females and 51.1% (300) males using the multi-stage cluster sampling technique as well as qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions and In-depth interviews with key informants in the community. The findings reveal that most people still subscribe to the traditional gender roles though submissiveness of women is increasingly being challenged. Moreover, while violence against women is condoned, violence against men by women is unacceptable. Women therefore retaliate through passive resistance in the form of deliberate sluggishness, refusal to serve food and sexual neglect. Insubordination of women and sex related problem were perceived as causes of violence against women while female violence was attributed to aggressiveness on the part of husbands, sex related problems, neglect of the provider role and interference from mothers in-law. The paper concludes that much of the violence that men and women experience is borne out of the social and cultural prescriptions which often are skewed in favour of men and in line with the findings, appropriate recommendations are highlighted. In particular, in view of the important role religion plays in Nigeria, religious leaders should be involved in changing people’s perception on gender roles and attitudes to spousal violence.

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THE PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLES AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR SPOUSAL VIOLENCE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

European Scientific Journal August 2013 edition vol.9 THE PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLES AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR SPOUSAL VIOLENCE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA Patience E. Ukiri Mudiare 0 0 Department of Sociology, Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria, Kaduna State , Nigeria The paper examines the socio-cultural bases of spousal violence in Kaduna Metropolis. It x-rays the perception of gender roles and the sociocultural causes of spousal violence within the generic concept of gender violence. Given the dearth of data and the lack of systematic documentation of spousal violence, this study attempts to fill the gap by providing a gender sensitive data through its gender disaggregated analysis. The findings of this study were derived from a survey of 590 respondents, 48.9 % (290) females and 51.1% (300) males using the multi-stage cluster sampling technique as well as qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions and In-depth interviews with key informants in the community. The findings reveal that most people still subscribe to the traditional gender roles though submissiveness of women is increasingly being challenged. Moreover, while violence against women is condoned, violence against men by women is unacceptable. Women therefore retaliate through passive resistance in the form of deliberate sluggishness, refusal to serve food and sexual neglect. Insubordination of women and sex related problem were perceived as causes of violence against women while female violence was attributed to aggressiveness on the part of husbands, sex related problems, neglect of the provider role and interference from mothers in-law. The paper concludes that much of the violence that men and women experience is borne out of the social and cultural prescriptions which often are skewed in favour of men and in line with the findings, appropriate recommendations are highlighted. In particular, in view of the important role religion plays in Nigeria, religious leaders should be involved in changing people's perception on gender roles and attitudes to spousal violence. - Introduction The marriage institution is highly valued in Nigeria and if one is of marriageable age but is single; such a person is looked upon as irresponsible and unworthy of holding any political office. In the case of men, impotence could also be suspected. There is usually a sigh of relief when such persons eventually get married and in Africa, the marriage ceremony is often elaborate. Among the Hausa for example, the celebration goes on for up to seven days with different activities for each day, before the couple is finally left alone. Yet, this esteemed institution is also the site for much violence that men and women experience. Much of this is due to the perception that people have about gender roles and the associated prestige that accompanies gender stratification in society. For the purpose of this paper, spousal violence refers to any threat or actual harm perpetrated by a man against his wife or vice versa. This includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect. Statement of problem The gender of a child to a large extent can affect the type of life he or she is subjected to. In Nigeria, male children are preferred because it is believed that they will carry on the lineage. Such Igbo name like Afemefule(let my lineage or compound not be lost) is a reflection of the importance attached to the male gender and in such cultures, inheritance of landed property is the preserve of male children. Women generally are less involved in decision making processes in the home and community. This is exemplified by the view of a community leader, when he was asked in an interview about womens participation in the decision making process of his community. His answer was that, Women should be content with their family responsibilities and their economic activities of ground nut oil and dawadawa (fermented locust beans seasoning) processing and that if they (women) had any contributions on any issue, they should route them through their husbands. Women too have come to internalize such low concept of themselves. For example, among the Tiv in the past, if someone knocked at the door and asked Who is home?, the women would respond, There is nobody home, only us! Although women are increasing beginning to assert themselves as they become more empowered educationally and economically, they continue to be viewed through patriarchal lenses. This probably explains why certain stereotypes on gender roles have not changed much and why spousal violence especially against women but not husbands persists. For example, it is an abomination for a woman to beat up her husband and a woman is blamed more if she attacks her husband. In the Urhobo tradition, such a woman is made to pay a fine, and causing a man to fall down, calls for the sacrifice of a goat to appease the ancestors. Also, among the Bajju, the Abvai Spirit not only prohibits women from eating nutritious (...truncated)


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Patience E. Ukiri Mudiare. THE PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLES AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR SPOUSAL VIOLENCE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA, European Scientific Journal, 2013, 23,