People tend to believe that power imbalance that women and men experience in an intimate relationship is natural, the way it should be and of course, something that should not be debated. The problem with this argument and/or generalisation is that it usually suggests that hegemonic masculinity should not be interrogated. In Africa, power imbalances are one of the challenges that have limited women in society. This practice is influenced by culture, religion, traditional practices and laws which influence perceptions, and expectations of people in intimate relationships. This study, Power imbalances among intimate partners in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area encapsulate the dynamics of gender power relations that exist in intimate, heterosexual relationships in four communities.
This study seeks to examine intimate partners’ perception of decision making, the extent of its social acceptability and relevance of their socio-economic circumstances towards power imbalances. The population for this study was twenty-seven thousand three hundred and fifty-five. Sample size was calculated using the Taro Yamame determination technique which stood at three hundred and ninety-four. The study employed a survey research design which consisted of twenty-two items on a four-point Likert scale of (Agree, Strongly Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree). Simple percentage (%) and frequency table was used to analyze the data. The study found that partners socio-economic circumstances did not reflect a significant degree of influence on power imbalances. This study therefore, recommend for responsive gender equality programmes that support and empower both partners.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Objectives and Topics
The primary research objective is to examine the existence and social acceptability of power imbalances among intimate partners in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, exploring how these dynamics intersect with socio-economic status, educational background, and cultural/religious influences.
- Perception of decision-making authority within heterosexual relationships.
- The influence of socio-economic circumstances on power distribution.
- Social acceptability of traditional power imbalances and gender roles.
- Correlations between power equality, relationship success, and gender-based violence.
- The role of cultural norms and religious systems in sustaining male dominance.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background to the Study
Not long ago, power imbalances is increasingly recognized in most relationships as some element that fuels inequalities and conflict among intimate partners, particularly those in heterosexual relationships. Hidden powers exist and structure many partners’ interactions despite their true and good intentions to each other Knudson-Martin (2013). Repeatedly, partners speak as if they are fully equal, unaware of the ways subtle gendered power affects their relationships, which has led to some partners hurt and frustrated, but they do not know why (Theiss & Solomon, 2007). In Africa, power imbalance is one of the challenges that have held women back in society combined with religious, cultural influences and the patriarchal nature of the African society Langen (2005).
In this day and age, it is believed scholars are currently looking beyond individual behaviours to specific factors and/or conditions that influence behaviour. These factors may include but are not limited to - social norms, patriarchy, and hegemonic masculinity (Connell, Messerschmidt, & society, 2005). The influence of these factors contributes to gender-based circumstances within intimate partners’ relationships of cis-heterosexual men and women as shown in various literatures (Theiss & Solomon, 2007). Gendered power imbalances, essentially, influence sexual interactions and decision making in which cases may increase a partner’s degree of vulnerability to gender-based violence (Wingood, DiClemente, & Jossey-Bass, 2002). These influences determine peoples’ views and perceptions of social issues through a cultural lens which had made it to be inappropriate for women to criticize and/or challenge their subjugation presented in their partner’s decision without labels (Mahoney, Knudson-Martin, & relationships, 2009). This is predominant, especially, in highly patriarchal societies like Africa where women often find it difficult to express themselves for fear of appearing rebellious (Pereira, Adomako, & Arnfred, 2010).
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides the foundation for the study by defining the scope, problem statement, and objectives regarding power imbalances among intimate partners.
CHAPTER TWO: Reviews scholarly literature and theoretical frameworks, such as Radical Feminist Theory, to contextualize gendered power, intimacy, and hegemonic masculinity.
CHAPTER THREE: Outlines the survey research design, study area, sampling techniques, and instrumentation used for data collection in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
CHAPTER FIVE: Synthesizes the research findings, concludes the study, and provides policy recommendations for achieving gender equality in relationships.
Keywords
Power imbalances, Intimate partners, Gender inequality, Hegemonic masculinity, Patriarchy, Obio-Akpor, Decision-making, Socio-economic circumstances, Gender-based violence, Social norms, Heterosexual relationships, Radical feminist theory, Gender-responsive programming, Individual agency, Bodily autonomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on analyzing the existence, nature, and social perception of power imbalances among heterosexual intimate partners in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.
What are the primary themes explored in the study?
The central themes include decision-making authority, the impact of socio-economic status on relationship power, the role of cultural/religious traditions, and the correlation between unequal power relations and gender-based violence.
What is the main research question or objective?
The primary aim is to determine to what extent unequal power relations exist, whether they are socially acceptable, and how these imbalances vary across different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds of the partners.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The study employed a survey research design, utilizing a closed-ended (APP) Attitude, Perception, and Practice questionnaire administered to 394 respondents across four purposively selected urban and pre-urban communities.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a comprehensive literature review of feminist theories and gendered power, followed by a detailed methodology and an empirical discussion of the field data concerning how power is negotiated or contested in domestic settings.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include power imbalances, gender inequality, intimate partners, hegemonic masculinity, socio-economic factors, domestic decision-making, and social acceptability of gender norms.
How does the study define "intimate partners" in this context?
The study defines them as cis-heterosexual persons involved in an intimate romantic relationship based on consent, whether married or unmarried, who have been living together for more than a year.
What did the findings reveal about the role of education in power dynamics?
The findings indicated that while respondents generally disagree that education makes a female partner disrespectful, they largely agree that it is beneficial for women to be educated and employed before marriage to ensure better participation in decision-making.
Why are cultural norms significant in the results?
The results highlight that power imbalances are significantly maintained by deeply rooted cultural norms and religious beliefs, which often dictate that the male partner should hold authority, thus limiting female agency.
- Citar trabajo
- Amadi Jennifer Chinoye (Autor), 2021, Power Imbalances among intimate Partners. The Area of Obio-Akpor Local Government, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/988797
