Social change and traditional gender roles in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Our societies are changing such that the gender roles rapidly change. The 21st century has seen a shift in gender roles due to multiple factors such as new family structures, education, media, and several others. The article examines the influence of social change on traditional gender roles. Two hundred and twenty seven respondents consisted of 135 Females (59.5%) and 92 Males (40.5%) participated in the survey. The study adopted descriptive method of research design. The age of respondents ranged between 15 to 56years with the mean age of 36years. Two hypotheses were tested and the results revealed that there is statistically significant difference between traditional gender roles and contemporary gender roles in selected local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria. The study further reveals that there is statistically significant difference between social change and female gender supports in selected local government areas, Lagos Nigeria. This research work attested to the fact that the shifts from male breadwinner and female career model to double-income and singleparent or female headed households have transformed the established ways of distributing work between men and women. In policy terms at least, women are no longer seen as being solely responsible for family work and care. House  chores that were regarded as solely the females’ work are now being shared by women and men. Contemporarily, though Male gender is still regarded as the head of the family and is still ahead of female gender in the provisions of family needs, female gender share in all household expenses, such as house-rent, decision making, payment of children school fees. To promote gender equality in this post millennium development goals (MDGs) era, there is need for more women empowerment programmes and projects, enlightenment campaign on more female involvement in decision making and inclusion of women interest in development policies in Nigeria.

Key words: Social Change, Traditional Gender roles, Contemporary gender roles, Nigeria