Power Imbalances among intimate Partners. The Area of Obio-Akpor Local Government

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

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.