PATRIARCHY: A TRIPOD ON WHICH GENDER INEQUITY STANDS

Abstract

The study examined the role which patriarchy plays in strengthening gender inequity in Nigeria. The study utilised a descriptive research design. The data was collected using questionnaire as the primary source and journal articles as the secondary source. The population of the study included all male and female adult citizens in Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was utilised in choosing 100 respondents for the study. The questionnaire was distributed to respondents using an online Google form. The data was analysed using excel spread sheet and results presented in the form of charts and tables. The theoretical framework for this work is exchange theory by George Homans which examined human behaviour and interactions. This is necessary because exchange theory is concerned not only with individual behaviour but also interactions between people involving an exchange of rewards and costs. This study discovered that patriarchy is the strength behind gender inequity. It was recommended that a system which accommodates both sexes equally should be created and this can be done by changing certain political, religious and cultural beliefs that have been in existence for many decades in Nigeria. Therefore, the people, the government, traditional heads and religious heads must all join hands together to make this a reality.