The Family Unit in Nigerian Society: A Traditional Legacy - Research Paper

Introduction

Nigeria, just like many other Africa societies, is one that has attempted to hold tightly to the traditions and religion. The structure of the family in Nigerian society unit is simple and consists of a man who is the head of the house, the women who are required to be submissive and the children who are to obey both parents. Ideally, this structure is the most familiar one not only to African societies, but also many Western and Eastern cultures. While these characteristics dominate the Nigerian cultures, the issue of gender roles has taken a central stage in all the activities that people engage in. As something that has not ended at home, the gender role has spread out to determine the socio-political and the economic positions that men have had about women. This has consistently been a tremendous advantage and dominance. Within the global sphere, therefore, the women have become tired of being looked down upon. The development of the female ideologies, argument, and narratives has taken a central position as part of current evolution. This study, therefore, aims at examining the roles of women in Nigeria, and how the changing gender identities have impacted and influenced positive changes in the Nigerian economy. The paper holds that from the pre-colonial times, the role of women in Nigeria has continually changed and evolved. However, the powerful images of an oppressed, marginalized and helpless group have taken the attention away from the accurate understanding of Nigerian women's role in society and the integral part they play in their society.

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Role of Women in Nigerian Society

Studies have shown that women in Nigeria played crucial roles in both social and economic activities. Ideally, the division of labor was based along the gender lines. Because of their 'inferiority,' women were given the roles of controlling such activities and occupations such as food processing, mat weaving, pottery making, and cooking. Although the property such as lands was communally owned, women only had access to it through their parents or husbands (Nwosu 1242). Within such systems, men played the central role of being the head of their families. However, the older women had to control the labor especially for the younger family.

Women played a crucial role in trade. For instance, the Yoruba women constituted central figures in the long-distance trade with tremendous opportunities that enabled them to acquire massive wealth and societal titles. The successful ones were given the name iyalode which implied a powerful position that consisted of numerous privileges. This means that men beyond the household level generally dominated power, but in many areas, the titles were given to the women (Nwosu 1240). For instance, the queen mother among the Yoruba and Edo communities was conferred to the King's mother or another free woman who possessed relevant qualifications and considerable stature. As such, therefore, she had the powers to preside over numerous religious ceremonies with the subordinate titleholders in her support (Olasupo 4-5). Many communities in Nigeria such as the Hausa and Yoruba bestowed such high profile recognition to women who were further treated like kings and heroines. Moremi of Ile-Ife and Amina of Zaria are the example of notable female legendary figures (Mba 45).

It is, however, essential to note that the most significant threats to the privileges and influence of women occurred in the 20th century when the patriarchy and colonial systems combined to exert their power to undermine the female gender roles and relations (Ejukonemu 26-28). Ideally, the studies have shown that males' chiefs collaborated with British colonial administration in Nigeria especially in the activities such as tax collection and governance. As such, the female dominance in the leadership positions tremendously declined in its functionality.

It even reached a point where Nigeria's economy was dominated by men and the European companies, especially when the nation's economy became rapidly focused towards cash crops production for export purposes. The commercialization of the land emerged, therefore, replacing a previous land-tenure system that had prevented land alienation. Individuals who had access to a considerable amount of money, therefore, benefitted from the sale of the cash crops. The presence of the British colonialists led to the introduction of the western-style education, which also failed to provide a favorable climate for the girls and therefore primarily excluded women from numerous new occupations that were introduced as a result of colonialism.

Evolved in the Role of Nigerian Women

Crucial that the role of women in Nigeria has undergone tremendous evolution with a lot of alternative approaches used to reduce the male-dominated system. The most powerful agent of change for the modern Nigerian woman has been the nation's formal education system. A closer look at this evolution would reveal that a large number of elite women have emerged as a result. Ideally, intelligent, confident, and educated women can be found in all the occupation currently. They have now gained both the social an economic power to challenge many aspects of patriarchy and gradually organizing to ensure that the political arena expands tremendously to give them enough space (Siyanbola 14).

Effects of Religion Nigeria’s Women

Religion has been a significant determiner of the gender roles in Nigeria (Agbasiere 54). Traditionally and naturally, Nigeria women took the roles of mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. Therefore, women generally play a significant and vital role both in the societal and households levels. Additionally, throughout the Nigerian history, women stood as the sine qua non to the commercial house exchanges as well as the bilateral agreements of the contributions. Although these roles are demonstrated, they were made possible by the influence of the religious teachings, especially the Islamic ones.

In the Northern part of Nigeria, the Islamic norms have generally shaped the ordinary way of people's life, whereby women are confinement to households and not permitted to conduct the unnecessary roaming beyond the premises nearby willingly (Bello 34-37). Once married, they cannot grumble any disturbances based on the notion that marriage in Islam is subjected to tremendous and absolute misinterpretation. As such, the women living in urban areas are partially selling cooked foods, usually through the use of their young daughters. A considerable contrast is observed when it comes to women in the South. In this region, women have essential economic positions in the interregional trade and markets. Previously, they worked in firms as primary labor sources and had influential positions in the traditional systems of administration.

How Religion Guided Nigeria’s Women Social Interaction

Studies have shown that religious teaching help guide Nigerian women and their social interaction. The establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate in the Northern part under the great-Fulani, Uthman ibn Fodio significantly contributed to further development in women's role. Islam became a major force in the processes of the communal and societal formation within the area in Yoruba tribe from the Southern regions of the country. They primarily dominated the south-western part. Notably, the women had gained Western-style education in the latter century before 20th. In this case, therefore, they were able to occupy the positions that required professional skills and to a given extent positions in politics. Currently, studies have shown that women have been able to occupy positions such as becoming the head of their households especially those from the south. They have gone against the religious teachings and laws to also form an integral part of the nation's current development plans. For example, the Igbo, who occupy the South-Western parts, were numerous in the South, but have managed to rise everywhere and are currently known for their deep engagements in western culture as well as the western educational systems (Agbasiere 45).

Contributions of Women in Nigeria's Politics

Over the years, women have been reduced to the background issues of the overall development especially in developing nations such as Nigeria (Bello 1). Ideally, this is contributed by the sentimental attachment on the feminine gender. The historical evidence shows that the Nigerian women have for a long formed an integral component of the political life of the country. It has contributed significantly to considerable reshaping the political systems of Nigeria. It, therefore, becomes evident that for the development of any kind to become successful, the vantage positions should be given to the women because they constitute a considerable proportion of the country's population. Historians recognize the contributions of various Nigerian women who played a crucial part in reckoning the politics of both the western and eastern regions (Okoyeuzu et al. 34). These include Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Mrs. Janet Mokelu and Ms. Young who were all members of the Eastern House of Assembly (Bello 1). The late Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti further demonstrated a powerful force to dominate western politics.

Recent studies have also shown that women in Nigeria participate more actively in political issues than ever before (Okpalaobi 13). This evolution and development have been because of the re-awakening and awareness that has dominated the mind of Nigeria's women. In most cases, they encounter challenges such as discrimination. Majority of the men who embedded on the chauvinistic disposition have been lately preoccupied with the idea that decision-making is strictly for men, while women should be instructed on how to do it. It is undeniable that this idea of seeing women play the number two role at homes has also been observed in the current political dispensation.

Despite the presence of tremendous challenges that women face in politics, the Nigerian women continue with their political ambitions, through contributing enormously to the political and national development in their mechanisms (Gonyok 51). The past challenges that used to militate against them are presently absent, and therefore the majority are out to take advantage of such positions. Although not available, many believe that Nigeria is yet to have a female head of state. Over the past few decades, historians agree that women have recorded several measures aimed at appreciating the political achievements away from the political fields of endeavors (Omodia et al. 15). They have therefore been able to meet their political objectives through limited support and resources available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research has established that the role of women in Nigeria has continually changed and evolved. Despite the challenges facing them, women in Nigeria have continued to play crucial roles in both the social, political and economic activities. The nation's formal education system has enabled them to occupy the positions that required professional skills. Currently, they have essential economic positions in the interregional trade and markets. Even in the household phase, women have been able to head their families. This kind of evolution has enabled them to gain both the social an economic power to challenge many aspects of patriarchy and gradually organizing to ensure that the political arena expands tremendously to give them enough space.

Work Cited

Agbasiere, Joseph Therese. Women in Igbo Life and Thought. Routledge, 2015

Bello, Ghazali. "Condition of Women in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges". Arts Social Science Journal. (2017)

Ejukonemu, Joyce a. M. "Gender Role in Contemporary Nigerian Society." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 3, no. 3, Mar. 2018, pp. 1087-1098, Web...