1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This thesis explores the increasing incidence of conjugal violence in Nigeria, and how the construction of masculinity is one of the challenging dynamics concerning this issue.» (p. iii)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«My hypothesis suggests a relationship between the cultural construction of masculinity and conjugal violence. I propose that men who batter their wives have their own cultural construction of masculinity that supports and justifies the use of violence within their intimate relationships. […] Is there an existing relationship between the cultural construction of masculinity and conjugal violence? How do men seek to explain their acts of violence? How does culture shape notions of masculinity?» (p. 1-2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«The date derives from two group interviews with [16] male participants who engage in conjugal violence, and were held in Lagos [6 participants] and Abuja [10 participants] in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.» (p. iii)

Instruments :
Guide d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

«The men’s narratives provide a clear representation of their experiences and worldview concerning how they construct their masculine identity and conjugal violence. […] These men’s construction and negotiation of their male identity is fundamental to how they conduct their daily lives and the narratives demonstrate the complex dynamics of the relationship between conjugal violence and the construction of masculinity. […] The shift in gender relations and the economic recession has encouraged these men to maintain traditional ideals and values in order to negotiate their mal identity in their everyday lives. The men’s competence with respect to sustaining a successful masculinity is vulnerable as a result of economic concerns, a shift in gender role and women’s inability to conform to the ideals of a good wife. These factors form the basis for these men committing acts of violence against their wives thus highlighting the relational structure of conjugal violence and their public performance of masculinity. […] Conjugal violence manifests itself when women are perceived to have failed in their duties, such as child care or food preparation and challenging their husband’s authority as head of the household. The narratives illustrate the men’s sense of inadequacy, that they use violence in their intimate relationships so as to maintain their public image of masculinity and be regarded ‘a man’ in society. […] As men fall short in their efforts to provide for the family they use violence as a strategy in order to renegotiate their masculinity.» (p. 150-152)