Journal of Gender and Power is aimed at providing an international forum for discussing various issues and processes of gender construction. It is a scholarly, interdisciplinary journal, which features articles in all fields of gender studies, drawing on various paradigms and approaches. We invite scholars to submit articles and reviews reporting on theoretical considerations and empirical research. ABOUT THE JOURNAL CURRENT ISSUE ARCHIVE INDEXED IN: AMUR (Adam Mickiewicz University Repository), Baidu Schola, BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine), CEJSH (The Central European Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities), CNKI Scholar (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CNPIEC – cnpLINKer, CEON (Aggregator of the Center for Open Science), Driver (Digital Repository Infrastructure Vision for European Research), CROSSREF, EBSCO Discovery Service, EBSCO Sociology Source Ultimate, EZB, Google Scholar, J-Gate, KESLI-NDSL (Korean National Discovery for Science Leaders), MyScienceWork, Naver Academic, Naviga (Softweco), OPENALEX, Primo Central (ExLibris), ReadCube, OpenAire, ROAD, Sciendo, ScientificCommons, Semantic Scholar, Summon (ProQuest), TDOne (TDNet), THE KEEPERS, WanFang Data WSKAŹNIKI OCENY CZASOPISMA: Punktacja Ministerstwa Edukacji i Nauki (2021): 5 DOI: 10.14746/jgp ISSN: 2391-8187 ISSN (online): 2657-9170 ARTICLES ARE LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Internationall.
Journal of Gender and Power is an Open Access Journal. Copyright of the article published in the Journal of Gender and Power is retained by the authors with first publication rights granted to the Adam Mickiewicz University Press.
Wojciech Śmieja, After Manliness. Warsaw 2024: Wydawnictwo Czarne, pp. 516
Copyright (c) 2025 Sławomir Niewczas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Abìyamọ (Constructive Mothering) and Abiyaya (Destructive Mothering): Dynamics of Gendered Parenting in a Globalised Yorùbáland and Indigenous Feminism
Using the notions of abìyamọ and abiyaya, we examined the dynamics of gendered parenting in a globalised Yorùbáland and indigenous feminism, basically as encapsulated in Yorùbá orature. More often than not, parental mannerism and ethical instruction among the Yorùba is dispassionately imbued with gender control. Yorùbá orature is replete with proverbial directives that epitomise parental nobility in constructive child training. A parent is either referred to as abìyamọ, when the child is adequately trained or abiyaya, which is a derogatory connotation of the term abìyamọ to depict the antithesis. The authors elucidate that although abìyamọ grammatically applied as a feminine term, it can be used to represent all genders and also is not limited to fecundity. Several theories and viewpoints attempt to explain the multidimensional process of motherhood and child training. In this paper, we purposefully adopted the feminist theories of motherhood and the Durkheimian socio religious analysis of religion to interrogate data. It was concluded that the ethics of abìyamọ must be upheld and sustained in order for the vast majority of social evils and vices associated with globalising influences to be ameliorated.
Copyright (c) 2025 Oladosu Olusegun Adebolu, Bateye Bolaji, Akinwumi Paul Akintunde, Ademuyiwa Adewale Lukman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
The gender gap that defines the difference between women and men in social, political, intellectual, cultural, and economic attainments and attitudes is increasing important in Gen Z and the mid twentieth century in the United States. Young people are more liberal in their attitudes than older people, however but also, Generation Z females are more liberal and highly politically engaged than their male counterparts. These changes in gender gaps are particularly important to analyze and understand the complex changes in gender relationships and power. The first section traces the change in the labor force, education and payment of women and men. The labor force is examined over changes of women and men. The annual pay changes of women and men is investigated. The changes and attitudes of women and men of Gen Z will be analyzed, particularly of generation women and men. The issues and importance of attitudes toward several issues Gen Z on abortion, the environment, crime, and discrimination are examined. Additionally, religion and politics are assessed Finally, the gender gap is evaluated in comparison how the United States rates in relation to the other industrial countries in relation to economic participation and opportunity, and educational attainment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Carol L Schmid https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
A Literary And Socio-Cultural Analysis Of Polygynous Practices Among The Yorùbá Deities
This study examines the conflicting perspectives on polygyny within Yoruba culture, focusing on two Ifá oral genres: Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì and Ọ̀sẹ́ Bàrà, one of which critiques polygyny as a source of societal discord while the other endorses it. It argues that both the advantages and disadvantages of polygyny in African society are culturally rooted in African cosmology, particularly Yoruba mythology. The study also observes that existing scholarly works on polygyny primarily focus on its contribution to marital instability and family breakdown, while neglecting its perceived benefits. This research therefore addresses an existing gap in the literature by analyzing both the socio-cultural benefits and implications of polygyny through Ifá orature, exploring its influence on contemporary marital dynamics and unintended outcomes such as polyandry. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, using primary data from in-depth interviews with purposively selected Ifá priests and priestesses in Southwestern Nigeria. The interviews were recorded to ensure accuracy. Secondary sources include books, journal articles, and credible internet resources. The data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed within a socio-cultural theoretical framework to assess the impact of polygyny on gender relations and social structures. The findings reveal that Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì's critique aligns with concerns about marital discord, whereas Ọ̀sẹ́ Bàrà's endorsement reinforces the practice of polygyny among kings and farmers. However, it also marginalizes women, fostering resentment and contributing to family breakdown. The study underscores the need to re-evaluate polygyny in order to promote more equitable relationships. By bridging traditional Ifá orature and contemporary practices, this research offers a nuanced understanding of the socio-cultural effects of polygyny, advocates for greater alignment with modern egalitarian values, and contributes to broader discussions of African cultural heritage.
Copyright (c) 2025 Taofiq Saadu, Ilufoye Fawole Ojo, Fola Ajewole https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Beyond Facial Beauty. The Aesthetics of Yoruba Culture in Tiro Eye-Liner
There are many distinctive features of Yoruba culture and tradition that distinguish the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria from other ethnic groups. Cultural practices and their aesthetic values shape the identity of African societies, often characterized by animistic beliefs. The veneration of ancestors and other presumed supernatural beings has given rise to the organization of festivals and rituals, which are reflected in various forms of physical adornment among African peoples. This paper examines the application of tiro (eye-liner) as a cultural practice that embodies multiple symbolic meanings. Despite the traditional values attached to tiro, this cosmetic practice is increasingly threatened by modern beauty products. Today, tiro has undergone a process of modernization that has weakened its connection to cultural and traditional practices associated with ancestral worship. There is limited academic research on tiro as a traditional cosmetic imbued with cultural significance. This paper identifies and examines the relationship between tiro and the worship of deities and other mystical beings in Yoruba performances. The study is based on a close examination of historical documents related to the subject. As part of a broader exploration of the belief system and cultural values of the Yoruba people, video interviews and personal presentations are also analyzed to highlight the syncretism between tiro and cultural practices. Within the cultural context, many activities and practices possess symbolic meanings that make them more metaphysical than physical. Tiro is a cosmetic used primarily to enhance facial beauty, especially among women. However, it also plays a significant role in Yoruba culture, particularly in festivals and ritual practices. It serves as a symbolic link between the living and their ancestors, as some worshippers apply it during ritual performances and sacrificial ceremonies dedicated to deities. Beyond its cosmetic function, tiro reflects the aesthetic values and spiritual dimensions of Yoruba tradition.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abayomi C. Ojo, Ajibola Deborah Boluwatife https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Queering Nollywood: Representations of Gender Non-Conformity and LGBTQ+ Identities in Ìfé (2020)
This paper explores representations of gender non-conformity and LGBTQ+ identities in the Nigerian film Ìfé (2020), directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim. It investigates how the film challenges heteronormative norms prevalent in Nollywood through its narrative, aesthetics, and production strategies. By employing Queer Theory and Postcolonial Queer Theory, the study situates Ìfé within the broader context of Nigerian sociopolitical constraints, cinematic traditions, and the politics of queer visibility. In a country where the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 criminalizes queer existence and expression, the film’s emergence is both a cultural milestone and a political act of resistance. Through close textual analysis and theoretical engagement, the essay demonstrates how Ìfé redefines cinematic language by embracing queer aesthetics-intimacy, softness, and vulnerability, subverting the harsh moralistic tone often used in Nigerian cinema to depict same-sex relationships. This study also interrogates how Ìfé resists narrative closure; offering a nuanced portrayal of lesbian intimacy without punishment or moralization, thereby queering Nollywood’s storytelling structure. The film’s digital release, due to censorship from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), signals a paradigm shift in distribution and accessibility for queer African cinema. This paper critically examines the film’s cultural reception, both locally and internationally, and its implications for future cinematic representations of LGBTQ+ identities in Nigeria. Drawing on authoritative sources, including Butler, Halberstam, Gunkel, and Ekine, it positions Ìfé as a case study in the growing body of queer African media that challenges colonial and postcolonial impositions on gender and sexuality. By highlighting how Ìfé navigates visibility, censorship, and representation, the paper underscores the transformative power of cinema as a tool for advocacy, resistance, and social change. Ultimately, this study contributes to expanding the discourse on queer African storytelling and the reimagining of Nollywood as a space for inclusive narratives.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ibe Ogbobuike Ibe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Unmet Needs of Female Inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service and Advocacy for Conjugal Visits
Globally, countries have continued to commit fiscal and policy attention to improving correctional facilities and inmates’ welfare. While Nigeria’s documented efforts through the 2019 Correctional Service Act are noteworthy, it has been observed that the physiological needs and welfare of inmates are still lacking, leading to delinquent behaviors among female inmates. The paper aims to identify the unmet needs of female inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service and assess how their rights to spousal conjugal visits can positively impact their character and self-fulfillment. The study adopted a qualitative desk research methodology using published journals, selected case studies, web-based sources, and magazines. Social bond theory and strain theory were used as the explanatory framework for analysis. The research found that many documented dissident and unlawful behaviors among female inmates are responses to unmet needs for spousal love and emotional support from their families. It concludes that, in addition to fiscal investment in security measures aimed at reducing crime and improving correctional infrastructure, greater attention should be paid to addressing inmates’ emotional and social needs. The paper recommends a review of the 2019 Nigerian Correctional Service Act to include the right of female inmates to spousal conjugal visits, the inauguration of an ad hoc committee to study implementation strategies for female inmates’ conjugal visitation rights as practiced in other countries, and infrastructural upgrades to facilitate such visits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ademolu Oluwaseun Adenuga, Richard Abayomi Aborisade, Abiodun Abdullahi Oyekanmi, Segilola Yewande Oladejo, Olubukola Mary Aratunde https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0