dc.description.abstract |
Globally, Female Bread-winning (FBW), a phenomenon where the female contributes above
fifty per cent of the household’s expenditures, is increasing. In Nigeria, this trend has
occasioned a shift in traditional patriarchal norms. Previous studies on FBW largely focused
on professional career women. However, there is paucity of evidence-based study on FBW
among market women in Ibadan where there is a high incidence of FBW. This study was
therefore designed to investigate the patterns and specific roles of female breadwinners,
female breadwinners’ commitment to marital obligations, relationship with children and
other kin; and coping strategies adopted among market women in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Role Strain Theory guided the study, while the cross-sectional survey design was employed
and mixed methods used. Stratified purposive sampling method was used to select three
markets (Agbeni, Bodija and Gbagi) where there is a high concentration of female traders.
On the second strata, three merchandise sections (fabrics, groceries and raw foodstuff) were
selected. A sample of 903 respondents was drawn using Yamane’s (1967) formula, while
the snowball technique was used for selecting interviewees and participants in FGD.
Proportionate to size sampling method was used to administer a structured questionnaire to
traders in Agbeni (289), Bodija (322) and Gbagi (292) markets. In-depth interviews were
conducted with female breadwinners in each market and with selected spouses of female
breadwinners. Six focus group discussions, two in each market, were held among female
breadwinners. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Logistic
regression at P≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content analysed.
The majority (76.5%) of the respondents (aged 42.55±8.91 years) were married, and 49.1%
had secondary education. FBW was high (52.0%). It was significantly associated with those
with unemployed husbands (AOR=80.75) in general, and specifically with those who sold
raw foodstuff: vegetables/pepper (OR =3.85), rice, beans and garri (OR=3.27). Female
breadwinners played specific roles, particularly expenditures on transport fare (76.9%),
children’s clothing (74.7%), feeding (56.4%), medical bills (46.5%) and children’s school
fees (35.6%). Female breadwinners with unemployed husbands (OR=0.16) were less likely
to be committed to marital obligations than those who lived apart from husbands (OR=0.26)
and those with more than five children (OR=0.50). Cordial relationship with other kin is
significantly associated with sellers in Agbeni market (OR=4.42), those who lived apart from
husbands (OR=0.42) and those with unemployed husbands (OR=0.23). Thirty-seven percent
had cordial relationship with other kin: and this had significant association with sellers in
Agbeni market (OR=2.20), those who earned between N40001 and N60000 (OR=1.70)
monthly and women living apart from husbands (OR=0.47). Indicated coping mechanisms
include: trusting in God (79.7%), seeking counsel from relatives/friends (6.3%), keeping
calm (5.0%) and using music therapy (2.9%). Husband’s infidelity, inability to provide for
the family, gambling and drunkenness are some of the problems contributing to FBW.
Socio-demographic variables, roles and commitments to marital obligations affected Female
Breadwinning and family relations of market women in Ibadan. Social support mechanisms
should be targeted at helping female breadwinners to minimise spousal conflicts arising from
performing Breadwinning roles. |
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