GENDER RELATION AND THE CULTURE OF INHERITANCE IN OBIO/AKPORLOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA (1920 – 2010)

Abstract

Gender does not necessarily mean women or girls; rather, it means one’s sex, meaning both boys and girls, men and women. When we are talking about inequality in gender issues, we are saying that there should be equality in relationships in all human endeavours. In Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, the ways in which male and female children are treated from birth will shape the idea of this work. The study of gender relations and cultural inheritance in Obio/Akpor is to question their cultural definitions of male and female temperament and behavior and to examine the gender inequalities that exist in the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, to assess the gender relations in the development of Obio/Akpor communities from 1920-2010. This study adopted qualitative methods and obtained data basically from secondary sources, notably published textbooks, journals,, andother relevant  material to the study. The data obtained were descriptively analyzed. From the interaction and relationships, culturally, the issue of gender inequality in Obio/Akpor communities has been lingering; the boys are more regarded than the girls in all aspects of life. It is the researcher’s hope to probe into these problems and come up with a solution that will address the problem of gender inequality in Obio/Akpor that has adversely affected community development. Some of the steps to be taken include combating the male-child syndrome in Obio/Akpor communities, inheritance discrimination against the female child. The study will also examine the effect of traditional marriage on gender relations and culture priorities and values in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State of Nigeria (1920 – 2010).