Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables

Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables

Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo^*

Published in International Journal of Psychological Science (Volume 4, Issue 1)

Received: 30 January 2024 Accepted: 12 February 2024 Published: 27 February 2024

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Many African societies apply patriarchy, an oppressive, authoritarian and discriminatory social system in which power rests with men, for regulating gender relations. However, with the socio-structural evolution of these societies, new ideological currents gradually change the mores of the citizens, among which feminism. This ideology aims for more equitable relations between the sexes, which implicitly means questioning the model of patriarchal societies and contesting male domination; hence its potential danger and the defense strategies that men could adopt to mitigate or even annihilate its impact. This research is interested not only in these strategies, but also in the factors which are their catalysts; a question which, to the best of our knowledge, is little explored in the African patriarchal context specifically. In this vein, the hypotheses it tests propose that, in the African patriarchal context, men’s sociodemographic characteristics, their feeling that male hegemony is threatened and their adherence to the patriarchal system interact with representations of feminism to explain the defensive strategies they develop to preserve their hegemony consecrated by patriarchy. To test these hypotheses, a survey was conducted among 554 male participants residing in the towns of Maroua and Dschang (Cameroon). Their ages range from 19 to 67 years (M= 24.61; SD= 7.10). They were administered various measurement scales relating to representations of feminism (α=.75), feeling of threat to male hegemony (α=.70), defense strategies (α=.76) and support to patriarchy (α=.76). The data collected provides empirical support for the hypotheses of the study.

Published in	International Journal of Psychological Science (Volume 4, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
Page(s)	9-20
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Representation of Feminism, Patriarchy, Male Hegemony, Perception of Threat

References

[1]	Adisa, T., Abdulraheem, I., & Isiaka, S. B. (2019). Patriarchal Hegemony: Investigating the impact of Patriarchy on Women’s Work-Life Balance. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 34(1), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-07-2018-0095
[2]	Bruey, V. F. (Ed.). (2021). Patriarchy and gender in Africa. Lexington Books.
[3]	Brugère, F. (2020). La persistance du patriarcat [The persistence of patriarchy]. Association Multitudes, 2(79), 193-198. https://doi.org/10.3917/mult.079.0193
[4]	Brunet, M.-H. (2016). Le féminisme dans les manuels d’histoire nationale: Enquête auprès d’élèves québécois de quatrième secondaire [Feminism in national history textbooks: Survey of Quebec fourth secondary students] [Doctoral dissertation, Université de Montréal]. Retrieved from: https://papyrus.bib.umontreal.ca/xmlui/handle/18866/18369
[5]	Burrell, S. R., & Flood, M. (2019). Which feminism? Dilemmas in profeminist men’s praxis to end violence against women. Global Social Welfare, 6(21), 1-14.
[6]	Casey, E. A., Carlson, J., Fraguela-Rios, C., Kimball, E., Neugut, T. B., Tolman, R. M., & Edleson, J. L. (2013). Context, challenges, and tensions in global efforts to engage men in the prevention of violence against women: An ecological analysis. Men and Masculinities, 16(2), 228-251. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X12472336
[7]	Chahuneau, L. (2023). Mankind Project: «le masculinisme perçoit l’égalité entre les sexes comme une menace» [Mankind Project: “masculinism perceives gender equality as a threat”]. Retrieved from: https//www.lepoint.fr.Société
[8]	Champagne, C., Pailhé, A. & Solaz, A. (2015). Le temps domestique et parental des hommes et des femmes: Quels facteurs d’évolutions en 25 ans? [Domestic and parental time of men and women: What factors have changed in 25 years?] Economie et Statistiques, 478-480, 209-242.
[9]	Devreux, A.-M. (2004). Les résistances des hommes au changement social: Émergence d’une problématique [Men’s resistance to social change: Emergence of a problem]. Cahiers du Genre, 36(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.3917/cdge.036.0005
[10]	Dragiewicz, M. (2018). Antifeminism and backlash: A critical criminological imperative. In W. S. Dekeseredy & M. Dragiewicz (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of critical Criminology (334-347). Routledge.
[11]	Dupuis-Déri, F. (2009). Le “masculinisme”: une histoire politique du mot (en anglais et en français) [“Masculinism”: a political history of the word (in English and French)]. Recherches féministes, 22/2, 97-123. https://doi.org/10.7202/039213ar
[12]	Dupuis-Déri, F. (2019). La crise de la masculinité. Autopsie d’un mythe tenace [The crisis of masculinity. Autopsy of a tenacious myth]. Les Éditions du remue-ménage.
[13]	Dupuis-Deri, F. & Lamoureux, D. (2015). Les antiféministes: Analyse d’un discours réactionnaire [Antifeminisms: Analysis of a reactionary discourse]. Les Éditions du remue-ménage.
[14]	Flood, M. (2015). Men and gender equality. In M. Flood & R. Howson (eds.), Engaging Men in Building Gender Equality (pp. 1-31). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
[15]	Flood, M., Dragiewicz, M., & Pease, B. (2020). Resistance and backlash to gender equality. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.137
[16]	Flood, M. & Pease, B. (2005). Undoing men’s privilege and advancing gender equality in public sector institutions. Policy and Society, 24(4), 119-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1449-4035(05)70123-5
[17]	Garofalo, C., Weller, J. A., Kirisci, L., & Reynolds, M. D. (2021). Elaborating on the longitudinal measurement invariance and construct validity of the triarchic psychopathy scales from the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Psychological Assessment, 33(9), 890-903. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pas0001023
[18]	Gilligan, C. & Snider, N. (2018). Why Does Patriarchy Persist? Polity Press.
[19]	Godenzi, A. (1999). Style or substance: Men’s response to feminist challenge. Men and Masculinities, 1(4), 385-392. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X99001004004
[20]	Goremusandu, T. (2016). Gender possibilities in the African context as explored by Mariama Bâ’s So long a letter, Neshani Andreas’ The purple violet of Oshaantu and Sindiwe Magona’s Beauty’s gift [Masters Thesis, University of Fort Hare]. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/327278514.pdf
[21]	Hill, R. L., & Allen, K. (2021). “Smash the patriarchy’: The changing meanings and work of ‘patriarchy’online.” Feminist Theory, 22(2), 165-189. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464700120988643
[22]	Huang, Q. (2022). Anti-Feminism: four strategies for the demonization and depoliticisation of feminism on Chinese social media. Feminist Media Studies, 23(7), 3583-3598. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2022.2129412
[23]	Javeed Ahmad, R. (2017). Feminism: An Overview. International Journal of Research, 04(13). https://edupediapublications.org.journals
[24]	Langevin, L., & Bouchard, V. (2011). Les grands arrêts sur les droits des femmes: Projet et réflexions théoriques féministes [The major judgments on women’s rights: Feminist project and theoretical reflections]. Revue les Cahiers de droit, 52(3-4), 551-579.
[25]	Lim, Y. C. L. (1997). Capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy: The dilemma of third-world women workers in multinational factories. In N. Visvanathan (Ed.), The Women gender and development reader (pp. 215-230). Zed Books.
[26]	Makama, G. A. (2013). Patriarchy and gender inequality in Nigeria: The way forward. European Scientific Journal, 9(17), 115-144.
[27]	Nagle, A. (2015). An investigation into contemporary online anti-feminist movements [Doctoral thesis, Dublin City University].
[28]	Newson, M., Buhrmester, M., Xygalatas, D., & Whitehouse, H. (2021). Go WILD, Not WEIRD. Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion, 6(1-2), 80-106. https://doi.org/10.1558/jcsr.38413
[29]	Njandeu, M. (2002). La discrimination à l’égard de la femme: une atteinte à l’égalité des sexes [Discrimination against women: an attack on gender equality]. Verfassung und Recht in Übersee/Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America, 35(1), 54-80.
[30]	ONU-FEMMES. [UN-WOMEN] (2018). Traduire les promesses en actions: L’égalité de sexes dans le programme de développement durable à l’horizon 2030 [Translating promises into action: Gender equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]. Retrieved from:www.unwomen.org/fr/digital-library/publications/2018/2/gender-equality-in-the-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development-2018 #view
[31]	Probst, T. M., Estrada, A. X., & Brown, J. (2008). Harassment, violence and hate crimes in the workplace. In K. M. Thomas (Ed.), Diversity resistance in organizations (pp. 93-126). Earlbaum Associates.
[32]	Rawat, P. S. (2014). Patriarchal beliefs, women’s empowerment, and general wellbeing. Vikalpa, 39(2), 43-55.
[33]	Reardon, B. A. (1996). Sexism and the War System. Syracuse University Press.
[34]	Seiller, C. (2020). Représentation sociale du féminisme: contextes d’expression et effets de masquage [Social representation of feminism: contexts of expression and masking effects]. Retrieved from: https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas 03013915
[35]	Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1017/CBO9781139175043
[36]	Smirthwaite, G. (2009). Active work for gender equality a challenge for municipalities and county councils: A Swedish perspective. Retrieved from: https://skr.se/download/18.45167e4317e2b341b24b84ae/1642761814737/7164-469-5.pdf
[37]	Smuts, B. (1995). The evolutionary origins of patriarchy. Human Nature, 6, 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02734133
[38]	Sultana, A. (2011). Patriarchy and women’s subordination: A theoretical analysis. Arts Faculty Journal, 4(1), 1-18.
[39]	Walby, S. (1990). Theorizing patriarchy. Blackwell.
[40]	Yoon, E., Adams, K., Hogge, I., Bruner, J. P., Surya, S., & Bryant, F. B. (2015). Patriarchal Beliefs Scale (PBS) [Database record]. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t40622-000

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mouafo, A. V. D. (2024). Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. International Journal of Psychological Science, 4(1), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mouafo, A. V. D. Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. Int. J. Psychol. Sci. 2024, 4(1), 9-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mouafo AVD. Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. Int J Psychol Sci. 2024;4(1):9-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12,
  author = {Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo},
  title = {Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables},
  journal = {International Journal of Psychological Science},
  volume = {4},
  number = {1},
  pages = {9-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijps.20240401.12},
  abstract = {Many African societies apply patriarchy, an oppressive, authoritarian and discriminatory social system in which power rests with men, for regulating gender relations. However, with the socio-structural evolution of these societies, new ideological currents gradually change the mores of the citizens, among which feminism. This ideology aims for more equitable relations between the sexes, which implicitly means questioning the model of patriarchal societies and contesting male domination; hence its potential danger and the defense strategies that men could adopt to mitigate or even annihilate its impact. This research is interested not only in these strategies, but also in the factors which are their catalysts; a question which, to the best of our knowledge, is little explored in the African patriarchal context specifically. In this vein, the hypotheses it tests propose that, in the African patriarchal context, men’s sociodemographic characteristics, their feeling that male hegemony is threatened and their adherence to the patriarchal system interact with representations of feminism to explain the defensive strategies they develop to preserve their hegemony consecrated by patriarchy. To test these hypotheses, a survey was conducted among 554 male participants residing in the towns of Maroua and Dschang (Cameroon). Their ages range from 19 to 67 years (M= 24.61; SD= 7.10). They were administered various measurement scales relating to representations of feminism (α=.75), feeling of threat to male hegemony (α=.70), defense strategies (α=.76) and support to patriarchy (α=.76). The data collected provides empirical support for the hypotheses of the study.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables
AU  - Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo
Y1  - 2024/02/27
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
T2  - International Journal of Psychological Science
JF  - International Journal of Psychological Science
JO  - International Journal of Psychological Science
SP  - 9
EP  - 20
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7162
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
AB  - Many African societies apply patriarchy, an oppressive, authoritarian and discriminatory social system in which power rests with men, for regulating gender relations. However, with the socio-structural evolution of these societies, new ideological currents gradually change the mores of the citizens, among which feminism. This ideology aims for more equitable relations between the sexes, which implicitly means questioning the model of patriarchal societies and contesting male domination; hence its potential danger and the defense strategies that men could adopt to mitigate or even annihilate its impact. This research is interested not only in these strategies, but also in the factors which are their catalysts; a question which, to the best of our knowledge, is little explored in the African patriarchal context specifically. In this vein, the hypotheses it tests propose that, in the African patriarchal context, men’s sociodemographic characteristics, their feeling that male hegemony is threatened and their adherence to the patriarchal system interact with representations of feminism to explain the defensive strategies they develop to preserve their hegemony consecrated by patriarchy. To test these hypotheses, a survey was conducted among 554 male participants residing in the towns of Maroua and Dschang (Cameroon). Their ages range from 19 to 67 years (M= 24.61; SD= 7.10). They were administered various measurement scales relating to representations of feminism (α=.75), feeling of threat to male hegemony (α=.70), defense strategies (α=.76) and support to patriarchy (α=.76). The data collected provides empirical support for the hypotheses of the study.

VL  - 4
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo

Department of Philosophy and Psychology, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

Contact Email

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mouafo, A. V. D. (2024). Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. International Journal of Psychological Science, 4(1), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mouafo, A. V. D. Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. Int. J. Psychol. Sci. 2024, 4(1), 9-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mouafo AVD. Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables. Int J Psychol Sci. 2024;4(1):9-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12,
  author = {Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo},
  title = {Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables},
  journal = {International Journal of Psychological Science},
  volume = {4},
  number = {1},
  pages = {9-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijps.20240401.12},
  abstract = {Many African societies apply patriarchy, an oppressive, authoritarian and discriminatory social system in which power rests with men, for regulating gender relations. However, with the socio-structural evolution of these societies, new ideological currents gradually change the mores of the citizens, among which feminism. This ideology aims for more equitable relations between the sexes, which implicitly means questioning the model of patriarchal societies and contesting male domination; hence its potential danger and the defense strategies that men could adopt to mitigate or even annihilate its impact. This research is interested not only in these strategies, but also in the factors which are their catalysts; a question which, to the best of our knowledge, is little explored in the African patriarchal context specifically. In this vein, the hypotheses it tests propose that, in the African patriarchal context, men’s sociodemographic characteristics, their feeling that male hegemony is threatened and their adherence to the patriarchal system interact with representations of feminism to explain the defensive strategies they develop to preserve their hegemony consecrated by patriarchy. To test these hypotheses, a survey was conducted among 554 male participants residing in the towns of Maroua and Dschang (Cameroon). Their ages range from 19 to 67 years (M= 24.61; SD= 7.10). They were administered various measurement scales relating to representations of feminism (α=.75), feeling of threat to male hegemony (α=.70), defense strategies (α=.76) and support to patriarchy (α=.76). The data collected provides empirical support for the hypotheses of the study.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Representations of Feminism and Strategies for Defending Male Hegemony in a Patriarchal Context: The Moderating Effect of Sociodemographic and Attitudinal Variables
AU  - Achille Vicky Dzuetso Mouafo
Y1  - 2024/02/27
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
T2  - International Journal of Psychological Science
JF  - International Journal of Psychological Science
JO  - International Journal of Psychological Science
SP  - 9
EP  - 20
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7162
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijps.20240401.12
AB  - Many African societies apply patriarchy, an oppressive, authoritarian and discriminatory social system in which power rests with men, for regulating gender relations. However, with the socio-structural evolution of these societies, new ideological currents gradually change the mores of the citizens, among which feminism. This ideology aims for more equitable relations between the sexes, which implicitly means questioning the model of patriarchal societies and contesting male domination; hence its potential danger and the defense strategies that men could adopt to mitigate or even annihilate its impact. This research is interested not only in these strategies, but also in the factors which are their catalysts; a question which, to the best of our knowledge, is little explored in the African patriarchal context specifically. In this vein, the hypotheses it tests propose that, in the African patriarchal context, men’s sociodemographic characteristics, their feeling that male hegemony is threatened and their adherence to the patriarchal system interact with representations of feminism to explain the defensive strategies they develop to preserve their hegemony consecrated by patriarchy. To test these hypotheses, a survey was conducted among 554 male participants residing in the towns of Maroua and Dschang (Cameroon). Their ages range from 19 to 67 years (M= 24.61; SD= 7.10). They were administered various measurement scales relating to representations of feminism (α=.75), feeling of threat to male hegemony (α=.70), defense strategies (α=.76) and support to patriarchy (α=.76). The data collected provides empirical support for the hypotheses of the study.

VL  - 4
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download