MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF CROSS DRESSERS IN NIGERIA: POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE INFLUENCE ON THE SOCIETY?
Abstract
Cross-dressing is more common than ever before. Even in Nigerian society, there are cross-dressers. Cross-dressers come in various forms, each with a unique motivation for engaging in these behaviours. The media influence public opinion about problems, events, happenings, or people, since cross-dressers were previously not widely accepted in society due to cultural norms and values, but now that they are well-publicised as a result of media attention. Therefore, it is necessary to examine out the various media platforms that promote cross-dressers in Nigeria and investigate if the prominence given to cross-dressers by the media in Nigeria influences how people view cross-dressers. Status Conferral Theory and Agenda Setting Theory formed as basis for this study. Findings showed thatmedia portrayal often reinforces negative stereotypes and leads to increased stigma and discrimination against transgender individuals. Findings also showed that contribute to negative stereotypes and increased discrimination and stigmatisation. This can lead to negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation, as well as other negative consequences such as employment discrimination and violence. Hence, this study concluded that the media portrayal of cross-dressers in Nigeria can significantly impact their lives and well-being, while media portrayal can increase visibility and promote social acceptance.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Adesokan, A., &Babajide, A. (2019). Portrayal of cross-dressers in selected Nollywood movies and its impact on social acceptance. Journal of Gender Studies, 28(2), 141-151.
Adeyinka, A. A., Adegboyega, J. A., &Adedokun, B. O. (2018). Cross-dressing among men in Nigeria: The need for increased awareness and education. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64(3), 265-272.
Aderemi, A. (2018, June 29). Bobrisky: The Nigerian transgender changing social media. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/bobrisky the-nigerian-transgender-changing-social-media
Akande, A. (2019). Media representation of Bobrisky and the perception of cross-dressing behaviour in Nigeria. Gender & Behaviour, 17(1), 12756-12763.
Anwumabelem, A. C. &Asemah, E. S. (2021). Portrayal of COVID-19 in pandemic in select Nigerian mainstream media. In E. S. Asemah (Ed.). Communication, Pandemic and Civil Unrest in Nigeria (pp. 105-123). Enugu: Franklead Press.
Anaeto, S., Onabajo, O. &Osifeso, J. (2008). Models and theories of mass communication. Bowie, Maryland: African Renaissance Book Incorporated.
Bellos, O. J., & Sanusi, B. O. (2022). Status conferral and agenda-setting romance of celebrity cross-dressers with the Nigerian media. Sapientia Foundation Journal of Education, Sciences and Gender Studies, 4(2).
Davidson, M. M., & Martino, S. C. (2015). Framing cross-dressing: A content analysis of mainstream newspaper portrayal of a gender variant phenomenon. Sex Roles, 72(11 12), 479-492.
Edegoh, L.O.N., Asemah, E.S. &Udeh-Akpe, C.E. (2013). A study of HIV/AIDS media campaigns and knowledge of high risk factors among sex workers in South-South Nigeria. Journal of Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 3 (13), 98-106.
Farooq, Q. (2020). Eroticism and mysteries of cross-dressing: Increasing trends of male to female cross-dressing in Pakistani society. European Scientific Journal ESJ, 16(8). https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2020.v16n8p90
Frisén, A., Jonsson, L., & Rubini, M. (2017). The Effects of Media Exposure on Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Cross-Dressing Behavior. Journal of Homosexuality, 64(11), 1551 -1563.
Oluwaseun, A. M., &Olubunmi, B. A. (2020). Perception of journalists on the effectiveness of media regulatory bodies in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference, The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. https://objects.scraper.bibcitation.com/user-pdfs/2023-03-15/5c04077f-241a-4d41-8d8b-fa5a499ca50a.pdf
Ogunyemi, B. (2020). “Bobrisky: An Index of Society’s Transformation or a Reflection of Moral Decay?” A Discourse Analysis of Media Representation of Bobrisky. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(1), 10-18.
Oladipo, S. E. (2019). Effects of media portrayal on the well-being of cross dressers in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(2), 11-18.
Kosinski, M., Stryker, S., &Trannel, T. (2001). “It's a boygirl!: Television news’ portrayal of transgendered persons.” Journal of Homosexuality, 42(1), 93-109.
Kosenko, K. A., Rintamaki, L. S., Raney, S., & Maness, K. (2013). Transgender media portrayals: From Jackie O. to Jenna Talackova.
Lazarsfeld, P. F and Merton, R. K (1996) “Mass Communication, Popular Taste and Organized Social Action” in Paul Marris and Sue Thornham (eds.) Media Studies: A Reader Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh pp 14-23
Lombardi, E. L., Wilchins, R. A., Priesing, D., & Malouf, D. (2001). Gender violence: Transgender experiences with violence and discrimination. Journal of Homosexuality, 42(1), 89-101.
National Council for Arts and Culture. (2019, September 19). NCAC condemns Bobrisky's influence on Nigerian youths. Retrieved from https://ncac.gov.ng/ncac-condemns bobriskys-in
Ogunyemi, B. (2020). “Bobrisky: An Index of Society’s Transformation or a Reflection of Moral Decay?” A Discourse Analysis of Media Representation of Bobrisky. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(1), 10-18.
Oladipo, S. E. (2019). Effects of media portrayal on the well-being of cross dressers in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(2), 11-18. Potter, J. L., & Winslow, B. T. (2017). The stigma of cross-dressing: A literature review. Journal of Sex Research, 54(3), 408-422.
Sood, B. (2018). Role of Media in Building the Better Society. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 8(9). https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2018/IJRSS_SEPTEMBER2018/IJMRA-14420.pdf
Singh, D., Vidaurri, M., Zambarano, R. J., & Dabbs, J. M. (1999). Lesbian and heterosexual women's reactions to other women's clothing. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28(2), 205 214.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2023 Ayomide J. Fajoye, Bernice O. Sanusi (PhD), Ismail Omipidan
ISSN PRINT: 2630 - 7081
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.