Audience Perception of Television Portrayal of Domestic Violence against Men in Nigeria

ABSTRACT : This study examined audience perception of television portrayal of domestic violence against men in Nigeria. Using triangulation, survey and qualitative content analysis were adopted for the study. Through multi-stage sampling technique, 200 copies of questionnaire were administered on the respondents from four selected local government areas of Abeokuta Metropolis in Ogun State, Nigeria which had a population of 793,681 people. Theyselected local government areas included Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode. The qualitative content analysis was adopted to analyze the sampled Nollywood film titled “Mr&MrsAbbah”. Findings from the study revealed that the respondents were highly exposed to domestic violence content on television and that, this high level of exposure by female respondents to domestic violence content on television is contributing to the gradual shift in domestic violence,from men violating their wives to women violating their husbands. The findings also revealed that the television portrayal of domestic violence against men on Nigerian television is inadequate. The study recommends that audience who get exposed to domestic violence content on television shoulduse such to improve their marital relationships rather than inflaming it, thereby leading to increased domestic violence perpetration in the society.
KEY WORDS: Domestic Violence, Television Portrayal, Audience Perception, Victims, Men, Women, Abeokuta
Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria.