DOMESTIC SPACE UTILISATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AMONG STAFF OF OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, OSOGBO, NIGERIA

Abstract

Gender identities are expressions of masculine or feminine natures and interpreted within socio-cultural contexts. In this study, gender identities, domestic space utilisation and gender roles among staff of Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria were identified and analysed. With the aid of pre-tested questionnaires, primary data were collected using multi-stage sampling technique from 222 out of 675 staff members of Osun State University Osogbo. Secondary data were obtained from the Academic Planning Unit of the University and Osun State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage tables, cross tabulation, and Bem Androgyny Model were utilized for the analysis of data obtained. Findings on individual gender identities showed that 1.3% of the respondents were masculine, 36% were feminine while 62.7% of the respondents were androgynous. Majority of the males and females were androgynous however some males were feminine although no female was masculine. Remarkably, only 2.2% of the males were masculine. These findings further confirm that most individuals possess a combination of feminine and masculine traits known as androgyny, and that individuals’ gender identities do not necessarily correspond with their biological sex. Results also showed that domestic space utilisation and domestic gender roles varied with individual gender identities rather than just gender (being male or female). The study concluded that gender identities are important to the concept of gender-integrated housing design. Therefore gender-responsive housing designed to equitably meet the needs of men and women should be encouraged.

Keywords

• domestic space utilisation
• gender identity
• gender-integrated housing design
• gender equity
• nigeria