REPRESENTATIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SELECTED YORUBA NOLLYWOOD FILMS: A CRITICAL CONTENT ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study scrutinizes the portrayal of domestic violence in four selected Yoruba language films, contextualized within their alarming prevalence in Nigerian society. This unsettling reality intersects with other forms of human rights abuses that manifest in political, social, cultural and gender inequalities associated with unwholesome power relations that subordinate vulnerable spouses in spousal relationships and children. Employing a qualitative content analysis methodology, the research examines the thematic representation of these issues, their impact on victims and society, and the potential solutions the films suggested. Grounded in the sociology of literature theory, which frames films as reflections of societal realities, and the psychological attachment theory, the analysis concludes that the scholarly the study of domestic violence genre is both a symptom and a cause of the difficulties in combating these social problems. The findings reveal that while some films challenge cultural norms by condemning abuse and advocating for victims, others reinforce stereotypes or minimize the severity of domestic violence. The study highlights the dual role of Yorùbá Nollywood films as both mirrors, emphasizing the need for more nuanced and responsible portrayals to foster awareness and social change.