ATTITUDES OF MALE UNDERGRADUATES TOWARDS FEMINIST ADVOCACY IN DIGITAL SPACES.

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1-Department of Sociology
2-Department of Psychology
3-Department of Mass Communication
4-Department of Gender Studies

TOPIC: ATTITUDES OF MALE UNDERGRADUATES TOWARDS FEMINIST ADVOCACY IN DIGITAL SPACES.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual review 
2.2 Theoretical review 
2.3 Empirical review
2.4 Research Gaps
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY    
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sampling Technique
3.4 Sample Size
3.5  Instrument for Data Collection
3.6 Validity of the Instrument
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument
3.8 Method Of Data Collection 
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Demographic Analysis 
4.2.1 Analysis of the level of awareness of feminist advocacy among male undergraduates in digital spaces
4.3 Discussion of Finding
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Limitations of the Study
5.5 Recommendations
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
References
Appendix

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the Attitudes of Male Undergraduates Towards Feminist Advocacy in Digital Spaces using selected universities as case studies. The study was specifically conducted to examine the level of awareness of feminist advocacy among male undergraduates in digital spaces, identify their attitudes (supportive, indifferent, or resistant) towards feminist movements online, determine the factors that influence their perceptions of feminist advocacy, explore how cultural and social background shape their responses to feminist discourse, and assess the implications of their attitudes for the future of feminist advocacy in digital contexts. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 2,230 male undergraduates active in digital spaces, while a sample size of 339 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique (stratified and convenience sampling). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. The results showed that male undergraduates demonstrated a moderate level of awareness of feminist advocacy (X= 3.41, SD = 1.06) but displayed generally negative attitudes toward online feminist movements (X= 2.64, SD = 1.18). Findings also showed that socio-cultural and religious factors had a significant effect on perceptions of feminism (X= 2.73, SD = 1.10), whereas multimedia exposure had a moderate effect on conceptualizing feminist goals (X= 3.12, SD = 1.04). The study found out that despite awareness of feminist advocacy by male undergraduates, negative cultural orientations still act as barriers to acceptance and participation. The study therefore recommends that it may be helpful for university authorities and advocacy groups to intensify digital sensitization campaigns, encourage inclusive online discussions, and incorporate gender-awareness programs into the curriculum of tertiary education in order to promote equitable digital participation.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
In recent years, feminist advocacy has become very visible online, especially on social media like Twitter (now X), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (Ade-Johnson, 2023). Activists and experts in feminist matters utilize these platforms to challenge male-dominated traditions and amplify the voices of individuals who are often overlooked (Wilson, 2025). Because of this, conversations about feminism are more accessible to younger people, especially university students. Digital Feminism uses technology to support gender equality and social change (Yin, 2024). Big online campaigns like #HeforShe, #MeToo, #Women’s March, show how online activity affects how undergraduates get involved with gender issues (Saha Roy, 2023).
Feminist movements, as we know the term today, started to be a topic of concern more rapidly after World War II, giving shape to the second wave of feminism during the 1960s. Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” (1963) was the literal foundation of this wave in the United States. Having won the vote in most democracies around the world, feminists started up a discourse on the role of women in society, shaping their campaigns with a new set of tools and targets inspired by the Civil Rights Movement.
The 1990s recorded the emergence of the third wave of feminism, which was marked by a stronger female electorate and intersectional approaches. The increase of female presence across college campuses; women were paid half of all bachelor’s and master’s degrees by 1979 and this fueled the development of interdisciplinary feminist theories. This wave sparked up a lot of conversations about sexual harassment and patriarchal abuse. For example, Anita Hill, an attorney who publicly testified that she was sexually harassed by US Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. The matter sparked discussions about the unique struggles of women in men dominated industries especially Black women. This wave also saw the creation of the Guerrilla Girls, an anonymous radical feminist group that utilized art to fight sexism and racism.
Feminist advocacy and particularly African feminist advocacy have not been widely studied and documented. There is need for an exploration and interrogation of what the concept of “Feminist Advocacy” means in an African context. Many feminist and women’s rights organizations as well as mainstream organizations use the concept with different explanations of why it is indeed Feminist Advocacy that includes defining approaches or in reference to the identities of organizations. Evidence shows us that advocacy in Africa is largely seen as Northern (Banerjee & Connell, 2018), and donor driven (Wilson & Keyserling, 2016).
 Although feminist advocacy is more readily visible online, male undergraduates hold diverse views and opinions on the subject matter. Some think these movements support fairness and equality, while others feel they go against traditional ideas about gender. This difference highlights the importance of studying what male students think about feminist advocacy online. Since digital media strongly shape beliefs, this study examines how male undergraduates perceive feminist advocacy and how their time in school influences their individual views. 

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
While feminist advocacy has grown online, there is limited knowledge about what male undergraduates’ perspective of the concept is. Most research looks at women’s views, so the experiences of men are not well studied (Lefkowich, 2019). However, what men think can affect how far and in what way online feminist advocacy spreads (Estevan-Reina, 2020). This study tries to fill that gap by looking at male undergraduates’ views and studying how their perspectives have been shaped.
The term “Feminism and Feminist advocacy” has not only been tainted in world but also stripped off due to the patriarchal mindsets. Feminism is not “Misandry” and was never brought up to promote misandry, feminism focuses on promoting equality for both men and women in the society. The ability for women to get to the top without the fear of being stripped by men in the society or being told that a woman is only subjected to certain places.
Culture in Nigeria and across Africa strongly affects how male undergraduates view feminism. There is a need for us to deepen the analysis and thinking around Feminist Advocacy due to its relationship with Feminisms although it manifests and operates in an unequal advocacy ecosystem. Power dynamics within the African advocacy ecosystem depend on systems of inequality that allow for the retention and accrual of power within the system. Male-dominated traditions often make the whole concept of “Feminism” seem strange or too extreme, which in turn makes young men doubtful or unwilling to accept it. Studying these opinions is crucial for making digital feminist advocacy more inclusive and effective. This research looks at how male undergraduates view feminist advocacy online. 
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are to: 
1.Examine the level of awareness of feminist advocacy among male undergraduates in digital spaces.
2.Identify the attitude (supportive, indifferent, or resistant) of male undergraduates towards feminist online. 
3.Determine the factors that influence male undergraduates’ perceptions of feminist advocacy in digital platforms.
4.Explore how cultural and social background shape male undergraduates’ responses to feminist discourse in online spaces
5.Assess the implications of male undergraduates’ attitudes for the future of feminist advocacy in digital contexts.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance Of The Study
1.6 Scope Of The Study
1.7 Operational Definition Of Terms
1.8 References

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of attitudes, the concept of male undergraduates, feminist advocacy, digital spaces, attitudes of male undergraduates towards feminist advocacy, factors influencing attitudes towards feminist advocacy, etc. The chapter covers the following subheadings:

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises all male undergraduate students who actively engage in digital spaces, including social media platforms, online forums, and educational networks, with an estimated population of  male undergraduates.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 339 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique, combining stratified and convenience sampling methods, to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses.

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:
i. The study found that male undergraduates are generally skeptical and cautious toward feminist movements in online environments, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 2.78 to 3.67, with perceptions of feminist movements as biased against men recording the highest mean of 3.67. The findings further showed that support for feminist campaigns advocating equal rights and the perception of feminism as a necessary push for social change recorded means of 2.78 and 2.93 respectively, both below the acceptance benchmark of 3.00.

ii. The study found that cultural upbringing, religious beliefs, peer opinions, media portrayal, and personal experiences significantly influence male undergraduates’ perceptions of feminist advocacy in digital platforms, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.22 to 3.47, while educational exposure recorded a mean score of 2.98, which was below the acceptance benchmark of 3.00.

iii. The study found that cultural and social backgrounds significantly shape male undergraduates’ responses to feminist discourse in online spaces, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.14 to 3.56, with feminist messages conflicting with cultural understanding of gender roles recording the highest mean of 3.56, while the belief that cultural change is necessary before feminist advocacy can succeed recorded the lowest mean of 3.14.

iv. The study found that male undergraduates’ attitudes have significant implications for the sustainability of feminist advocacy in digital contexts, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 2.97 to 3.52, with male resistance to feminism slowing progress toward online gender equality recording the highest mean of 3.52, while greater male engagement enhancing the success of feminist campaigns recorded a mean of 2.97, which was below the acceptance benchmark of 3.00.

v. The study found that negative perceptions, limited male participation, resistance to feminism, persistent online gender bias, and current male attitudes may negatively affect the sustainability of feminist advocacy in digital spaces, as evidenced by mean scores above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00 for most of the items analyzed, indicating that male attitudes remain an important factor in the future effectiveness and sustainability of digital feminist advocacy.

CHAPTER FIVE:SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary 
5.3 Conclusion 
5.4 Limitations of the Study 
5.5 Recommendations 
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
References
Appendix

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