Expressions of Masculinity and Femininity in Husbands’ Care of Wives with Cancer in Accra

Abstract

This article explores the care that husbands in Accra, Ghana, provide for wives who have been diagnosed with cancer. Making use of an inductive, qualitative approach, the study analyzes observations of and in-depth ethnographic interviews conducted with five married female cancer patients and their husbands over a ten-month period. The results suggest a strong association among husbands' care, wives' responses to husbands' care, and cultural ideals of femininity and masculinity. The findings suggest that husbands' selective and often limited gender-based investments in unpaid care work make their sick wives exceedingly vulnerable in a context in which care for the terminally ill takes place predominately in familial settings.Résumé: Cet article explore les soins fournis par les maris aux femmes qui ont été diagnostiquées avec le cancer, à Accra, au Ghana. A l'aide d'une approche inductive, qualitative, l'étude analyse les observations extraites d'entretiens ethnographiques approfondis menés auprès de cinq femmes mariées, atteintes de cancer, et leurs maris, durant une période de dix mois. Les résultats suggèrent une forte association entre le soin des maris, les réponses des femmes aux soins des maris, et les idéaux culturels de féminité et de masculinité. Les résultats suggèrent que les investissements des maris dans la réalisation de soin non rémunérés qui sont fondés sur le genre et sont sélectifs et souvent limités, rendent les épouses malades très vulnéra-bles puisqu'elles se trouvent dans un contexte dans lequel les soins pour les malades en phase terminale a lieu principalement dans les milieux familiaux.

Making Fathers: Masculinities and Social Change in the Ghanaian Context

“…Additionally, most spouses of fathers who participated in this study from Sakora and Accra were engaged in economic activities outside the home. The women's working situation is therefore likely to play a role in men's acceptance of male performance of caregiving and housework, as many studies have shown (Atobrah and Adomako Ampofo 2016;Boni 2002;Clark 1999;Ganle 2016;Kwansa 2012). Men's acceptance of caregiving and performance of africatODAy 67(1) housework is indicative of involved fatherhood as described by G. R. Farstad and K. Stefansen (2015;see also Magaraggia 2012;McGill 2014).…”

Exploring positive experiences of primary and secondary caregivers of older persons in resource-limited urban settings in Accra, Ghana

“…In addition, women often provide personal care (such as bathing, cooking, laundry, and dressing). In contract, men provide financial care (such as giving money for food and paying medical and other types of bills) [9,11].…”

Psychosocial experiences of caring by family caregivers of patients living with prostate cancer in a teaching hospital: A descriptive phenomenological study

“…Women and children did all the instrumental care of cleaning, meal preparation, and all care activities in the personal domain. Conversely, men provided necessary material provisions for maintenance (Atobrah & Ampofo, 2016).…”

“…She must be subservient, patient, and compassionate. Alternatively, hegemonic masculinity is associated with success in the economic and social spheres, characterised by the ability to provide resources, protection, defence and safety for the family, particularly female members (Atobrah, 2019; Atobrah & Ampofo, 2016). This suggests a significant imbalance in sexual life between men and women.…”