Nma nwoke (“Man's Beauty”)

Abstract

Abstract Since the 1980s, low male enrollment in secondary schools has been observed in Anambra State in southeast Nigeria. Previous studies largely attribute the phenomenon to a masculine drive toward the quick accumulation of material wealth. This article draws on two primary qualitative studies conducted in the state in 2012 and 2020 and on Bourdieu's notion of habitus to discuss how the local construction of masculinity and social expectations influence boys’ aspirations and preferences and contribute to their decision to drop out of high school. Participants were both males and females who dropped out of school of high school or who did not enroll in high school before entering the workforce. While economic factors are central to males’ disengagement from school, they are underpinned by demands and pressures associated with the social construction of masculinity. Material wealth is seen as a symbol of a man's beauty (nma nwoke). Policy and intervention programmes are needed to mitigate societal pressures on boys in Anambra State.