An Empirical Investigation into how Nigerian Skit Makers Portray Cross Dressing on Facebook and Its Impact on Public Perception

Abstract

The study focused on public perception of the depiction of cross dressing among Nigeria skit makers on Facebook. The study was guided by four research objectives. Based on the nature of the study, survey research method was adopted as the research design and Marshal McLuhan’s Technological Determinism Theory was the theoretical framework for the study. The instrument for data collection was an online Google form questionnaire that was distributed to Facebook users online who were randomly selected from three comedy skit making group on Facebook. Taro Yamane’s formula was used for sample size selection of 400 Respondents from a population of 46,061,400 Facebook users in Nigeria. However, 385 responses were received; representing 96.3% out of whom 36.9% were males and 63.1% were females. Findings from the study showed that the public perceive cross dressing by Nigeria skit makers on Facebook as hilarious; also, social recognition was found to be the major factor that motivates cross dressing skits on Facebook and the viewership of cross dressed skits on Facebook does not influence the viewers’ offline sense of dressing and behaviour. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers recommended the need for public enlightenment about cross dressing skits on Facebook and other social media platforms, so that the public becomes aware that such skits are basically for entertainment and for social recognition by the skit makers. Also, skit makers should include in their contents/skits issues challenging our society and how the society can be free of these vices, even while being entertained.