Global Love in Accra: Changing Gender Roles and Identities in Intercultural Relationships

Abstract

This study focuses on intimate inter-cultural relationships between women from the Global North and Ghanaian men living in Accra. The question asked is: what are the various effects of intercultural relationships on gender roles of Ghanaian men and women from industrialized countries living in Accra? The core of the study is to document any changes in respondents’ gender perspectives and attitudes towards gender roles that may have occurred in the intercultural relationships. The specific objectives of the study are; to examine the current gender roles and identities in Ghana and the country of origin of the non-Ghanaian partner; and to document the different gender perspectives and expectations of the partners in the relationship, among the Ghanaian males as well as the foreign females. The main methods of data collection for this study are phenomenological methods. These methods will include in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The length of the relationship of the couples interviewed and observed varies from six months up to four years. The literature mainly examines intercultural relationships within the context of sex tourism. So far there is not much literature on intercultural relationships, the dynamics and any in both partners’ gender roles. The outcome of the study is that the gender perspectives and attitudes towards gender roles of both partners made changes towards each partner’s gender perspectives and attitudes.