Concept:In Buchi Emecheta’s
The Joys of Motherhood, the traditional Igbo society is structured around patriarchal values, giving priority to men and male children.
Explanation:The community regards the male child as the continuation of the family lineage and the bearer of the family name.
Nnu Ego’s suffering and life-long struggle are rooted in the pressure to bear sons who will uphold her husband’s ancestry.
Female children are often seen as temporary members of the family because they will eventually marry and leave.
This preference for sons over daughters reflects the system of male ascendency in which men hold authority and higher status.
Although childbirth or procreation is important, the society’s real emphasis is not on motherhood generally but on the birth of male heirs to sustain male dominance.
The novel repeatedly shows women being valued mainly through their ability to produce sons for their husbands.
Thus, the social hierarchy places greater worth on males, making male ascendency the central value of the society.
Answer:B. male ascendency