Factors Responsible for Child Abuse and Neglect Among Parents in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective is to examine the factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. Therefore, its specific objectives are to:
- Determine the means of child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State
- Identify the factors that are responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents Ika South L.G.A of Delta State?
- Determine the consequences of child abuse and neglect in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State
- Examine the factors that protect a child from risk of abuse or neglect in the study area
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CONCEPT OF CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse can be defined as causing or permitting any harmful or offensive contact on a Childs body; and any communication or transaction of any kind, which humiliates, shames, or frightens the child. Some child development experts go a bit further, and define child abuse as any act or omission, .which fails to nurture or in the upbringing of the children The child abuse prevention and treatment act defines .child abuse and neglect as: “at minimum, any recent act or fare to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death serious physical ‘ emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk or serious harm” In addition the oxford-advanced learner’s dictionary of contemporary English defines it as the crime of harming a child in a physical, sexual or emotional away. It should be noted that any child of any sex, race, religion and socioeconomic background could fall victim to child abuse and neglect
CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE
Several reasons have been put forward as predisposing factors to child abuse. These include poverty, high cost of living, lack of sponsorship, poor school performance, single parenthood, large family size, peer group pressure, poor home conditions, lack of parental care, unemployment, parent pressure and poor scholastic achievement (Donli, 1990, Fawole, 2003, Godfrey 1996). Under development in Nigeria, the view of Durough (1986), has made the provision of social welfare services like education, healthcare, thereby prompting parents to resort to child labour and exploitation. Amidst such situation mentioned above, some Nigerian parents and guardians exposed their children to street hawking and other child labour in order to support the family income. Federal Government of Nigeria has declared education as one of the rights of the child through the Universal Basic Education Programme (1999). Ogbe (2007) claimed that yet the Nigerian children continue to suffer abuse in one form or the other. He continued by stating that the major cause of child abuse is economical which is associated with poverty. Ebigbo (1995) stated that the hawking of wears and food on the roads, streets, motor parks, plank shades, mechanic shops, is an economic means of making ends meet either sponsored by parents, guardians, caregivers or the child personal interest.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South local government area of Delta state
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South local government area of Delta state. 200 residents in Ika South local government of Delta state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South local government area of Delta state
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South local government area of Delta state
Summary
This study was on factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South local government area of Delta state. Four objectives were raised which included: Determine the means of child abuse and neglect among parents in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, identify the factors that are responsible for child abuse and neglect among parents Ika South L.G.A of Delta State, determine the consequences of child abuse and neglect in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, examine the factors that protect a child from risk of abuse or neglect in the study area. The total population for the study is 200 residents of Ika South local government of Delta state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up civil servants, youths, married men and married women was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Child abuse and neglect is a subject matter that requires much attention and focus. Since we have come to know that it actually posses a bad image for the nation so many incidences of child abuse such as trafficking, sexual harassment (rape), under aged sex etc should be met to carry several charges in the court of law but that is not the causes today as corruption is the order of the day. It is in our hands to put an end to this situation or else Nigeria becomes an island of hood lambs and touts constitution public nuisance
Recommendation
- Voluntary organizations for the prevention and protection against child abuse should periodically organize in-house seminars, workshop and other educative programmes in villages, quarters to enlighten parents and children on the dangers of child street hawking and other forms of Child Abuse
- The fact that poor parenting skill is one of the major factors sustenance of Child Abuse and has implication fro marital counseling, so counselors should provide necessary counseling hints on effective child rearing techniques to their clients
REFERENCES
- Akinbola, B.R. (2007). Human Rights Abuses. The State of the Nigerian Child. In Yakubu, A.A. et al (Eds.). The Abused and the Society. Ibadan: Royal People (Nig.) Ltd. P. 39-52.
- Bidemi, I. & Adefuye, M. (2007). Socio-economic. Factor as Correlates of Child Labour in Lagos Metropolis. “In Yakubu, J.A. et al (Eds). The Abused and the Society. Ibadan; Royal People (Nig.) Limited.
- Donli, H.N. (1990). Socio-Legal Consequences of Child Abuse. In, Ajibola, A. S. (Ed.) Women and Children under NigerianLaw. Lagos: Federal Ministry.
- Durough, A. E. (1986). The Problem of Child Abuse and Exploitation in Nigeria. Child Labour in Africa. Kaduna: UNICEF Publication.
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- Eboh, L.O., Nwajei, S. D. & Money, F.O. (1999). Aspects of Socio- Psychological Health Issues in Nigeria. Warri: COEWA Publisher Edition 1st, 57-76.
- Ekpu, F.S. (2004) Emergence of Single Parenthood in Nigeria and its Implications to Child Rearing and Health Edu. In V.C. Igbanugo et al (Eds) Multi Disciplinary Approach to Human Kinetics and Health Education . A Book of Reading in Honour of Prof. Yomi Awosika. Pp163 Ibadan: Codat Publications.
- Fawole, J. (2003). A Study of Child Abuse and Neglect and Intervention Strategies in Nigeria. Nigeria School of Health (1& 2.).
- Federal Ministry of Health (1990). The Nigerian Child. Lagos: Federal Ministry of Health Publications.
