Domestic Violence Among Career Couples and Its Implication on the Educational Pursuits of Students in Ojo Local Government, Area, Lagos
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to investigate domestic Violence Among Career Couples and Its Implication on the Educational Pursuits of Students in Ojo Local Government, Area, Lagos. The specific objectives are;
- To find out possible causes of domestic violence experienced by career couples
- To investigate the effects of domestic violence on school pupils within career couples
- To find out what can be done to reduce domestic violence among career couple
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is widespread and long standing and it occurs in almost all socio-economic groups. According to UNICEF (2014), domestic violence is typically experienced by children in secret and more often goes unreported. Every year 7 to 14 million children witness intimate partner assault against the other partner (Edleson, 2009). In USA study of over 5,000 US families, it was probably found that 70% of male batters who assaulted their spouses often abused their own children (Wolfe & Jaffe, 2015). Women victims of domestic violence were likely to abuse their children too. This indicates that children are victims of domestic violence.Studies conducted by UNICEF (2014) revealed that 3.4 million children between the ages of 3-17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence each year in Kenya. Over 4,000 domestic violence cases have been reported to FIDA between January and June 2016. According to the Access to Justice Report, conducted by UN Women in 2015, 72.6 percent of survivors of domestic violence were unwilling to pursue justice; while only five percent of the domestic violence survivors in 2014 were willing to go to court owing to insensitivity of the law enforcers (UN, 2015). Findings from 2010 Kenya Violence Against Children Survey (KVACS) from the household-level shows that more than 3,000 young people indicated that violence against children at their homes was a serious issue in Kenya. KVACS (2010) report indicated that 32% of women and 18% of men experienced sexual violence during childhood. Sixty six percent of women and 73% of men experienced physical violence while 6% of women and 32% of men experienced any form of violence when they were young. Thirteen percent of the women and 9% of the men experienced physical, sexual violence and psychological violence during their childhood. The worrying trend was that the abusers are not only strangers but often have close ties. The child was often beaten, slapped or hit by a parent (KVACS, 2010). The report called for increased efforts through research, to protect children against violence at school, at the community and in their homes. According to a study carried out by Gichuba (2017), on “Forms of Violence Against Children in Public Pre-Schools in Nairobi City County” reported thatchildren are vulnerable and are at risk to different forms of violence at any time inside the environment in which they live either at home or school. Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Kenya in 2014 revealed that 38% of female participants between the ages 15-49 have underwent domestic violence from their husbands. Forty five per cent of these female participants between 15- 49 years have suffered physical violence; whereas 20% have been physically abused in the past one year. Seven per cent of married male testified suffering physical violence from their wife or partner, other 4% of the married men reported undergoing sexual violence (KDHS, 2014). This is a strong indicator that domestic violence has roots in Kenyan families. In addition, children from domestic violent homes are at high risk to becoming direct victims of child abuse (Welch & Scott, 2016). Study by Chebogut and Ngeno (2010), argued that young boys who watch their fathers’ abusing their mothers are expected to impose severe violence to their partners when they become grown-ups. Moreover, girls who witness their mother’s mistreatment may learn to endure abuse when they become grown-ups as compared to girls who did not witness the abuse. Therefore, there is need for research to counter the undesirable effects which may be lessened if young children benefits from early intervention against domestic violence programs and the Law in Kenya. Violence against children and gender-based violence are persistent and stern issues in Kenya. Report by UNICEF (2014), in Kenya, indicated high level of 16 domestic violence and that many children are vulnerable to its negative consequence. The representative of UNICEF in Kenya further emphasized: “We need to get people talking, to break the silence around violence and make sure that everyone knows where to go to get help.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This study was a survey carried out to examine Domestic Violence Among Career Couples and Its Implication on the Educational Pursuits of Students in Ojo Local Government, Area, Lagos.
Research Design
Research design is a term used to describe a number of decisions which need to be taken regarding the collection of data before the data are collected (Nwana, 1981).
The research design adopted in this study was causal comparative research design that is aimed at investigating Domestic Violence Among Career Couples and Its Implication on the Educational Pursuits of Students in Ojo Local Government, Area, Lagos. The choice of this design was based on the fact that domestic violence which independent variable has already accrued and performance of school children on the other hand is the dependent variable. Thus, this study was done in retrospect to determine the influence of independent variable on the dependent, of which it would have been impossible if the independent variable (domestic violence) had not exacted its pressure on the dependent variables (performance of school children).
Population of the Study
Population of the study is the particular trait or event, people or subject that is being studied (Okoli, 2004).The population of this study is made up of the two secondary schools in Ojo, (i.e. st Anthony comprehensive secondary school (A) and Government Secondary School (B). The size of the area of study is 120.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This chapter is concern with presentation, analyses and interpretation of the result of data collected from the questionnaire administered to the area of study.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter is concerned with summary of the findings, appropriate conclusion and recommendation to the identified problems from the findings.
Summary
From the forgoing discussion and analysis it is clear that Domestic violence interferes with children ability to function in school and thus, leads to a decline in their academic performance. Also majority of children who witness domestic violence carry over this exposure to their school life and exhibit a range of disruptive behavioural problems ranging from increase in aggression, social anxieties, and difficulties concentrating, among others.
Moreover, beside decline in school performance the children usually complain of a number of discomforts such as headaches, diarrhoea, etc. which is capable of interfering with their academic performance. Children’s attention span is distorted by the need to rescue victims of Domestic Violence and at the same time keeping the Domestic Violence a family secret. Children from violent homes are sometimes stigmatized by their peers. Observing Domestic Violence on their own parents’ causes’ trauma that may become severe enough to get to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).This is a situation where a counselling psychologist may be required to save the learner especially on academic problems and poor functioning as stated by Terr, (1991).
Conclusion
The following conclusions were drawn from the forgoing discussion:
- The school child becomes psychologically traumatized when he/she experiences violence.
- The child’s academic work dwindles when he/she experiences violence
- The child becomes aggressive when he/she experiences domestic violence.
- The child feels to avenge violence.
Recommendations
The following recommendations or suggestions are made to reduce the impact of Domestic Violence on the performance of School children:
- The cognitive capacity of a learner`s mind (i.e. the process of assimilation, accommodation and equilibration) is functional when home is peaceful. Therefore, parents should try and iron out differences amicably without causing direct or indirect harm to the helpless minor/child/learner.
- Both parents and educators should watch out for signs and symptoms of abuse emanating from Domestic Violence. Early intervention by school counsellors and/or psychologists, in the form of guidance and counselling, is a necessity to help learners cope with effects of Domestic Violence.
- The teacher and the school counsellor as well as parents should provide a caring, compassionate, supportive environment for the school child and to rebuild trust that has probably been destroyed by the abuser.
- Teachers should allow learners to express their feelings in the best way possible, for example, through writing, painting, and toy usage.
- Members of the community should inform the Police about Domestic Violence cases as a means of safeguarding children in dysfunctional homes. Perpetrators of emotional abuse should be reprimanded or should be put to book early before they cause more harm.
- Teachers, school counsellors and parents should know their limitations and Obligations in handling issues of abuse. They are required legally to reportsuspected and eye witnessed abuse and victimization to the law enforcers.
- Counsellors’ more especially are required to handle abuse cases with care.
- The Ministry of Education and Sports should provide every school with at least counsellors or para-counsellors to encourage children discuss their personal problems in confidence.
- Government should create awareness on the harmful effects of domestic violence especially on the children academic performance.
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