Effect of Marital Problems on the Education of Children in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major aim of the study is to examine the effect of marital problems on the education of children in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study are;
- To examine the need for an effective education for the Nigerian child.
- To assess the level of marital problems in Nigerian homes and how it affects children educational development.
- To examine the effect of marital problems on the academic performance or achievement of children in Nigeria.
- To recommend ways of improving the educational development of children from problematic homes.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Meaning of Marital Instability
Marital instability is a disagreement through which couples involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concern and it is also seen as a struggle between couples with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs, values or goals (Katzenback and Smith, 1992). Instability arises as an attempt to match the behavior and expectations of one with the behavior and expectations of the other. This is seen as a threat to the family system because it entails disharmony when husband and wife on a certain goal to pursue, it usually results to instability and confusion between them unless they come to an agreement on the goal (Olaitan and Akpan, 2003). Marital instability is also seen as a regular occurrence in the homes of married people. When two people come together, each partner comes with his/her individualized personal character, needs, attitudes, values and idiosyncrasies (Uwe, 2006). Therefore, marital instability in this study can be seen as a strain in marriage interaction between couples who are living together. Marital instability has become a thing of concern in this contemporary society and this is associated with separation, divorce, and widowhood. Separation and divorce are social phenomena created by husband, wife or both, but widowhood is beyond the control of human being, it is related to death and thus universal (Anima, 2008). Separation may be in two categories: physical separation i.e. when the husband and the wife reside separately without resolving their marital tie; mental separation i.e. when the couple decides to live together in the same household but without having biological and psychological relations. It is imperative to note that when marriage is dissolved in the court of law, it is called divorce, but when it is dissolved by death is called widowhood (Borgotta and Edgor, 2000).
Theoretical Literature Review
Attachment Theory by Ainsworth and Bowlby (1991)
This study adopted attachment theory which is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth & Bowlby, 1991). The theory emphasizes the importance of affective relations between parents and children as a source of security and support for the child. Attachment is conceptualized as the bond that develops between the child and his/her primary care-givers (Bowlby, 1969). These emotional bonds have been described in terms of the child perceiving the parent as a secure base from which to explore and understand their wider social world (Ainsworth, 1978). Perceiving the parent as a secure base means that the child has confidence in the parent‟s availability and responsiveness. As such, attachment quality informs the child‟s sense of autonomy and mastery. It also serves as a foundation for more generalized expectations about other relationships and interactions.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine effect of marital problems on the education of children in Nigeria. Selected primary schools in Jos north LGA of plateau state form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effect of marital problems on the education of children in Nigeria. 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 marital problems on the education of children in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on effect of marital problems on the education of children in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included; To examine the need for an effective education for the Nigerian child, to assess the level of marital problems in Nigerian homes and how it affects children educational development, to examine the effect of marital problems on the academic performance or achievement of children in Nigeria and to recommend ways of improving the educational development of children from problematic homes. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from staffs of selected primary schools in Jos north LGA of plateau state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that while infidelity was the major cause of marital conflict as perceived by teachers, the deprivation of instructional materials was ranked highest as the major issue affecting the educational and social development of the child at primary school, as a result of marital conflict. Love followed by encouragement were perceived to be the major ways as suggested by the teachers in improving the educational and social development of the primary school pupils resulting from conflict ridden homes.
Recommendation
It is recommended that schools should have counseling and guidance services whereby pupils from marital conflict homes and other family related problems will be assisted with advice. School management should establish guidance and counseling unit, with professional personnel who will be there to assist pupils and parents with family conflict problems. Personal social, group counseling and individual counseling in schools is highly recommended where pupils with challenged homes can be counseled to develop positive self-concept
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