Impact of Early Marriage on Girl Child Education in Shomolu Local Government Area Lagos State
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To investigate the factors for early marriages among the school girl in shomolu local government area of Lagos state
- To identify any strategies set against early girl child marriage practices in shomolu local government area of Lagos state
- To establish the effects of early marriage practices on girl child education
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Early marriage
The term “early marriage” is used to refer to both formal marriages and informal unions in which a girl lives with a partner as if married before age of 18 (UNICEF 2005; Forum on Marriage and the rights of women and girls 2001). For UNFPA (2006) early marriage, also known as Child marriage, is defined as “any marriage carried out below the age of 18 years, before the girl is physically, physiologically, and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing~” Child marriage, on the other hand, involves either one or both spouses being children and may take place with or without formal registration, and under civil, religious or customary laws. It also refers to any marriage of a child younger than 18 years old, in accordance to Article 1 of the convention of the right of the chili Forced marriage is the marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both parties and is a marriage in which duress-whether physical or emotional- is a factors~ Any child marriage constitutes a forced marriage, in recognition that even if a child appears to give their consent, any one below the age of 18 is not able to make a fully informed choice whether or not to marry.
Factors for Early Marriages
Pregnancy: Several studies have found out that teenage pregnancy is a significant cause of school dropout for girls (Boyle et al., 2002). Some studies argue that there are some specific characteristics of girls with dropout status which are: Girls with poor school performance, girls who have experienced temporary dropout previously, low economic status, family migratory life styles and the consequent vulnerability of girls. Dunne Leach, (2005) argue that some unexpected circumstances of girls such as lack of social and economic opportunities and gender inequality in education system lead to motherhood and consequence dropout from schools. Dunne and Leac (2005) state that the dropout rate of girls is higher than the dropout rate of boys and the foremost cause for girls to drop out is pregnancy. Though some countries permit girls after getting pregnant to return to school, research found that the re-entry rate is not much higher. According to Grant and Hallman (2006), re-entry to school after pregnancy depends on some circumstances such as if they can get caregiver for their child and if they are able to share or relinquish childcare responsibilities.
Cultural Beliefs: Save the Children (2005) indicates that cultural norms and beliefs constrain girls’ education especially in many developing parts of the world. In these societies, traditional values and some religious beliefs constrain girls from making their own decisions and expressing their own opinions. Chege and Sifuna (2006) examined claim that many cultures favor education for boys more than girls. Kapakasa (1992) studied girls’ persistence in school and found that initiation ceremonies (religious ceremony) have significant effect on girls’ dropout rate when 9 parents have more propensity to pay for the expenses of the ceremony than their daughters! education. Abena (1991) and Atayi (2008) observe that in Africa parents were more concerned about the role for girls at home as in this role, girls do not need education since they are supposed to take care of the children and prepare meals.
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 impact of early marriage on girl child education in Shomolu local government area of Lagos state
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
Primary source: Personal interview was conducted with the staff of first bank of Nigeria plc.
Secondary source: The secondary formed the major theoretical part that was derived through critical review of library and also other related literature (material written by others researchers).
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.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain impact of early marriage on girl child education in Shomolu local government of Lagos 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 impact of early marriage on girl child education
Summary
This study was on impact of early marriage on girl child education in Shomolu local government of Lagos state. Three objectives were raised which included: To investigate the factors for early marriages among the school girl in shomolu local government area of Lagos state, to identify any strategies set against early girl child marriage practices in shomolu local government area of Lagos state and to establish the effects of early marriage practices on girl child education. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 residents of Oshomolo local government area of Lagos 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 married men, married women, civil servants and students were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
This study concludes that the practice of early marriages is a real problem in Lagos state. Parents have been found to play a key role in the practice. This is due to the fact that most parents lack understanding of the importance of formal education for their children. Among other effects, early marriage practices to younger girls have led to their denial of educational rights. There is a high need for raising awareness to community members on the importance of education to girls so as to discourage early marriage prevalence. In view of the above, it is important that different stakeholders should work together in making sure that this practice is ended.
Recommendation
The law-enforcers in the study area, and the nation at large, should work on the by laws that prohibit early marriages.
Government should make education free and compulsory at the Primary and secondary levels as a way of discouraging early marriage.
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