Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
OKPUKPARA IJEOMA P
(PG/MED/08/49696)
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATIONS
BY
OKPUKPARA IJEOMA P
(PG/MED/08/49696)
JANUARY, 2015
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APPROVAL PAGE
BY
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PROF (MRS.) J. O. CHUKWU INTERNAL EXAMINER
SUPERVISOR
EXTERNAL EXAMINER PROF C.J.A. ONWUKA
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
PROF UJU UMO
DEAN OF FACULTY
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CERTIFICATION
embodied in this project is original and has not been submitted in part or full for
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OKPUKPARA, IJEOMA P. PROF (MRS.) J. O. CHUKWU
STUDENT SUPERVISOR
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DEDICATION
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
divine favour, provision and protection throughout the period of this research
work.
Chukwu, who painstakingly directed and read through the entire work in a step-
by-step basis. The researcher also appreciate her supervisor for her patience,
propelled the researcher from the beginning of this study to the end. The
researcher is grateful to Prof. (Mrs.) Julie Ibiam for her positive criticism,
suggestions and encouragement. The researcher also thanks the children who
Special thanks goes to the researchers loving and caring husband Mr.
Emma Mbanefo Okpukpara for his financial support and encouragement. The
Okpukpara Ijeoma P.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables ix
Abstracts x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 9
Purpose of the Study 10
Significance of the Study 10
Scope of the Study 11
Research Questions 12
Hypotheses 12
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 13
Conceptual Framework 14
Concept of Child 14
Concept of Child abuse and neglect 14
Forms of Child abuse and neglect 15
Possible Causes of Child Abuse and neglect 21
Possible Consequences of Child abuse and neglect 23
Possible Strategies for solution of the identify problems 24
Concept of Socio-Economic Status 25
Theoretical Framework 27
The Social Learning Theory of Albert Bandura 27
Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Human Needs 28
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Appendix B 66
Appendix C 71
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LIST OF TABLES
1. Mean and Standard deviation of the extent of influence of Parents
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Abstract
The study sought to find out the influence of parental socio-economic status on
the incidence of child abuse and neglect among primary school pupils in Aguata
education zone of Anambra State. Three major attributes of socio-economic
status (parents income, parents education and parents occupation) were
considered. The study adopted Ex-post facto research design. Three research
questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Sample
consisted of 618 primary six pupils drawn from schools in Aguata education
zone through simple random sampling. The instrument used for data collection
was parental socio-economic status and incidence of child abuse and neglect
questionnaire. The overall reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to
be 0.83. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The
finding of the study revealed that parents level of income significantly
influences the incidence of child abuse and neglect. It was also revealed that
parents level of education significantly influences the incidence of child abuse
and neglect. Furthermore, it was discovered that parents occupation
significantly influences the incidence of child abuse and neglect.
The implications of the findings were discussed and appropriate suggestions
and recommendations were made.
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
nation. However, the rearing pattern of the children that are products of wedlock
other social vices that characterized our society today are traceable to bad child
patterns of many homes. Children who have passed through such homes were
rather than assets. In Nigeria today, the rate of child abuse and neglect have
and unfortunate that these same children are subject to abuse and neglect. Child
abuse and neglect is one of the most rampant societal malaise facing societies
today. The ill-treatment of children by those who are supposed to care for them
Child abuse and neglect is a prevalent problem all over the world and Nigeria is
no exception.
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Ohia, Soronnadi, Udemezue and Okonkwo, (2002) define child abuse and
neglect;
According to Jones (1982), child abuse and neglect are seen as two
while child neglect on the other hand is defined as endangering physical, mental
linking both child abuse and neglect, opined that child abuse may be physical,
Department of Justice, Canada (2001), the term child abuse refers to the
while in the care of someone they either trust or depend on, such as parents,
Public Health Agency of Canada (2003) divided child abuse and neglect
into five categories, namely: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse,
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using force against a child in such a way that the child is either injured or is at
risk of being injured. It may consist of just one incident or may happen
repeatedly. For those who survive, the emotional scars are often deeper than the
physical scars (Loo, Bala, Clarke and Hornick, 1999). This type of abuse
According to Loo, Bala, Clarke and Hornick, (1999) sexual abuse occurs
exposing a child to any sexual activity or behaviour. Sexual abuse does not
through sexual stimulation. There are eight forms of sexual abuse; penetration
genitals, sex talk telling dirty stories; voyeurism forcing the child to
internet, luring children through internet to meet for sexual liaisons, exposing
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(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2003). Neglect is often chronic and it usually
love, safety and a sense of worth. Another aspect of child abuse is emotional
value tend to become apparent over time. It involves harming a childs sense of
self and can include acts (or omissions) that result in or place a child at risk of
2005). There are four forms of emotional abuse: Verbal abuse; psychological
case, children are exposed to violence between persons who have intimate
child abuse. It takes different forms like hawking of all kinds of items,
when the children should have been in schools or at home studying or doing
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their home work. Child trafficking involves the movement of children from
place to place by force, coercion or deception into situations where they are
neglect in Nigeria without a look at the socio-economic status which has great
power and control are emphasized (Calhoun, Hemingway, and Poulter, 1998).
status (SES) can be high, average or low. It is observed that people of low
socio-economic status often engage in child abuse and neglect due to poverty,
To this background, Chen and Patergon (2006) maintain that low socio-
economic status and its correlates, such as lower education, poverty, and poor
economic status is the key factor that influences quality of life for children,
ways including development across the life span, psychological health, physical
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health of a child which in turn brings about child abuse and neglect in our
societies.
abuse and neglect. Among low-income families, those with family exposure to
substance use to exhibit the highest rates of child abuse and neglect. Melki,
Beydoun, Khogali, Tamim and Yenis (2004) stressed that low socio-economic
outcomes.
differ in terms of a defined variable. The defined variable can relate to socio-
inequality and income inequality). Evidence are abounds that children from low
Chen and Paterson (2006) suggest that children from low socio-economic
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However, Lynch and Kaplan (2000), indicated that general health and
absolute poverty, and are affected by social and structural variables; such as
social attitudes toward disadvantaged people and the degree to which supports
and services are available Being raised in a family characterized by low socio-
childhood like sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and a host of
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the
aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next.
acquiring skills, relevant knowledge and habit for surviving in the changing
beings to achieve the basic life goals, multiply and act positively in caring for
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perfection. A right for education has been created and recognized by some
Child abuse and neglect is not a new thing in Nigeria, and Nigeria
government has promulgated laws to curb the social vices, still it is at its highest
escalating point. There are socio-economic rights, the political rights, the private
published in Ambakogu (2004) includes, the right to survive (Article 5), the
right to health (Article 14) the right to education (Article 11), the right to be
protected from all forms of economic exploitation (Article 15) among others.
Sequel to the above, it is necessary that every Nigerian child is accorded a right
to good life, a right to education, a right to be protected from all forms of abuse
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Children are the biological future of the human race and their healthy
child. This explains why the United Nations (UN) Convention on the rights of
the child provided that children in the care of a parent, guardian, teacher or any
other person who has the care of children should protect them from all forms of
Unfortunately, the rights of the child have not been protected by adult.
Studies have revealed that adults in many cases do not regard some of their
measures in the best interest of the child. In this context, according to Ohia etal
(2002) and Okpala (2010) these abuse are resultant influence of socio-economic
status (low or high). Thus, the child may be battered, deprived, castigated or
she misbehaves.
laws on childs right, child abuse and neglect still persist. Could socio-economic
status be responsible for abuse and neglect of children? What influence has
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of these needs to children is bound to affect their social, emotional, physical and
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will now be able to know the type of work to give to children and where to draw
the line while training them. It will be significant to parents as it will arm them
with knowledge about the dangers of child abuse and neglect and the impact of
psychologist and many more as they will find it useful in monitoring the forms
of child abuse and neglect. The curriculum planners will find it useful in that it
will help them see the need to include the teaching of childrens rights in the
curriculum while reviewing the curriculum. If the rights are included in the
curriculum children will be favoured and know when their rights have been
violated. The findings of the study will serve as reference materials to other
and neglect. Finally, it will also supply relevant data that will help reduce the
Anambra state which comprises three Local Government Areas, involving all
the parents in the zone. The content scope of this study will address the area of
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Research Questions
education zone?
Hypotheses
(1) The influence of parents high socio-economic status on child abuse and
(3) The influence of low socio-economic status of parents on child abuse and
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CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This chapter deals with the review of related literature to this study. It is
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Child
Concept of influence
Theoretical Framework
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Conceptual Framework
Concept of Child
mind, body and soul and should not be older than 16 years. However, the
convention on the rights of the child (1999), maintained that a child is every
Oxford dictionary defined child as a young human being who is not yet
an adult. As stated in Nigeria and the rights of child (1999) is any human being
below the age of 18 years. The various children and young persons enactments
define child as a person who has not attained the age of fourteen years and
young person as one who has attained the age of fourteen years but has not
and neglect or not. Agnew (1983) defined child abuse as the intentional,
emotional, moral and educational welfare of children. Child abuse and neglect
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making an unfair use of a childs senses by adults responsible for the child
constitutes child abuse. Thus the adult may not be directly related to the child
but a person in whose care the child is left can be an abuser. This may include
the educators, healthcare workers, day care workers or other responsible adults
According to the Department of Justice Canada, the term child abuse and
care of someone they either trust or depend on, such as a parent, sibling, other
relatives, caregiver, and child abuse and neglect has devastating consequences
for victims. Child abusers inflict physical, sexual and emotional trauma on
defenseless children every day. The scars can be deep and long lasting. Okpala
might be the most visible sign, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse,
sexual abuse or child neglect also leave deep long lasting scars. Some of the
Child Labour
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In every society, children are required to do some work and such work
may differ depending on the society involved. This type of work is an important
part of a childs basic education and means of handling over necessary skills
from parents to children. This kind of work is beneficial to the childs physical
mental, spiritual, moral and social development provided it does not interfere
with schooling, recreation and rest (Ohia etal, 2002). Child labour in contrast is
work by children under conditions harmful to their health usually for long hours
and for very low wages. Such work is destructive and exploitative. Children are
not physically suited to long hours of strenuous and monotonous work. They are
child labour:
Physical abuse/Neglect
involves deliberately using force against a child in such a way that the child is
either injured or is at risk of being injured. Physical neglect is the denial of care,
nutrition and medical care. The most glaring form of this neglect is the various
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result of this type of neglect. Many unloved and unwanted children run away
from home and take to the streets exposing themselves to further abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is widely regarded as a cause of mental health
problem in adult life. Sexual abuse, is taking advantage of childs tender years
and innocence in order to subject the child to engage in sexual activities that
he/she does not fully understand and to which he/she cannot give any informed
consent (Ohia etal, 2002). Child sexual abuse does not always consist of
penetration, it may be purely verbal rather than physical. Sexual abuse can have
long term consequences. Many abusers have a history of being sexually abused
themselves. Some of the more frequently cited kinds of sexual abuse are:
(a) Incest: This a sexual relation which occur between two people in the
same family, such as father and daughter or mother and son, sister and
subject for the child involved for reasons which include shame,
encouraged it.
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ought to be treated as rape even if the child consents since the child is not
al, 2002).
money or other favours and is often seen as sexual abuse. Most children
were forced into this, some do it out of desperation and others are too
(e) Sexual harassment: This may take many forms including repeated
girls or women.
Emotional Abuse/Neglect
This is difficult category to document since the effects of emotional abuse
tend to become apparent over time. It involves harming a childs sense of self
and can include acts (or omissions) that result in, or place a child at risk of,
child to constant criticism and humiliation and never commending child for
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from a child. Also many parents fail to express love to the children, such
attitudes shatter a childs fragile ego and convey the message that the child is
unloved and unwanted. It may also lead to feelings of depression, guilt and fear.
The emotional well being of a child will ensure that he/she grows into a
isolation among others which erode the victims self esteem (National Exchange
Neglect
Neglect is a form of child abuse which means failing to provide for a
supervision. Child neglect is not always easy to spot. Sometimes a parent might
become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious
injury, untreated depression, or helplessness, apathy and low self esteem. Other
times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to
keep a child safe (Wakipedia, no date). Older children might not show outward
world, and even taking on the role of the parent. But at the end of the day,
neglected children are not getting their physical and emotional needs met.
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Early Marriages
This is a form of child abuse where some parents give out their immature
girls hand in marriages. These cultural practices tend to negatively affect the
chances of the girl-child getting good education (Hodges, 2001). Nigerians have
constitute abuse and neglect of children. However, this government have done
nothing to stop those traditional practices such as early sale of the girl-child for
marriage. Some studied report that female children are given away in marriage
before attaining puberty as a means of preventing the act premarital sex. Others
report that early marriages are strategies adopted by poor families to supplement
All the same, it follows that such early marriages constitute the greatest
abuse to the girl-child for they lead to early pregnancies which these young ones
are ill-developed to carry higher mortality and death rates, and higher mother
While the internet has been a source of significant positive change, it has
also created new opportunities for the abuse and exploitation of children and
the internet (Stanley, 2001). Prior to the internet, law enforcement was winning
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the war on child pornography, but the internet has made child pornography a
figures and U.S.A. research, over 50,000 children have been seen on the internet
worldwide, but only 5000 of them have been identified and rescued (Loo, Bala,
Clarke and Hornick, 1999). Millions of children are online either in their own
There are many potential dangers for children on the internet. Children can be
may meet predators in chat rooms who are seeking a meeting. Stalking and
bullying can ever occur on the internet. Parents must talk to their children about
both the benefits and dangers of the internet. Also it is very important for
parents to track their childrens movement on the internet and in chat rooms.
society, although children have been neglected, beaten, exploited and even
murdered by their parents, caregivers and other adults for hundreds of years, it
is only since the mid-twentieth century that legislation requiring reporting and
persecution of child abuse and neglect has been enacted (Child Welfare League
of America, 2001). The cause of child abuse and neglect can be outlined as
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parents abuse drugs and alcohol are almost three times more likely to be abused
and four times more likely to be neglected by their children of parents who are
not substance abusers. Eight-five percent of states that report statistics for child
abuse and neglect cite parental substance abuse and poverty as the top two
(1988) asserted that a large number of children do not live with their own
parents but are hired out to others as servants to uplift the financial status of the
family. The parents of these children, as he observed are usually poor and
ignorant and they often entrust their children to persons who run lucrative
unofficial child labour exchanges and who by their activities may be linked to
directly accountable to the childs parents and therefore takes the child as his or
her property. Okeahialam (1994) revealed that street hawking and child begging
by tradition. Supporting this view, Muazu (1994), noted that Moslem tradition
study away from their home environment to toughen them so that they can
endure hardship.
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substantiated child abuse cases is that the abusive parents often report having
Another factor that creates room for child abuse and neglect is the Socio-
entrust the care of their children and wards in the hand of caregivers, nannies,
normal child development. In most of the cases consequences of child abuse are
life-long and can be devastating. Even children who witness violence in the
were physically abused. The very persons charged with the care and nurturing
of a child and to whom the child turns for food, love and safety can cause the
child pain and injury. The child then learns to distrust adults.
Additionally, children who are neglected and abused exhibit a wide array
of characteristics and behaviours. Most common among these are anger, acting
sleep difficulties. Mckenna, Bowlus, Day, and Wright (2003) maintained that
abuse and neglect can cause a child to dissociate and develop disorders such as
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stressed that adults with a history of child abuse and neglect are more likely to
have:
neglect, they are not insurmountable. There is a common saying that prevention
that abuse is wrong and they have a right to say no, no matter what their
relationship is to the abuser. Education on child abuse for both children and
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and report abuse and what resources are available for the prevention,
families identified as high risk for child abuse. While tertiary prevention is
directed to families where abuse has already occurred, with the goal of
home health visits for newborns, and assist parents of children with special
Disorders and stroke, 2001). In the area of treatment, there are many treatment
teachers, social workers and health care professionals may provide these
suffered.
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group of individuals, when viewed through a social class lens, privilege, power
and control.
affects human functioning in many ways, including development across the life.
span, psychological and physical health (Newachek, Hung, Park, Brindis and
Irwin, 2003). According to Lynch, Smith, Kaplan and House (2000) Socio-
factors influences incidence of child abuse and neglect and outcomes can be
resources. Socio-economic status is categorized into the low SES medium and
high. Low level of socio-economic status has been found to be associated with,
disorder, and conduct disorders (Spenser, Kohn and Wood 2002). It is also
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Influenc
Income Inequality
Employment
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical frameworks that will be discussed are: The social learning
theory.
through modeling. From observing others, one forms an idea of how new
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behaviours are performed and on later occasions, this coded information serves
as a guide for action. Social learning theory explains human behaviour in terms
likely to imitate the behavour of others if they particularity admire and identify
with them.
Children acquire the act of hawking, bullying and their moral standards by
observing and imitating models. Children do what they see other people do such
as their parents, older siblings, family friends, peer group, television characters
provided that what these people do does not lead to punishment. This theory
typically emphasized that children adopt the standard of behaviour and emotion
parenting skills are learn by children through modeling and there is this
tendency that the abused will abuse children because it has been coded into
theorized that for every human being there exist needs arranged in a hierarchy
or satisfaction levels. Psychological needs include the needs for food, water,
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behaviour and the higher ones are pushed into the background.
freedom from fear and long-term stability. Order and discipline are approaches
to the satisfaction of safety needs. There should be adequate protection for the
child both at home and school against any form of security or threatening
strong desire for reputation and prestige, for recognition and attention, and for
feeling of being important, useful and appreciated by the society. If this need is
satisfied in the life of a child, the effect is that of positive and salutary feeling of
self-confidence and high self-esteem. Failure to gratify this need brings about
attractions towards beauty, decency and orderliness and people tend to aspire
toward rare heights and achieve distinction and eminence. It is ideal that the
child needs to be cared for, provided for so as to key in the need for beauty and
hamper their development and will bring about feeling of traumatic behaviour
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Erikson (1994), divided the child developmental stages of life into seven
life cycles, but this work will be concerned with the first five life crisis which
(i) 0 1 years. Trust Versus Mistrust. In the first year of life, children are
at this stage. Trust is formed when, at this stage, babies are given adequate care,
attention, warmth, love, physical needs, touch and affection. Mistrust will arise
by inadequate care, attention by parents, who do not meet babys basic needs,
tasks and challenges like scrawling, toileting, touching, exploring with minimal
control etc. On the other hand, parents who highly restrict or over protect or
ridicule their children make them develop shame and doubt their ability and
(iii) 3 5 years: Initiative versus Guilt: Children learn to take initiative, face
and play. In this case, parents have to give children the freedom to play, to ask
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accomplish more complex skills like reading, writing skills, telling time, form
should encourage children to achieve these. Otherwise, the children will feel
period when the child form peer groups, identity with models, ready to plan for
the future, if he comes out with strong identity. While a person who fails to
achieve these suffers identity crisis, becomes confused and unable to take
decisions.
The researcher reviewed some related works to the study which include:
Valericia University, Spain. The sample for the study consisted of 283 parents.
The instrument used was questionnaire Means and Standard deviation were
used to analyze the data. The finding of her work showed that there were poor
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university students in South Africa province. The aim of the study was to
determine sexual abuse among university students. The survey design was used,
while the sample size consisted of 300 psychology students in the university.
The result showed a significant number of high school students being abused.
The study also showed that 27% indicated (physical abuse), sexual abuse, 23%
indicated that they were kissed in a sexual way, 25% indicated that they were
touched in a sexual way, while the rest of 25% indicated that they had never
had sexual intercourse. Gisela and Carl (2008) conducted a study on child
sexual abuse among high school seniors in Lund University Sweden. The
sample for the study consisted of 4,339 (2324 girls and 2,015 boys). The
instrument used was questionnaire, Mean and Standard deviation were used to
analyze the data. The findings showed that 1505 girls (65%) and 457 boys
Owerri urban of Imo state. The design used was a survey design. The sample
for the study consisted of 616 primary school children in Owerri urban. The
analyze the data. The findings from the study showed that majority of children
in Owerri urban of Imo state suffered from physical abuse, emotional abuse,
and social abuse. The findings also indicated that majority of the children
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those who practiced child abuse. The findings also indicated that majority of the
family structure as risk factors for sexual abuse among urban secondary school
framework for data gathering. Data were collected from three secondary schools
completed the questionnaire, 151 reported having been sexually abused in one
or more ways before the age of 18 years, giving an overall prevalence rate of
56.3 %. Overall, the results show that the most important factors that were
parental substance abuse. Risk of any child sexual abuse was not associated
with the existence of siblings, household size, parental occupation and fathers
education.
Nigerian children. Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria, was
purposely sampled and the respondents who participated in the study were
conveniently sampled from the study area. Simple percentages and chi-square
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were the methods of data analysis employed in the study. The study discovered
that the level of awareness of the dangers inherent in child hawking among the
affected children was low. The investigation of the study revealed that parents
levels of education, parents occupations and the sizes of the family were
Odu, Alokan and Arijesuyo (2011), carried out a study to examine the
relationship between family interaction and child abuse among public secondary
exploratory type was adopted for the study. A total of 1,440 public secondary
western states of Nigeria, were sampled for this study. Out of these students,
695 students were found to be abused and their responses formed the data that
were analyzed for the study. The researchers constructed a questionnaire titled
after validation. The instrument has construct validity co-efficient of 0.76 and a
reliability co-efficient of 0.83. The statistical technique that was used to analyse
the data collected was Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The result showed
that there was a significant relationship between family interaction and child
parental socio-economic status and child labour practices in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The
study employed survey method to gather data from 200 parents which
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constituted the study population. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and t-test
statistics were used for the data analyses. The outcome of the study showed that
labour. The study also found out that parent of low income status showed
significant high tendencies toward child labour practices than their high income
counterparts.
Ogundele and Ojo, (2007) carried out a study to examined four socio-
upbringing and single parenthood. The descriptive survey research design was
used. A simple random sampling technique was used to select two thousand and
sixty three subjects from the five metropolitan local government areas in Ibadan
viz: Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East,
Ibadan South West. Chi-square was used to test the four hypotheses set at 0.05
alpha levels. The findings of the study established that factors examined
various degrees.
The review has explored various works and researches on child abuse
and neglect, and the socio-economic impact on child abuse in Nigeria and the
child abuse which includes: physical child abuse, emotional, sexual and child
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(SES) which have influence on the incidence of child abuse, abuse and neglect
concept of influence. The forms of child abuse and neglect, the causes, possible
consequences and possible solutions to the problems were also reviewed. Under
From literatures reviewed, it was observed that parents and the society at
large are under obligation to provide their children with proper education, care
and to protect them from maltreatment in any form. However, in Nigeria and
neglect were quite few. Also no study known to the researcher has been carried
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CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD
In this chapter, the researcher presented the design of the study, area of
the study, population, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data
inquiry in which the scientist does not have direct control on independent
variables because they are inherently not manipulable. This design was
determined. Since the pupils have already been assigned to the various levels of
socioeconomic status by nature, this design was most suitable for the study.
The study was carried out in Aguata education zone of Anambra state.
Orumba North Local Government area and Aguata Local Government Area.
The strategic roles of the area as both for business, all sorts of trading activities,
farming, and civil service makes it vulnerable to child abuse practices. Located
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within this are Federal Polytechnic Oko, Federal College of Education Umuze
and other private and public establishments. These have attracted people from
many works of lives who are resident in the area and have created a perpetual
The target population of the study were all primary six pupils in the
public schools in Orumba South Local Government Area, Orumba North Local
considered appropriate because some of the pupils can read and write and they
The sample of the study comprised 618 primary six pupils in public
schools in Aguata education zone. This simple was obtained by simple random
research involving few thousands, at least 5% of the population was used as the
sample size.
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instrument consists of two parts (parts A and B). Part A deals with demographic
influence child abuse and neglect and contains 10 items (11 20). Cluster C
incidence of child abuse and neglect and contains 10 items (21 30). And
does income influence the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Cluster D
The instrument will be rated on a four point rating scale of very High
Extent (VHE) = 4 points, High Extent (HE) = 3 points, Low Extent (LE) = 2
suggestions and advices of the validators were used to make the final version of
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the instrument (see appendix A) for final version and appendix B for validated
drawn from different school that was not part of the study. Cronbach Alpha was
respectively. The overall reliability of the instrument was 0.83 (see Appendix
C).
The six hundred and eighteen (618) copies of the validated questionnaire
were administered directly to the respondents by the researcher with the help of
three trained assistants, who were in charge of distribution and collection of the
the three research questions for the study. Any item with the mean of 0.5 1.49
will be considered as not applicable, 1.5 2.4 will be low extent, 2.5 3.4 will
be high extent and 3.5 4.0 will be very high extent. Analysis of variance
(ANOVA) was used to test the three null hypotheses at 0.05 level of
significance.
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CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
This chapter is concerned with the presentation of results from data analysis.
The results are presented in tables according to the research questions and
Research Question 1:
To what extent does Parents income influence the incidence of child abuse and
of child abuse and neglect were grouped according the various income level as
Income N X
SD
N50,000 and below 200 2.97 0.16
51,000 - N100,000 258 2.32 0.31
Above N100,000 160 2.27 0.43
Total 618 252 0.44
Table 1 shows that the mean response of pupils whose Parents income was
N50,000 and below in relation to the incidence of child abuse and neglect was
2.97 with a standard deviation of 0.16. Also, the mean response of pupils whose
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42
abuse and neglect was 2.32 with a standard deviation of 0.31. While the mean
response of pupils whose Parents income are above N100,000 in relation to the
incidence of child abuse and neglect was 2.27 with a standard deviation of 0.43.
Based on the criteria means set in method of data analysis, result in Table 1
indicate that, pupils whose Parents income was N50,000 and below
experienced the incidence of child abuse and neglect is to a high extent. The
result also indicated that pupils whose Parents income were between N51,000 -
N100,000, and above N100,000 experienced the incidence of child abuse and
incidence of child abuse and neglect to a high extent in Aguata Education Zone.
Hypothesis 1
extent to which Parents level of income influence the incidence of child abuse
level of income influence the incidence of child abuse and neglect in Aguata
Education Zone.
Variable SS DF MS F Sig
Between Groups 61.701 2 30.851 314.14 0.00
Within Groups 60.397 615 0.098
Total 122.098 617
= 0.05
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probability value of 0.00 was obtained. This probability value of 0.00 was
compared with 0.05 and it was found to be significant because 0.00 was less
than 0.05. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected and inference drawn that,
which Parents level of income influence the incidence of child abuse and
Research Question 2:
child abuse and neglect as grouped according the various Parents level of
Education N X
SD
No formal education 68 2.88 0.50
Primary education 100 2.85 0.26
Secondary education 150 2.56 0.39
Tertiary education 300 2.31 0.37
Total 618 2.52 0.45
Table 3 shows that the mean response of pupils whose parents had no
formal education in relation to the incidence of child abuse and neglect was 2.88
with a standard deviation of 0.50. Also, the mean response of pupils whose
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44
parents had primary education in relation to the incidence of child abuse and
neglect was 2.85 with a standard deviation of 0.26. Table 3 equally shows that
the mean response of pupils whose parents had secondary education in relation
to the incidence of child abuse and neglect was 2.56 with a standard deviation
of 0.39. The means response of pupils whose parents has tertiary education in
relation to the incidence of child abuse and neglect was 2.31 with a standard
deviation of 0.37. Base on the criteria set in method of data analysis, result in
Table 3 indicated that, the incidence of child abuse and neglect is to a high
extent for pupils whose parents; had no formal education, primary and
secondary levels of education, and low extent for parents with tertiary level of
education. The overall means of the incidence of child abuse and neglect based
0.45. This was indicative that Parents level of education influences the in
incidence of child abuse and neglect to a high extent in Aguata Education Zone.
Hypothesis 2
the extent to which Parents level of education influence the incidence of child
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45
Variable SS DF MS F Sig
Between Groups 33.719 3 11.240 78.087 0.00
Within Groups 88.378 614 0.144
Total 122.098 617
= 0.05
The result in Table 4 shows that an F-ratio of 78.09 with associated
probability value of 0.00 was obtained. This probability value of 0.00 was
compared with 0.05 and it was found to be significant because 0.00 was less
than 0.05. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected and inference drawn that,
which Parents level of education influence in the incidence of child abuse and
Research Question 3:
incidence of child abuse and neglect were grouped according to the various
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Occupation N X
SD
Trading 218 2.70 0.43
Public servant 240 2.08 0.42
Artisan 120 2.35 0.40
Others 40 2.22 0.40
Total 618 2.34 0.45
2.70 with a standard deviation of 0.43. Also, the mean response of pupils whose
and neglect is 2.08 with a standard deviation of 0.42. Table 5 equally shows that
the incidence of child abuse and neglect is 2.35 with a standard deviation of
0.40. The mean response of pupils whose Parents occupation was classified as
others in relation to the incidence of child abuse and neglect is 2.22 with a
standard deviation of 0.40. Based on the criteria set in method of data analysis,
results in Table 5 indicated that, the incidence of child abuse and neglect is to a
high extent for pupils whose Parents occupation is trading, and low extent for
pupils whose Parents occupation were public servant, artisan and those
classified as others. The overall mean of the incidence of child abuse and
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Hypothesis 3
extent to which Parents occupation influence the incidence of child abuse and
Variable SS DF MS F Sig
Between Groups 14.628 3 4.876 27.858 0.00
Within Groups 107.469 614 0.175
Total 122.098 617
= 0.05
The result in Table 6 shows that an F-ratio of 27.86 with associated
probability value of 0.00 was obtained. This probability value of 0.00 was
compared with 0.05 and it was found to be significant because 0.00 was less
than 0.05. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected and inference drawn that,
which Parents occupation influence the incidence of child abuse and neglect in
Summary of Findings
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CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS,
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUMMARY
One of the findings of this study was that Parents income influences the
incidence of child abuse and neglect to a high extent in Aguata Education Zone.
The incident of child abuse and neglect was to a high extent for pupils whose
Parents income was N50,000 and below. It was to a low extent for pupils
whose Parents income was N51,000 and above. The finding further shows that
there was a significant difference in the mean response of pupils on the extent to
which Parents level of income influence the incidence of child abuse and
Elgbeleye and Olasupol (2011) who found out that parents of low income status
form of child abuse) than their high income counterparts. The finding of this
study is also in line with that of Ogundele and Ojo, (2007) who examined four
metropolis .the findings of the study established that factors such as economic
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50
various degrees. The finding of this study is also in agreed with that of Agu
(2005) who carried out a study to examine child abuse by adults in Owerri
urban of Imo State and found out that majority of the children suffered from
influences the incidence of child abuse and neglect to a high extent in Aguata
Education Zone. Specifically, the findings of the study show that the incidence
of child abuse and neglect was to a high extent for pupils whose parents do not
have formal education. It was also to a high extent for pupils whose parents
have primary and secondary levels of education, and low extent for pupils
whose parents have tertiary level of education. The finding further shows that
which Parents level of education influence the incidence of child abuse and
neglect in Aguata Education Zone. The finding of this study is also in line with
that of Ojo (2013) who investigated the problem of street hawking as a form of
abuse among the Nigerian children. Ojo discovered that the level of awareness
of the dangers inherent in child hawking among the affected children was low.
The investigation of the study revealed that Parents levels of education Parents
occupations and the sizes of the family were significantly related to the problem
of child hawkers. Chen and Patergon (2006) maintain that low socio-economic
status and its correlates, such as lower education, poverty, and poor health
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Lastly, it was revealed from the finding of the study that Parents
occupation influences the incidence of child abuse and neglect to a low extent in
Aguata Education Zone. Specifically the findings of the study show that the
incidence of child abuse and neglect was to a high extent for pupils whose
Parents occupation is trading, and low extent for parents whose occupation
shows that there is a significant difference in the mean response of pupils on the
extent to which Parents occupation influence the incidence of child abuse and
assertion of (Child Welfare League of America, 2001) who outlined the causes
among others.
Educational Implications
The results of the study discussed and interpreted above have far-reaching
the incidence of child abuse and neglect, it implies that pupils parent with low
income are more likely not to meet up with the educational needs of their wards.
This in turn may create opportunity for pupils abuse and neglect. Teachers can
strive to cultivate a kind of relationship with their pupils. This can be achieved
by addressing pupils personal needs and inviting pupils to discuss with them
even on things unrelated to abuse and neglect they may have suffered. Doing so,
will no doubt create a friendly climate and motivate pupils to study better which
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52
in the end will lead to better performance. Parents can also be advice to avoid
influences the incidence of child abuse and neglect calls for a great need to
sensitize the parents. In this regard, parents may be given some form of
orientation about what constitute child abuse and neglect .this may help them
protect their children against any form of child abuse and neglect.
child abuse and neglect. Pupils parents whose occupations are classified as
less valued earn low wages whereas those whose parents occupations are
prestigious earn high wages. For pupils whose parents earn low wages, school
fees and other needs may be afforded. As such they sometime stay at home,
misconduct, and in drug use among other deviant behaviours. However, when
occupations and high wages) they are emotionally secure, independent and are
classroom and provide interventions that will assist those who are of low valued
occupation background.
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Recommendation
parents/guidance to avoid acts that will result in child abuse and neglects
constitute child abuse and neglect. This may help them protect their
whose parent is of low valued occupation and whose school fees and other
The study was conducted in the Aguata Education Zone and only 618
pupils were used as subject of the study. The use of a larger sample could have
yielded more valid and reliable result but was not possible due to the difficulty
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Some of the respondents may have ticked all the responses in order to
make impressions and not necessarily reflecting their true or real choices and
Based on the findings and limitations of this study, the following have
1. A similar study should be carried out in other locations outside the Aguata
education zone. The study should be carried out using the senior secondary
economic status on the incidence of child abuse and neglect. The study was
South, Orumba North and Aguata Local Government Areas. The population of
the study was 12,361 primary six pupils out which 618 pupils were drawn as
subjects for the study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were
out to expose the researcher to what has already been done in the area of the
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study. The literature review was based on the following subheadings:- Concept
The design adopted for the study was Ex-post facto research design. A
questionnaire was used as instrument for the study. It was validated and trial
tested to ensure its reliability. The questionnaire was distributed to 618 students
and collected. Mean, standard deviation and analysis of variance were used in
The result of the study revealed that Parents level of income significantly
influence the incidence of child abuse and neglect. It was also revealed that
studies and the educational implications of the findings were highlighted. Also,
recommendations were made and the limitations of the study and suggestions
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56
REFERENCES
Andrea, S. (2001). A history of the National Incidence study of child abuse and
neglect. Westar, Inc.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2008). What is child abuse and neglect?
Retrieved from www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheet/whatiscan.cfm.
Coleman, J. F., Blake, R.R. and Mouton J.S. (1957). Task difficulty and
conformity pressures. Journal of sociological psychology 57, 120 122.
.
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Enrique, G. (1995). Visible but unreported: A case for the Not serious
Enough Cases of maltreatment, Child Abuse and Neglect. Vol. 19, 9,
1083 1093.
Eze, D. N. (2005). What to write and how to write: A step by step guide to
education research proposal and report. Enugu: Pearl and Gold Press.
Gisela, P. and Carl, G.S. (2008). Child sexual abuse is largely hidden from
adult society. An epidemiological study of adolescents disclosures.
Sweden: Elsevier Ltd.
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Lynch, J. W., Smith, G. D., Kaplan, G. A., and House, J. S. (2000). Income
inequality and Mortality: Importance to health of individual income,
psychosocial environment, or material conditions. British Medical
Journal 320, (7243), 1200 1204.
Melki, I. S., Beydoun, H. A., Khagali, M; Tamim, H., and Yunis, K. A (2004).
Household Crowding index: A correlate of Socio-economic status and
interpregnancy spacing in an unborn setting. Journal of epidemiology and
Community Health, 58, 476 480.
Mckenna, K., Bowlus, A., Day, T. and Wright, D. (2003). The economic costs
and consequences of child abuse in Canada. Retrieved from http://
www./cc.gc. calpdf/mckenna.pdf.
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Starnley, J. (2001). Child Abuse and the Internet. Austration Institute of family
studies. Retrieved from http//www.aifs.gov.au/nch/issues/issues15.pdf.
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APPENDIX A
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yours faithfully,
Okpukpara, Ijeoma P.
PG/MED/08/49696.
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Class of School...
Others .
Others
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APPENDIX B
CLUSTER A
Reliability
CLUSTER B
Reliability
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CLUSTER C
Reliability
CLUSTER D
Reliability
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OVERALL
Reliability
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Descriptives
Child abuse and neglect
95% Confidence
Interval for Mean
Std. Std. Lower Upper Minimu Maxim
Deviat Error Bound Bound m um
N Mean ion
N50,000 and below 200 2.9748 .16262 .01150 2.9522 2.9975 2.73 3.37
N51,000-N100,000 258 2.3171 .31399 .01955 2.2786 2.3556 1.37 2.87
Above N100,000 160 2.2738 .43290 .03422 2.2062 2.3413 1.47 3.40
Total 618 2.5187 .44485 .01789 2.4836 2.5539 1.37 3.40
ANOVA
Child abuse and neglect
Sum of Df Mean F Sign.
Squares Square
Between Groups 61.701 2 30.851 314.142 .000
Within Groups 60.397 615 .098
Total 122.098 617
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Descriptives
Child abuse and neglect.
95% Confidence
Interval for Mean
Std. Std. Lower Upper Mini Maximu
Deviation Error Bound Bound mum m
N Mean
No formal education 68 2.8767 .50276 .06097 2.7550 2.9984 1.53 3.37
Primary education 100 2.8524 .26310 .02631 2.8002 2.9046 1.90 3.17
Secondary education 150 2.5600 .38696 .03160 2.4979 2.6225 1.47 2.97
Tertiary education 300 2.3057 .37603 .02171 2.2630 2.3484 1.37 3.40
Total 618 2.5187 .44485 .01789 2.4836 2.5539 1.37 3.40
ANOVA
Child abuse and neglect
Sum of Df Mean F Sign.
Squares Square
Between Groups 33.719 3 11.240 78.087 .000
Within Groups 88.378 614 .144
Total 122.098 617
Descriptives
95% Confidence
Interval for Mean
Std. Std. Lower Upper Mini Maximu
Deviation Error Bound Bound mum m
N Mean
Trading 218 2.7037 .42720 .02893 2.6467 2.7607 1.53 3.37
Public servant 240 2.0838 .42342 .02733 2.4299 2.5376 1.47 3.40
Artisan 120 2.3516 .39808 .03634 2.2797 2.4236 1.47 2.87
Others 40 2.2218 .39745 .06284 2.0947 2.3489 1.37 2.77
Total 618 2.3403 .44485 .01789 2.4836 2.5539 1.37 3.40
ANOVA
Child abuse and neglect
Sum of Df Mean F Sign.
Squares Square
Between Groups 14.628 3 4.876 27.858 .000
Within Groups 107.469 614 .175
Total 122.098 617
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APPENDIX C