CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN GYEL DISTRICT OF JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT

The research work analyses the cause of child abuse and neglect. The various form of child abuse and their impact on the child and the society. Child abuse and neglect leads to denial of the child’s right which includes: education, food, health, medical care etc. to determine the trend and pattern of child abuse and neglect, identifying factors that lead parents/guardians engaging in abusing their children.

Questionnaires were distributed to respondents in the study area. Data obtained and were presented analyzed. The analysis showed that the socio-economic status of parent is a major factor that make parents to abuse their children, educationally, emotionally, and use them as hawkers, beggars etc. Other factors include level of education of parents, inability of government to meet up its citizens’ needs, lack of legislation against child abuse and neglect, parenting style. Child abuse and neglect exposes children to danger that can influence their social behaviour thus, leading to juvenile delinquency which contributes to social menace in the society.

The government should ensure that the social-economic status of parents is improved so that they can not abuse nor neglect their children.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                 i

Declaration                                                              ii

Approval page                                                          iii

Dedication                                                               iv

Acknowledgements                                                  v

Abstract                                                                   vii

Table of Contents                                                     ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study                                 1

1.2   Statement of the Problem                                3

1.3   Objectives of the Study                                    3

1.4   Significance of the Study                                 4

1.5   Scope and Limitation of Study                         5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1      Introduction                                                     6

2.2      Causes of Child Abuse                                     7

2.3      State of a Child                                                        11

2.4      Forms of Child Abuse and Neglect                   12

2.5      Child Neglect                                                   17

2.6      The Impact of Child Abuse on the Victim         19

2.7      The Impact of Child Abuse on the Society               20

2.8      Rights of the Child                                           20

2.9      Theoretical Frame of Reference                                21

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1      Introduction                                                     24

3.2      Population of Study                                         24

3.3      Sample Size and Sampling Techniques           25

3.4      Instrument for Data Collection                        25

3.5      Method of Data Analysis                                  26

3.6      Statistical Techniques used in Analysis

of the Data                                                       27

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1      Introduction                                                     28

4.2      Demographic Data of Respondents                  28

4.3      Major Findings                                                38

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 

5.1      Summary of Findings                                              40

5.2      Recommendations                                                   41

5.3      Conclusion                                                              44

5.4      The Role of Social Workers in the Ameliorating

Child Abuse in the Nigerian Society                         45

        REFERENCES                                                         48

        QUESTIONNAIRE                                                     51

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The concepts of child abuse and child neglect are forms of maltreatment on the child that impedes child survival, development and participation. Children are seen as assets to parents and government because they are human resources that any society can boast of, therefore, parents and government invest in them in order to obtain better tomorrow. This can be achieved however, if their early child socialization is devoid of harmful cultural practices that crippled their chances of survival, development and participation.

Ejikeme (1987) defines child abuse as a problem arising from the intention of an adult to carry out an act that is inimical or detrimental to the physical, intellectual, language, emotional, moral and social development of a child; while child neglect which involves some degree of deprivation refers to an intentional failure of an adult to perform physical, cognitive, moral and social development of a child.

However, it is imperative to note in this premise that what constitute child maltreatment in one society may not be considered same in another society, this is because of cultural differences an belief, practices. From the above, it will be important to trace the fact that there might be different factors that caused child abuse and neglect since the application of cultural ideology is not universal; that is, it changes across societies.

However, different forms of child maltreatment exist like: child trafficking, street begging, street hawking, child discrimination or child preference, early marriage, prostitution, child labour, use of virgin girl-child for ritual/sacrifice etc. despite tangible evidences or empirical indicators of child abuse and neglect, it is difficult to measure.

This is so because it is recognized as a major social problem that occurs in all levels of social class, race, religion and ethnic groups. It is important to note that the practice of child abuse and neglect is supported by government indirectly when the individual is seen as a product of the society.

Poor socio-economic status of parents trace its roots through unemployment and destitution as government does not address social inequality, unemployment and poverty amongst its citizens, instead people in position work towards actualizing their selfish ends and those who cannot meet the society values through the legitimate means result to deviance and crime as postulated by Robert K. Merton, Alemika and Best (1988) argues that our past successive state Governors/Administrators both military and Politicians, business individuals, foreigners etc who loot billions of Naira from the country’s treasury and precipitate years of economic crisis, political instability etc are hardly arrested, prosecuted nor jailed, instead they are rewarded with Chieftaincy tittles, honorary degrees, ministerial appointments, contracts and the like.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Forms of child maltreatment like; child abandonment, child abduction, child trafficking, street begging, street hawking, child labour, prostitution, early marriage and the like, deteriote and cause a total decay of the society. This foster insecurity and anarchy as a result of inadequate means of meeting legitimate goals or values of the society. This jeopardizes not only the immediate children but further endangers our future continuum and a tactical genocidal wipe of humanity since child maltreatment maimed the survival, development and participation of the child.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The research at glance intent to critically analyzes, appraises and examines the impact of negative attributes of child abuse and neglect on the individual, families and the society. The specific objectives are:

i)             Determine the impact of child abuse and neglect on the child.

ii)           Determine the relationship between child abuse, child neglect and crime.

iii)          Determine the roles of parents and government in curbing the menace.

iv)          Determine the influence of culture in propagating child abuse and neglect.

v)            Make appropriate recommendations to the government.

1.4       SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

Child abuse and child neglect are social problems that affects a significant number of people about which something need to be done. This menace deters technological advancement and waste a lot of wisdom and talents. This study however, would help reduce the number of people affected through adequate mobilization and campaign against this catastrophe. This study would also help in legislating against the catastrophe. This study would provide a data bank that serve as literature for further use by scholars.

1.5       SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study was restricted to Gyel district of Jos south local government area; this is to provide the researcher access to sample a particular target population to ensure meaningful work.

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