ABSTRACT
This
work is an investigation into the Effect of Child Abuse on Academic Performance
and Social Development of Adolescents in Dutse Local Government, Jigawa State.
The study used ten secondary schools in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa
State. The sample of the study comprised Two Hundred (200) students, twenty
(20) students were selected from each school. Questionnaire was the main
instrument used for collecting data. Three null hypotheses were formulated to
find out the relationship between Adolescents’ Academic Performance and Social
Development parents/guardian attitude, the difference between a child abuse
trained by his/her parents and the child trained by a guardian and fourthly,
Government attitude and child abuse. Percentage statistics was used to test the
hypotheses and analyse the data collected. The following findings were made
after the study: Finally, the results were discussed based on the review of the
related literature, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made based on
the findings of the study Suggestions were also made for further research.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
Page………………………………………………………………..ii
Certification………………………………………………………..……iii
Dedication…………………………………………………….…………iv
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………..v
Table
of Contents……………………………………..…………….…….vi
Abstract……………………………………………………………………ix
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
of the Study…………………………………..………………1
Statement
of the Problem……………………………..……..………..……6
Purpose
of Study…………………………………….………....…….…….7
Aim
and Objectives of the Study…………………….………....…….…….7
Research
Questions…………………………………………………………8
Significance
of Study………………………………..…….………………..9
Scope
of Study…………………………………….……………………..….9
Definition
of Terms…………………………………………………………9
CHAPTER
TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The
Concept of Child Abuse…………..………………………………….11
The
Causes of Child Abuse…………………….…………………………12
The
Effect of Child Abuse on Students Academic………………….……22
Factors
Affecting the Consequences of Child abuse and Neglect….……26
Theoretical
Orientations towards Child Abuse as it
Affect
Academic Performance…………………………………………….34
Summary
of the Literature……..……………………………………….…41
CHAPTER
THREE
METHOD OF STUDY
Introduction……………………………………………………..………….43
Research
Design……………………….………………….......……………43
Population
of Study……………………………………………...…….…...43
Sample
and sampling procedure……………………………..…………….43
Research
Instrument ………………………………………….…………...44
Validation
of research instrument………………………………………….45
Administration
of research instrument…………………………………….45
Data
Analysis Technique..………………………………..……………..…46
CHAPTER
FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS
INTERPRETATION & DISCUJSSION
Data
presentation…………………………………………………….……47
Analysis
of research questions……………………..…………………..…48
Discussion………………………………………..…….…………………54
CHAPTER
FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS,
CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
of Findings…………………………………………………….56
Conclusion……………………………………………………………..…58
Recommendations……………………..……………………………..……58
References…………………………………………………………………61
Appendix
(Questionnaire)…………………………………………………66
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the
Study
Globally,
child abuse refers to intentional acts that cause physical or emotional harm to
children. The term covers a wide range of behaviors, from physical assault by
parents or caretakers to neglect of a child's basic needs. Child abuse is
sometimes called child maltreatment (Gelles, 1993). While the extent of child
abuse is difficult to measure, it is recognized as a major social issue,
particularly in industrialized nations. Child abuse occurs in all income,
racial, religious, and ethnic groups, and in both urban and rural communities.
However, it is more prevalent in some groups, especially those living below the
poverty line. Cultural perceptions of child abuse vary around the world, with
countries like Sweden prohibiting any physical punishment of children, while in
some Asian, African, and Caribbean cultures, parents are expected to discipline
children physically.
There
are various types of child abuse, and some children experience more than one
form. Physical abuse, for instance, involves deliberate violence that may
injure or kill a child. Symptoms such as unexplained bruises, broken bones, or
burn marks can be signs of physical abuse. Sexual abuse involves adults using
children for sexual gratification or exposing them to sexual activities. It may
range from kissing and fondling to more intrusive acts such as oral sex or
penetration. Emotional abuse, which destroys a child’s self-esteem, often
includes verbal abuse, threats, and degrading or humiliating criticism. Other
forms of emotional abuse include confinement, such as locking a child in a dark
closet, and social isolation, such as denying a child friends.
Neglect
is considered the most common form of child abuse. Physical neglect involves a
failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. It can
also include inadequate supervision and a failure to protect a child from
danger. Emotional neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to meet a child’s basic
need for affection and comfort. Examples include behaving coldly towards a
child or allowing them to witness severe domestic abuse. Educational neglect
involves failing to enroll a child in school or frequently allowing them to
skip school.
In
the United States, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect reported that
in 1977, approximately 3 million children were reported as abused or neglected
to government agencies. However, many researchers believe that official
statistics do not accurately reflect the true prevalence of child abuse due to
varying definitions and the private nature of these acts. Professionals such as
teachers, daycare workers, pediatricians, and police officers may fail to
recognize or report abuse, and much abuse occurs in the privacy of a family’s
home.
The
risk of child abuse is often heightened by stress caused by social conditions
such as larger-than-average family size, the presence of a new baby or a
disabled family member, or the death of a family member. Many reported cases of
abuse come from families living in poverty, though it also occurs in
middle-class and wealthier families, albeit with less frequent reporting due to
various social factors.
Nationally,
in Nigeria, child abuse has been a longstanding issue, with several cases
reported across various states. However, the scope and seriousness of child
abuse in Nigeria are often underreported. The Nigerian government, through
agencies like the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has been
working to address these concerns through awareness campaigns and stricter
laws. Still, the full extent of child abuse in Nigeria remains difficult to
ascertain.
In
Jigawa State, the prevalence of child abuse is influenced by a range of
cultural, economic, and social factors. Poverty, illiteracy, and lack of
awareness about child protection laws contribute to the perpetuation of child
abuse. Many children in Jigawa suffer from neglect, physical abuse, and
exploitation, often due to a lack of resources and support systems for
families.
In
Dutse Local Government, the capital of Jigawa State, child abuse remains a
critical social issue. Instances of physical neglect and emotional abuse are
frequently reported, though many cases go unreported due to stigma and a lack
of trust in authorities. The community continues to struggle with the
implementation of child protection laws, and there is a pressing need for increased
awareness, education, and resources to address the issue effectively.
Adolescence,
defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the period from 10-19 years
of age, is a crucial stage of development. During this time, adolescents experience
significant physiological, biological, and intellectual transitions. It is a
period marked by the development of sexual identity, emerging sexual feelings,
and adjustments to cultural expectations. For adolescents to thrive, they must
accomplish developmental tasks such as establishing independence from the
family, adjusting to sexual maturation, developing a positive self-image,
forming healthy relationships, and preparing for a meaningful vocation.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLLM
A
1994 retrospective review of 1,526 studies on primary prevention of Child Abuse
found that only 30 studies were okay. 11 of which dealt with Physical Abuse;
and neglect. This means Primary prevention of child abuse such as depriving the
child of the basic children's rights such as right to life right to be
protected from indecent and inhuman treatment through sexual exploitation, drug
abuse, child labour among others affect the child's social development
Child
Abuse is observed to be more pronounced in children between the age bracket of
10 - 19 years which are of course referred to as Adolescents. By the end of
Adolescence, the child is expected to have been physically, socially,
emotionally and intellectually matured but when denied the necessary factors
which contribute to this expected maturity, his/her social development will be
definitely affected.
This
study is therefore designed to investigate the overall effect of child Abuse on
the academic and social development of Adolescents in some selected Secondary
Schools in Dutse Local Government Educational District.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
work will in no doubt be of use to the adolescent, students, academics,
policymakers and researchers in the following ways:
They
will be able to encourage themselves in their peer groups to demand for
adequate health care, good education and so on from parents, care-takers /
guardians, government.
They
will be able
to understand that
all children are members of
the same human family and that any form of discrimination is against their
dignity and integrity.
They
will be able to promote attitude of equality among peers irrespective of origin
both sex social political/religious beliefs, status and disability.
As
a way of protecting themselves against exploitation and inhuman treatment,
children should be able to report excessive child labour to appropriate
authorities, agencies and individuals, resist torture, should not get lured
into sexual exploitation including child marriage, that should be able to avoid
drug abuse, they should be able to try as much as possible to join campaign
enough to seek assistance from established agencies, individuals and religious
agencies when in difficult.
It
will also help in situations whereby some children are under especially
difficult circumstances like separation from parents and so on to reduce the
trauma of their situation and even adjust to normal and decent life. It will
also be significant to parents and teachers for it will give an insight into
some of the evils of child abuse.
1.4
RESEARCH OBJCTIVES
The research will be guided with the following
objectives;
- To investigate the influence of parents/guardians on the social
development of adolescents.
- To examine the effects of personal, social, and cultural factors on
the social development of adolescents.
- To assess the differences in outcomes between a child trained by
parents and one trained by a guardian.
- To explore the relationship between caregiving and a child's
mental/psychological development.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In
relation to the problem identified, answers were provided to the following
questions:
1 Is there any influence of
parents/guardians on the social development of adolescents
2. Is there any effect of complex combination
of personal, social and cultural factors on the social development of
Adolescent.
3 Is there any significant difference
between a child trained by his/her parents and the same child trained by a
guardian.
4. Is there any significant relationship
between caring for - a child and his/her mental/psychological development.
1.6 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The
study examined the causes and effects of child abuse among adolescent students
in some selected Secondary Schools in Dutse Local Government AREA.
The
study is also limited to the determination of the effect of child-abuse on academic performance and social development of
adolescents in Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State.
Due
to time and financial constraints, the research is restricted to two hundred
randomly selected students from ten selected Secondary Schools in the Urban and
Rural Area of Dutse Local Education District of Jigawa State. The research work
is also limited by the problem of inadequate materials/literature.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Terms
related to the study are defined as follows:
CHILD:
According to Ajayi (19136) A child is any human being below the age of (18)
eighteen years.
RIGHT:
According to Longman dictionary a right is what is or should be allowed by law,
it is also what is fair and good. Olayinka (1991) also defined a right as a
natural due, a moral claim and a legal entitlement.
CHILDREN'S RIGHT:
According to Encyclopedia (2005) children rights are child's survival,
Development and participation.
ADOLESCENT:
According to Motolani (2001) An Adolescent is a child between the ages of 10-19
years However the World Health Organization defines an Adolescent to be a child
between the age of 10-24 years.
CHILD ABUSE:
Encarta (2005) defines child abuse as an intentional act which harms the
physical, emotional, moral health and educational welfare of the child.
DEVELOPMENT:
Chinwe (2005) defines development as the progressive series of orderly,
coherent changes leading towards the goal of maturity, coherent changes leading
towards the goals of maturity. It is increase in ability to function. As a
child grows, he matures and develops at the same time.
GROWTH:
According to Chinwe (2005) is the physical aspect of development.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:
According to Chinwe (2005). The manner in which the Child becomes grad rally
adjusted in his patterns of relationship with and reaction to fellow men in
line with social patterns led social development Every social group has its own
pattern behaviour to which everybody must conform.
PHYSICAL ABUSE:
Physical abuse is the deliberate acts of violence to injure or even kill a
child (Gelles 1993).
SEXUAL ABUSE:
According to Chalk, Gibbons and Scarupa (2002). Sexual abuse can be said to be
the inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a child.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE:
Are the acts or the failure to act by parents or caretakers that have caused
serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders (Thomlison, 1997).
PHYSCIAL NEGLECT:
This is a situation whereby parents / guardians / caretakers of a child do not
provide adequate, food or clothing, appropriate medical care, supervision or
proper weather protection (heat or coats) for the child It also includes abandonment.
(Chalk, Gibbons and Scarupa 2002).
PERSONALITY:
Personality means the whole individual, his physique, temperament, appearance,
feeling, achievement, intelligence, the way the person relates himself to
others, what he wants to be and so on. (Chinwe 2005).
DELINQUENT BEHAVIOURS:
These are all sorts of behaviours committed by children or youths under the age
of 18 which if committed by adults would be considered crimes. Children within
this age bracket are believed not to have criminal intent to have committed
these offences. These behaviours by children are otherwise referred to as
juvenile crimes. Such behaviours may include truancy and parental disobedience
(Lynn and Victor 2005).
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