Influence of Child Abuse on Children Academic Development in Primary Schools

Influence of Child Abuse on Children Academic Development in Primary Schools

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

        Traditional African society has always placed a high premium on children. Other extended family members and even the whole community are noted to record several rituals and sacrifices to their ancestors if children are not forthcoming; after consummation of their ancestors if children are highly valued.

        Yet, in spite of the high value placed upon children, it is not uncommon to state that several children are placed on conditions that obviously limit their growth and development. Some are maltreated so much that the development of their talents is not only delayed but destroyed completely. Even in a family circle when a rusty relationship is allowed to degenerate into abuse, then there is much to worry about. Bukoye (2004) observed that the maltreatment of children is hardly a new phenomenon. It dated back to colonial times and even back to biblical times. During recent years, child maltreatment has had an increase in the public eyes and has its turn in various dimension or categories. According to Isamahand Okunola (2002), maltreatment of children now popularly recognized as child abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, a- neglect, emotional abuse as well as• gender discrimination. Each category, in turn, covers a range of behaviour. The maltreatment of children not only affects the children themselves but also affects the family in terms of making it dysfunctional. Child abuse is a social problem that affects million o children each year. Not only does child abuse has multiple societal repercussions, but can also be deduced that child abuse is the intentional omission of care or even killed.
        A child is abused if a recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver leads to physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation or any act or failure to act which involves imminent risk of serious harm (Khatris,. 2004) child abuse also cover failure to provide for the child’s basic needs. This is so because the child is highly dependent on an adult, so a failure to provide for his/her needs results in serious harm.

        Any form of child abuse is detrimental to the overall development of the child. The effect may be varied in degree or the seriousness of the problem and the difficulties it causes depending upon such factors as:

 i)     Age of the abused child even killed.

ii)      The duration of the abuse

iii)     The abusive person.

iv)     The ability of the abused child to share his/her experiences
v)     The abused child’s social environment

vi)     Whether the abuse involves physical, humiliation or violence.

(vii)   The cultural context of the abuse

        Factors that influence the outcome of any abuse
are complex and varied. These factors have attendant consequences upon children physically, societal and psychologically. Some are more devastating than others. Some children, in the end, may suffer trauma which builds up a negative impact upon their educational pursuit. Against this backdrop, it, therefore, becomes crucial to look into the influence of child abuse on the academic development of children in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

        In Nigeria in particular, child abuse is commonly expressed in form of either child labour or excessive corporal punishment in the name of discipline. In another dimension, many children are compelled to wake up as early as 3 0’clock in the morning to do all sorts of domestic chores such as fetching water, processing wares for the market, street hawking even during school hours. These are crimes against children and humanity in general.

        Children are misused daily, in spite of the free and compulsory education embarked upon by Akwa Ibom State Government. It is ugly to observe that many children still resort to stay with their “uncles” in town where they persistently engaged in street trading, manual labour in a bid to generate income to such families. Many of them do experience child abuse a develop pet aversion towards education and learning in particular. These children are noted for a high degree
of truancy and poor study habits. It is indeed pertinent to infer that children who are victims of abuse may, in turn, affect such maltreatment if the chance arises In the near future thereby continuing the circle of child abuse.

        Growth and development of an individual start from the fetus through infancy to childhood and finally to adulthood. If the foundation for growth and development is not properly laid, there is retardation and the child may be frustrated and loose direction.
        The problem of this study is, therefore, to suit of a broken home. Many are deprived of food, thing, and care. They generally have a bleak future abuse investigate the influence of child abuse on the educational development of children in Oruk Anam Government Area.

1.3    Purpose of the Study

        Specifically, the objectives of the study are to:

1.     Access the effect of child labour on children’s academic attainments,
2.     Examine the relationship between physical abuse and the attitude         of students towards academic programmes and,

3.     Identify the effect of sexual abuse of children on their attitude to academic programmes.

1.4 Significance of the Study

        The future of society depends wholeheartedly on children. This connotes that a society where children are neglected let alone abused is facing the threat of eventual extinct.

        This will identify some social adjustment problems in our school settings with regards to child abuse. The study will help school counselors, special educators, teachers, and psychotherapist to identify the likelihood to social maladjustment of students arising from several aspects of child abuse occasions in our various homes across the country.
        Findings from this work will sensitive government to
the living conditions of her citizens. An effort will be made to alleviate poverty provide employment opportunities and encouragement of sound educations to help ward off this evil against our dear children.

        The workshop could be organized on the effects of child
abuse based on the findings of this study thereby promoting
the education of the masses on the dangers of child abuse.

        Finally, this research will stimulate further relevant researchers in this area.

1.5   Research Questions

        1.     Does child labour significantly relate to the attitude of children towards academic attainment?

2.     Is there any relationship between the physical abuse of children and attitude towards academic programmes?
3.     How does sexual abuse affect children educational development?

1.6   Research Hypotheses

1.       There is no significant relationship between child labour and children’s attitude of academic attainment.

2.       There is a significant relationship between physical abuse and children’s attitude towards academic programmes.

3.    There is not a significant effect of sexual abuse on children’s interest and towards academic programmes.

1.7   Delimitation of the Study

        This study is restricted to children of 6-16 years of age since they are mostly affected by the incidence of child labor and are quite below the age of 18. The study also limits itself to the categories of child abuse which include child labour physical abuse, emotional and sexual abuse.

1.8   Limitation of the Study

                Operational definitions of the terms used in the study
        are provided below:

1.     Child Abuse: This is used to refer to the
        influencing of physical injuries on the child. It is as
        well used to refer to the sexual exploitation of a child

2.     Child labour: Any physical engagement of the child either paid or unpaid, directed to alleviate adult burden to make a living for himself help the adult make a living.    These include street vending scavenging and loading.

3.  Sexual Abuse: Parent or caregiver involvement in inappropriate sexual behaviour with the child, whether or not the behaviour involves intercourse.