ABSTRACT  

The study investigated the Effects of Hawking Among Primary School Age Children in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Respondents included children and teachers drawn from six different schools. To carry out this research, five questions were formulated all derived from the literature review. Questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from sampled schools in Orlu Local Government Area. The responses were analyzed by the use of tables and percentages calculation. One major finding from this research project is that may primary school age children engage in hawking as part of their domestic choices. The study made it clear that hawking expose the primary school age children to danger and that parents should be aware of it as it is an abuse to the children

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1   Background of Study

1.2   Statement of Problems

1.3   Research Objectives

1.4   Research Question

1.5   Research Hypothesis  

1.6   Scope of Study

1.7   Significance of study

1.8   Limitation of study

1.9   Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO

2.0   Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

3.0   Research methodology

3.1   Research Design

3.2   Population of study

3.3   Sampling Design and Procedure

3.4   Data Collection Instrument

3.5   Administration of Data Collection Instrument

3.6   Methods of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0   Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1   Data Presentation 

4.2   Test of Hypothesis 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0   Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1   Summary

5.2   Conclusion

5.3    Recommendation

References

Questionnaire

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background
of the Study

        Hawking is the practice of carrying
goods from one place or corner of the street to another which also includes
motor parks. There are many occupations in Nigerians, these includes civil
services, farming trading and so on. All these occupations have their different
means for reaching their customers and consumers based on their environment.

        The trader who is among the largest of
all the occupational groups have different ways of reaching them will help them
to dispose both perishable and non-perishable goods. Some of the ways they have
devised to reach their consumers are through the medias, by roads, air and
rail. Most time, Hausa’s try is reach their customers by using mature animals
like camels and donkey is carry their goods from one market place to another.

        Due to regular sales by the traders of
different categories, it becomes necessary that permanent route has to be
established where the customers and consumers will conveniently go for their
purchases. Some of the traders who had no permanent structures to stay like
shops and shadier in the market preffered carrying their goods on the head from
one point to another.

        In no distant time, soon after the
Nigeria Civil War, the common practice of hawking spread downward like wildfire
until it reached all areas in Nigeria.
A lot of people embraced it because they felt it yielded them quick money. This
practice of hawking dose not only involve the adults. It also involved children
of primary school age. The parent of such children allow them to hawk such commodities
like orange, mangoes, Akara, groundnut and even pure water. Some kids are sent
out to hawk inorder to support the family. In some cases child hawking is seen
as a norm and nobody sees anything wrong in it. The parents hawked when they
were kids and claimed that their own parents hawked, so it is seen as a normal
business in the family.

        As a researcher, this hawking which is
one of the surest means of ensuring that commodities reach consumers would have
been good if it has not involved children of primary school age. The
involvement of primary school age children has created a lot of problems in the
families and society at large. It is child abuse.

        Therefore, it is with this effects that
instigated the researcher to carry out a research on the topic “the effects of
hawking among primary school age children” using Orlu Local Government Area as
a case study. 

Statement
of the Problem

        Since many parents have resorted to use
primary school age children to hawk inorder to make quick money without recognizing
the evil effects. Since it takes much of these children’s time exposing them to
doubtful characters and depriving them of regular attendance to school. It
reveals that it is not favourable to primary school age children.

        Although, it gives the customers quick
and cheap services and it makes the traders get ready cash. Above all, the
hawkers familianises with many homes and people. This attraction for quick
money induces the parents to involve their primary school age children.
Therefore, the researcher is carrying out this study to find out the effect
associated with hawking among primary school age children in Orlu Local
Government Area of Imo State and to proffer solutions.

Scope
of the Study

        The researcher’s work is directed to
study “The Effects of Hawking among Primary School Age Children in Orlu Local
Government of Imo State.

        Emphasis will be on the key words of
identifying the problems and finally the possible solutions. Based on this
assessment, conclusion will be drawn which relates to the danger associated
with this menace and the way out.

Purpose
of the Study

        The purpose of this research is to
findout the effects of hawking among primary age children in Orlu Local
Government Area of Imo State.

        Secondly, to know actually the reasons
why primary school age children engage in hawking.

        Thirdly, to findout whether hawking is
good for the children’s moral and intellectual upbringing.

        Fourthly, to know if hawking among the
children can be presented.

        Finally, to know if parents are aware
that hawking is child abuse.

Significance
of the Study

        The study is significant and useful to a
great extent that it will help to minimize the practice of hawking by primary
school age children.

        The researcher will highlight the
problems facing the primary school age children in the practice of hawking. The
study will help the parents to realize that it is their responsibility to care
and fend for their children. It will help the children to be more serious and
concentrate in their study thereby improving on their academic performance.

Research
Questions

        The researcher having stated the purpose
of the study has put forward the following research questions:

1.          
Does hawking have any
positive effects on children?

2.          
Why do primary school age
children engage in hawking?

3.          
Is hawking good for the
children’s moral and intellectual upbringing?

4.          
Can hawking among children be
prevented?

5.          
Are parents aware that
hawking is child abuse?

Definition
of Terms

        The following terms used in this should
be taken to mean the following:

Hawking:
To try to set things by going from one place to another asking people to buy.

Primary School:
A school for children between the ages of five and eleven prior to their
entering secondary school.

Parent:
A person’s father or mother.

Education:
A process of teaching, training and learning especially in schools or colleges
to improve knowledge and develop skills.

Child Abuse:
The crime of harming a child in a physicals, sexual emotional way.

Occupation:

The activity which one engages himself in order to
earn a living.