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 trafficking 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 traffic, 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 trafficking 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 cannot abuse nor traffic their children.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Scope and Limitation of Study
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Causes of Child Abuse
2.3 State of a Child
2.4 Forms of Child Abuse and Neglect
2.5 Child Neglect
2.6 Health Effects of Child Trafficking
2.7 The Impact of Child Abuse on the Victim
2.8 The Impact of Child Abuse on the Society
2.9 Rights of the Child
2.10 Theoretical Frame of Reference
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Population of Study
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection
3.5 Method of Data Analysis
3.6 Statistical Techniques used in Analysis of the Data
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Demographic Data of Respondents
4.3 Major Findings
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 The Role of Social Workers in the Ameliorating
Child Abuse in the Nigerian Society
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The concepts of child abuse and child trafficking 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 trafficking the action or practice of illegally procuring and relocating children 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 trafficking on the individual, families and the society. The specific objectives are:
i) Determine the impact of child abuse and trafficking on the child.
ii) Determine the relationship between child abuse, child trafficking 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 trafficking.
v) Make appropriate recommendations to the government.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
Child abuse and child trafficking 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.