Project – CAUSES AND EFFECT OF SINGLE PARENTHOOD ON THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF PRIMARY PUPILS IN ALIMOSHO LGA LAGOS STATE

ABSTRACT

The research work investigated the Causes and effect of single Parenthood on the learning experience of primary pupils in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The research work employed the use of questionnaires in gathering data for analysis and it contained the following items: name of the respondents, school, age, sex, class, religion. Data is presented in tables and frequencies while percentage was used to analyse. From the analysis, children from single parents do lack affection, involved in delinquent behaviour and always hostile and aggressive, and do not perform well academically. And more so, single mother and father affect the children’s educational outcome. With the result obtained and fact finding highlight families and the causes of with whom children live, for both single mother and single father families divorce has more impacts on children’s educational achievement. In conclusion it was recommended that children from single parenthood should be encouraged on the three basic dimension of self-esteem namely sense of belonging, sense of worth and sense of competence. They need positive change for the overall adjustment. Also, parents should tolerate, accommodate, appreciate and understand each other in marriage so as to curb the effects on children’s future. Both parents should try to stay together for the sake of good upbringing of their children, whenever there is problem in the home, the couple should seek God’s direction and a good counsellor for help or otherwise, settle the problems between themselves amicably.

TITLE PAGE                                                            

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the study

1.2    Statement of the problem

1.3    Objective of the study

1.4    Research Questions

1.5    Research hypotheses

1.6    Significance of the study

1.7    Scope of the study

1.8    Limitation of the study

1.9    Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1    Review of concepts

2.2    Review of related literature

2.3    Review of Empirical studies

2.4    Theoretical Framework

2.5    Chapter Summary

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1    Research Design

3.2    Population of the study

3.3    Sample size determination

3.4    Sample size selection technique and procedure

3.5    Research Instrument and Administration

3.6    Method of data collection

3.7    Method of data analysis

3.8    Validity and Reliability of the study

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1    Data Presentation

4.2    Answering Research Questions

4.3    Test of Hypotheses

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1    Summary

5.2    Conclusion

5.3    Recommendation

References

Appendix

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

All over the world, and in Nigeria to be specific, education is accorded a place of pride because it is the means through which the culture of different societies is passed down through succeeding generations. Over the years the investigation of the factors that influence academic performance of pupils have attracted the interest and concern of teachers, counsellors, psychologist, researchers and schools administrators in Nigeria (Wiseman 1973; Sogbetun 1981). This is because of the public outcries concerning the low standard of education in the country. Imgoe (2002). One of the factors affecting low standard of education in the country is single parenthood which is affecting nationwide. Single parenthood can be seen as a situation whereby one of the parent is no longer in the union that produced the child. According to Oyedele (1995) it can also be seen as a situation whereby only one of the parent raises the child or children. Single-parenthood can be defined as when one out of two people who is responsible for the nurturing and child rearing is not available, and the work meant for two people, is now been  carried out by only one person. According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, single-parenting has been defined as a mother or father who looks after children on their own, without the other partner. Along with substantial prevalence of single parenthood, researchers in the United State and Western Europe have extensively examined consequences of growing up with a single parent and its negative association with children’s education. Although single parenthood is negatively associated with children’s educational outcomes in most western countries, recent comparative studies showed that the strength of the negative relationship varies significantly across countries (Hampden Thompson and Pong, 2005).

Compared to the large number of studies on single parenthood in western industrial countries and even in some developing countries, little research has addressed the issue in societies that have recently experienced automatic changes in family structure, especially the rapid increase in divorce rate in West Africa. Nigeria has experienced a rapid increase in divorce, which makes it important to examine the effect of single parenthood and its impacts on pupils learning experience and well-being. Murray (1985) sees divorce as a separation of the parent or if one of the parent is away from home for a long time through work, illness or imprisonment. Adenowo (1995) also says that divorce for definite purpose can be described as the act of formal dissolving of a marriage and the two parent reverts to the status of becoming single once again. This analysis becomes necessary because life in a single parent family can be stressful for both the child and the parent. Such families are faced with challenges of diminishing financial resources.

This study examines how children of single parent families fare in their educational outcomes. The relationship between single parenthood and children’s education may vary across societies depending on broad family and other social structures surrounding single parenthood. Examining relationships between family structure and children’s education in Nigeria; one of the “strong family” countries in which the rate of single-parent families has recently risen, may contribute to the understanding of the implication of rapid family change for children’s well-being.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Single parenthood as a school factor is a major determinant of the effectiveness of children’s education and this may influence pupils learning experience in the school. Therefore, problems and issues that might hamper the effective practice of education need to be studied with a view to eradicate them. One of such problems is single parenthood which has been a subject of multidimensional argument with regard to its effects on pupils learning experience. Therefore, this study seeks to provide empirical evidence on the influence of single parenthood on the learning experience of school pupils in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

1.3   AIM & OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to examine Causes and effect of single Parenthood on the learning experience of primary pupils in Alimosho LGA Lagos State. The purpose of the study are the following:

1. To identify and discuss the types of single-parent families.
2. To highlight the effect of single-parenthood on pupils learning experience.
3. To highlight the academic performances of different pupils from different single-parent families.
4. To highlight the challenges pupils from single parent families face in their learning experience.

1.4    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. To what extent does divorced single-father families affect the pupils’ learning experience?
2. Does widower single-father families affect the pupil’s learning experience?
3. To what extent does divorced single-mother families affect the pupil’s learning experience?
4. Does widowed single-mother families affect the pupil’s learning experience?
5. What is the difference in the learning experience between children from two-parent families and those from single-parent families?

1.5    RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

H₀: There is no significant relationship between single parenthood and pupil’s learning experience.

H₁: There is a significant relationship between single parenthood and pupil’s learning experience.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is expected that the result obtained from this study apart from identifying the effect of single-parenthood on pupils learning experience will also be of great value to curriculum planner’s and teachers. Since this study tends to look at the effect of single parenthood on pupils learning experience and the solutions to bring about positive changes in pupils academic performance. This study is also expected to draw the attention of educators, parent and government to need for single parenthood reduction through a decrease in divorce rate and increase in household income. Also, this study tends to give great relief to the parent who are either widows or widowers on the way to train their children in a right form for better future.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research work investigated the Causes and effect of single Parenthood on the learning experience of primary pupils in Alimosho LGA Lagos State.

1.8   LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 

This research work was carried out within Alimosho Local Government Area. The subjects of the study were limited to public school primary 5 and 6 pupils only. Since the study intends to focus on different single parent families from different schools, the problems the researcher faced were;

1. Financial problem
2. Inadequate time

1.9   DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Effects: This term refers to the outcomes, results, or consequences of a particular action, situation, or phenomenon. It can be positive or negative, intended or unintended.

Single Parenthood: This refers to a family structure where a child or children live with only one parent, either due to divorce, death, abandonment, or out-of-wedlock births. The parent could be the mother or the father. Single parenthood can have various effects on the child’s development and behavior.

Pupil: A pupil is a student or learner who is enrolled in an educational institution, particularly in primary and secondary schools. The term is often used to refer to young learners under the guidance of a teacher or tutor.

Learning Experience: This term refers to the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. It involves cognitive and emotional aspects, and it’s influenced by an individual’s subjective perception, the context, and the environment.

Primary School: This is the first stage of formal education following preschool and kindergarten. It’s also known as elementary school in some countries. Primary school usually caters to children aged 5 to 11 years old and covers basic subjects like reading, writing, and basic mathematics.

Project – CAUSES AND EFFECT OF SINGLE PARENTHOOD ON THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF PRIMARY PUPILS IN ALIMOSHO LGA LAGOS STATE