ABSTRACT
The study examined the effect of divorce on the academic
achievement of students. The design of this study was “Survey type. Data were
collected from five schools and were randomly selected from Olorunda local
government area of Osun State. A total number of Hundred (100) questionnaire
were administered to Female and Male student of different age-grades, JSS
2-JSS3 were used as a sample. Questionnaire was closed ended likert-type
technique that expressed degree of agreement or disagreement with the supplied
statement. This research project finds out the negative effects of divorce on
the students behaviour and academic achievement. Data was analyzed using simple
percentage. Findings from the study according to the research showed that
misunderstanding between husband and wife could lead to divorce; lack of
parental advice during adolescent might leads to student poor academic
achievement; student from the amicable settle of dispute or misunderstanding
among the couple will lead to fewer cased of divorce in the society; keeping
distance from the various in-laws will reduce misunderstand and divorce among
couples. Finally, the researcher recommended that in order to discourage the
habit of divorce in the society, spouse for advised to keep fathers and
mother-in-laws brothers and sister-in-laws should learn to talk it over with
themselves in order to hold firmly unto their marriage.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
1.2 Types
of Marriage
1.3 Statement
of the Problem
1.4 Purpose
of the Study
1.5 Research
Question
1.6 Significant
of the Study
1.7 Scope
of the Study
1.8 Definition
of Terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical
Framework
2.2 Concept
of Marriage
2.2.1 Type
of Marriage
2.2.2 Meaning
of Family
2.2.3 Types
of Family
2.3 Concept
of Divorce
2.3.1 Types
of Divorce
2.3.2 Stages
of Divorce
2.3.3 Causes
of Divorces
2.3.4 Effects
of Divorce in the Society
2.4 Impact
of Divorce on the Parents
2.4.2 Impact
of Divorce on the Academic Achievement of Students
2.5 Solution
to Divorce
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research
Design
3.2 Population
3.3 Sample
and Sampling Techniques
3.4 Research
Instrument
3.5 Validation
of Research Instrument
3.6 Reliability
of the Instrument
3.7 Method
of Data Collection
3.8 Method
of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data
Analysis
4.1 Discussion
of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
Marriage is universal institution known
all over the world. It is a legal union of a man and a woman. Marriage can also
be called matrimony or Wedlock. It is a socially or recognized union or legal
contract between spouses that established right and obligations between each
other, their children their in-law and their relatives. Marriage was designed
by God to meet the problem of loneliness marriage is meant to last till death,
even after death because some of the surviving children of the spouses still
retain the name of their dead parent. (Hargreaves 2002). Divorce is the legal
procedure by which marriage can be formally ended. Divorce according to
Wadlerstain (2003) is the termination of a re-organizing of the legal duties
and responsibilities of marriage thus dissolving the bonds of matrimony between
a married couple under the rule of law of the particular country and/or state.
Oxford learners dictionary (2001) defines divorces as the legal ending of a marriage.
Divorce is now
a common situation whereby couples no longer finds their union compatible and
consequently separate. In most cases, student from this type of home suffer a
great set back. A situation where either of the parents is not with their
children, many affect the upbringing of the children; most children born by divorce
couple as a result of disjointed training
of trouble parents (Owusu 2007). It is important to remember that, as divorces
rates continue to increase, so does the likelihood that children of divorced
parents may have greater risk adjusting in areas of social relations, self
concept, bahaviour/conduct and psychological adjustment; according to Amanto
and Keith (cited in vandervalk 2005).
Hargreaves (2000)
opined that children from one parents families may have more difficulties
adapting their behaviours to teacher expectation than student from two parents
household. Teacher reported negative behavioural changes in two thirds of the
student after divorce. These changes consisted of an increase in impatience, in
attentiveness, unhappiness, lack of concentration are noticed by their teachers.
According to Wallerstein and Corbin cited in Dykeman (2003), when children experience
divorce, they may also experience a significant impact upon their school
performance. Some children may experience Long-lasting emotional effect into
their adulthood that damage their ability to preserve relationship H
“Hatherington” (cited in Hargreaves, 2001) children may experience mood change
anger and frustration while at school and children from divorcedparent may be
more disorderly in class, have less proficiency in study habits and be absent
more frequently than children from two parents, families. Amato (Cited in Hargreaves
2009) suggested that children in one parent family may have more household to
their stress level than children from two parent families. The result of
parental divorce shapes children emotionally and may impact self-esteem, future
relationships, dating and marriage (Simons cited in Dykeman 2003).
Also
Hetherington (cited in Hargreaves 2001), indicated children who have behaviour
problems in the classroom tend to show less quality work in the class-room and
have more unfinished home-work assignment. Hetherington further found children
in a single-parent family may be likely to underachieve due to the family.
Divorce is one
of the most terrible thing that have affected the life of many children in our
society today, even parents also will be seen in the life of those couple that
are not happily married, they will be emotionally unstable isolated, lack of
self confidence and emotionally self sufficient. Therefore, this project
attempt to examined the causes of divorce in contemporary family and it effect
on academic in achievement of student who oftentimes as a possible alternative
strategies at solving this problem to enhance unity and harmony in the
institution of marriage.
1.2 Types of Marriage
There are four known types of marriage.
Marriage according to Fadeiye (2005).
Include:
·
Traditional Marriage: This is sometimes called customary
marriage. This type of marriage has been existence before the advent of
Europeans in Africa. Traditional marriage in Nigeria varies from one ethnic
group to another. Among the Kanuri ethnic group particularly in Borno and
Adamawa States. Traditional form of marriage include marriage, woman marriage,
coursing marriage, and gift marriage. In Yoruba land in the old days for
instance, traditional marriage was essentially polygamous because of
agricultural practice. Again accumulation of wives was regarded as a way of
assessing the social prestige of an average Yoruba man. The same practice is
applicable to many other Nigerian ethnicgrouped (Fadeiye 2005). Traditional
marriage especially in Yoruba land does not take place without adequate
preparation. When a man reaches the age of puberty, the parent wouldengage the services of an intermediary
called (a laring in Yoruba language to carry out a thorough investigation
regarding the family of the would be bride of their son. If the outcome of the
investigations is satisfactory, the relatives of the bridegroom would approach
the parent of the would be bride through an intermediary and the contact is
done early in the morning. The parent of the bride would also carry out a
similar investigations concerning the family of the bridegroom. Many other steps
are take before marriage takes place like Isihun (meaning opening of the voice)
by which the parent of the bride accept to give their daughter to the
bridegroom. The Idana (carrying the bride wealth materials to the marriage
ceremony. Yoruba custom does not expect the husband to be at home during the wife’s
arrived at her husband’s house. On getting to the compound of the feet of the
wife and she will be carried into the husband’s house. The lifting of the bride
into the house of her husband is called Igbeyawo in Yoruba language. In some
customs in Nigeria including that of the Yoruba young girls may be bet rothed
before puberty and virginity is held in high esteem. (Sobola & Lijadu
2011).
·
Court Marriage or Ordinance Marriage: This type of marriage is foreign. It
was introduce by the Europeans. Such as marriage take place in the registry of
a court of law. The bride and bridegroom must be above 18 years old and if they
are under the age of 18 years, their parent must be consent to the marriage
before it become legal. The couple must file a notice of 21 days before the
marriage is contracted. Under ordinance marriage, neither the husband nor the
wife is allowed to remarry or marry other person when both of them are still
alive and the former marriage has not been dissolved. Whoever does that commits
bigamy which is punishable under the law (Sobola & Lijadu 2011)
·
Christian Marriage: In this type of marriage, the man and
the woman are jointed together as husband and wife by a pastor or a reverend
father. Christian marriage was introduce by European missionaries. The marriage
ceremony takes place in a church, and it involves public exchange of marital
vows between the man and the woman, after which they both of sign the wedding
rings assymbols of love and trust (Sobola and Lijadu 2011).
·
Islamic or MuslimMarriage: This type of marriage was introduced
into Nigeria, by the Arabs. This type of marriage is conducted according to
Islamic tenets. The holy Quran gives certain conditions to be fulfilled before
such as a marriage could be authentic. The girl to be married must give her
consent, dowry must be paid, parent and guardians must sanction the marriage
and the marriage must be publicized. The Imam or learned Mallam conducts the
ceremony according to the tent of the Holy Quran and Hadith. Muslim marriage is
polygamous in natures as it permits a man to marry up to four wives on the
condition that, he shall treat them fairly and equally with regard to feeding,
clothing and love (Sobalola and Lijadu 2011).
1.3 Statement
of the Problem
The impact of
parents on children cannot be over emphasized. However, in Nigeria today it has
been observed that, there are high increase of divorce in modern society and
this is caused by the basis of love and co-operation that has being removed
between the couples for different reason.
This has led
the researchers to embark on this with the view to find the root causes of
these problem.
Throughout the
world, marriage is regarded as a moment of celebration and a milestone in adult
life. Sadly, in this form discussion makes clear; the practice of early
marriage gives no such causes for celebration. All too often the imposition of
a marriage partner upon a child means that a girls or boy’s childhood is cut
short and their fundamental rights are compromised. We have encountered the
phenomena of childhood is cut short and there fundamental right are compromise.
We have uncounted the phenomena of child marriage and early marriage on
numerous occasion. While much of the impact remain hidden, it absolutely clear that
millions of children and young people particularly girls suffer negative
consequence.
This discussion
looks at the reason for the perpetuation of early marriage, and its possible
increase in population under stress.
1.4 Purpose
of the Study
The purpose of
this study is to:
Find out the effect of divorce on the academic achievement
of students in Nigeria society
1. Examine the causes of divorce after
marriage
2. Find out the attitude of couple toward
marriage
3. Determine the role of parents in
marriage
4. It is also to expose the causes of divorce
after marriage so that the couple will understand the effects of divorce, in
order to live in peace and harmony.
5. This study will also make the couple understand
that, marriage is not what they can take with levity hand in order to avoid
divorce.
1.5 Research
Question
1. What are the possible causes of
divorce?
2. What is the level of effect on academic
achievement of student?
3. What is the attitude of the parent
towards children who are left after divorce?
4. What are the solution t the causes of
divorce?
1.6 Significant
of the Study
i.
1this
research work is carrying out in order to expose the young couple to the effect
of divorce on the academic achievement of children.
ii.
It
will also enlighten those who have not married to know how to live in peace and
harmony when they get married in order to avoid divorce.
iii.
It
will be a source of information for couples and also be a basis for further
research
1.7 Scope
of the Study
The research
study focuses on the effect of divorce on the academic achievement of student
in some selected school in Olorunda Local government of Osun State and the
schools is made up of St Mark Commercial School, Osogbo, Lagunle High School,
Oba-oke, C.A.C. Grammar School, Gbonmi, St. James Grammar School, Osogbo and
Unity School, Osogbo.
1.8 Definition
of Terms
Divorce: Marriage
Instability/permanent break down of marriage
Academic: Relating
to schools or connected with studying and thinking not with practical
Achievement: Something that you did or get after
planning and working to make it happen, and that
therefore gives you a feeling of satisfaction.
Student: A
person who is studying at a school college or university.
Marriage:Marriage
is the formal of a man and a woman as husband and wife
Family: Family
is the basic units of society which arises from marriage