THE EFFECT OF POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGE ON EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF A CHILD A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SCHOOLS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to attempt to find the role Polygamous play in the performance of a child. This question has raised other questions for varying reasons. And scholars in education and psychology have attempted to proffer a solution in this regard which would lead to good performance of the child educationally. To help solve this question some statement were drawn up such as; 1. In a polygamous home education of the child is not often given top priority. 2. Having many children in a polygamous home affects the educational prospect of the child. 3. In polygamous homes parental motivation and supervision are lacking the methodology of this study shows statistics comprehension of the research based on the data collected. Data collected were analyzed with the instrument of a percentage. The last chapter is a summary of the work conclusion and recommendations of the project. From the findings, some recommendations were made such as; 1. It is recommended that people should be practicing monogamy. Even if polygamous is to be practiced. It should be for the wealth group who have the needed recourse to career for the well being of individual family 2. On the part of he government, the public should be enlightened at regular intervals on how to live happily in a family. Government should also make people to be aware of the implication of polygamous system of marriage.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

There are many shades of interest in Nigeria due to different tribes, states, towns and villages that makes up the country. Every individual has certain interest of needs both in material and emotional. The different interest gives rise to the different type of marriage that abounds in Nigeria. The types of marriage found in Nigeria are polygamous, monogamy extended family to mention a few. This indulgence has to do with the needs and status of the individual. This study is prompted by the practice of polygamous in this country and its effect on the educational performance of a child. Polygamous marriage is a system of marriage in which a man marries more than one wife at a time. The number of wives which ranges from two to many or may not depend on the status. Religious and economic capability of the man. This form of marriage was given rise to what sociologists often refer to as the extended family. Thus Bell and Vogal {1980} define extended family as any grouping broader than the nuclear family which is related by descent marriage of adoption. This is a common practice in Nigeria the varying structure of any family from society to society has brought this practice. In the past polygamous marriage system was practice in Nigeria because the main occupation was farming.

According to Hans Hasabaun (1976) some of the contemporary reasons bought forward in support of polygamous are as follows; a) Where woman still have to bear the burden of work in compound and field thee polygamous is oen regarded as a help. b) Polygamous is further thought to be a solution when tradition calls for a longer period abstain from sexual relationship during breast feeding. c) Childlessness or the value of having many children in general d) Polygamous takes case of surplus of women, that is prevents prostitution given unmarried woman protection and new homes for widows. e) Polygamous is status symbol However, due to the level of technological advancement and he need to give educational training to children the polygamous. It is a prestigious club for only those who are fit in view of the fact that the polygamous structure has not help in steaming the astronomical population of Nigeria with its attendant problems {evil} such as children juvenile delinquency and other known child – crimes. The question is then asked, has it anything to do with children from the nuclear family or children from the polygamous family. Thus children from polygamous family have not faired better in their educational performance because of the issue raised above which range from lack of inadequate instructional materials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

This research will look into problems caused as a result of polygamous life style in Oredo Local Government Area.

ASSUMPTIONS

The research assumes that polygamous system of marriage as a result of rivalry among mates and members of the family. It is also assumed as well that most parents in Oredo local government Area do not know the problems associated with polygamous system of marriage.