Family Instability Implication For Child Upbringing
(A Case Study Of Umuchatu Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area Enugu State)
Family instability, characterized by frequent changes or disruptions in familial structures and dynamics, holds profound implications for child upbringing. The fragility of family bonds and the unpredictable shifts in living arrangements can significantly impact a child’s emotional well-being and overall development. The uncertainties associated with family instability can manifest in heightened stress levels, affecting the child’s ability to form secure attachments and cultivate a sense of stability. This instability may hinder the establishment of a nurturing environment crucial for fostering cognitive and social skills. Moreover, the lack of consistent parental presence can impede the transmission of essential values and moral guidance. Children navigating through family instability may encounter challenges in building resilience and adapting to changing circumstances. The ramifications extend beyond the immediate familial context, influencing the child’s interactions within broader social spheres. The delicate balance required for optimal child upbringing becomes disrupted, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of family instability on a child’s holistic development.
The topic of this study is the cause of family instability and its effects on children in Umuchiatu Obe, Nkanu West Local Government Area Enugu State. The purpose of the study was to find out the causes of family, instability and its effects on
children.
This is survey research questionnaire was used as the main instrument of data collection. The population of the study was 600. The researcher selected 100 people to form the sample size of the study.
The mode of selection was through convenient they are techniques, all data collected from following data findings were made family instability was caused by infidelity, poverty intolerance, peer group, influence, alcoholism.
Children from unstable families are delinquent they are emotionally disturbed, they are more stress prone, there are less interested in academic researcher recommends that couple should learn to tolerate each other shortcomings bearing in mind that human beings are not perfect.
They should join hands to discipline and train children though exemplary life. Internal disputes should be settled internally.
Title Page
Certificate
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table Of Content
Chapter One
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background Of The Study
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
1.3 Purpose Of The Study
1.4 Scope Of The Study
1.5 Research Question
1.6 Significance Of The Study
Chapter Two
2.0 Review Of Related Literature
2.1 Family Instability
2.2 Cases Of Family Instability
2.3 Solutions To Family Instability
Chapter Three
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area Of Study
3.3 Population Of The Study
3.4 Sample And Sampling Procedure
3.5 Instrument For Data Collection
3.6 Validation Of Instrument
3.7 Instrument For Data Analysis
Chapter Four
4.0 Presentation And Analysis Of Data
4.1 Table1: What Is Family Instability?
4.2 Table2: What Are Cause Of Family Instability?
4.3 Table3: What Are Effects Of Family Instability?
4.4 Table4: What Are The Solutions To Family Instability?
Chapter Five
5.0 Discussion, Conclusion And Recommendation
5.1 Discussion Of The Result
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Introduction
Background of Study
A family can be recognized as a unit of people who have agreed to live together as father, mother and children. It is a single protective umbrella in the wider society.
As an umbrella it protects, covers or shield it members from the buffeting characteristics of a wider society. It is an institution that protects, covers, shield and nurture it members.
Nwobi (1996) family members are important to each other and offer each other love and support.
The family protects its members from exeternal attach, by proving food, clothes shelter and care. The young ones grow to trust the family as a place of peace and comfort sharing their problem with the family member than outsiders. This is because family members respect and love each other and would like to keep their secret. It is not ideal for family member to expose each other secret; they are supposed to bear each other burden.
Chukwuemeka (1999) defined family as a set of people related by blood, marriage or some other agreed upon relationship or adoption who shares the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for the members.
Nwobi (1997) defined family instability as a situation where the family knows no peace poor structure and organization, emotional separation of members and poor relationship with relation in-laws.
Josh billings (2008) defined upbringing children as the rearing of children, especially the care love and guidance given by parents.
It is the way that your parents care for you and teach you behave when growing up.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
However, in recent time, it has been observed that family instability I Nigeria has increased especially in Umuchiatu, Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area Enugu State.
This phenomenon has resulted into various social problems as a result of unchecked effects by the social welfare, government, and individual themselves. Children brought up in such homes encounter problems moving from mother to father in order meet their needs and when they cannot cope with the situation they indulge in various social vices like truancy, robbery, stealing, drug trafficking, prostitution and other socially vices.
These normally affect the society as a whole because family is the nucleus of the bedrock of the society.
Why am interested in this topic is to enable me to know the cause of family instability, as a newly married woman when it occurs in my family or around me, I will advice them and bring solution to their problem.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to investigate family instability , implication for child upbringing in Umuchiatu Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area. Specifically the study will investigate:
1. The causes of family instability in Umuchiatu Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State.
2. Identify the effects of family instability on children in Umuchiatu Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State
3. The likely solution to family instability in Umuchiate Obe Nkanu Local Government Area, Enugu State.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope was focused to the family instability; implication
for child upbringing. In Umuchiatu Obe Nkanu Local
Government Area, Enugu State.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study would be of great important to many distressed
families, intending couples intellectual community, welfare
officers, parents and society at large.
The study will help distressed families to know or root of
their problems and how to handle or solve them.
It will also make couple in Nigeria especially in Umuchiatu, Obe Nkanu West to take and nurture their families and also bear in mind that family makes the children to suffer.
This study would encourage parents to try as much as possible to create a peaceful and loving home for the benefit of their children’s education social and psychological lives
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The researcher formulated the following research questions to guide the study.
i. What are the causes of family instability in Umuchiatu Obe Nkanu West Local Government Enugu State?
ii. What are the effects of family instability on upbringing children in Umuchiatu, obe Nkanu West Local Government Area Enugu State?
iii. What are thr lkelysolutions to family instability in Umuchiatu, Obe Nkanu West Local Government Area Enugu State?
iv. Also bear in mind that family instability makes the children to suffer.
v. This study would encourage parents to try as much as possible to create a peaceful and loving home for the benefit of their children’s education social and psychological lives.
vi. The study would expose the problems and devastating effects on the family to the society, it will also help to maintain peace and stability in society because when our families are stable and our society will be paradise on earth.
The beneficial of this study are the intending couples, newly married couple, and the distressed families in intellectual community’s welfare officers, parents and society at large.
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Family Instability Implication For Child Upbringing:
Family instability can have significant implications for child upbringing. Family instability can take various forms, such as divorce, separation, frequent moves, financial instability, and changes in caregivers. These disruptions can impact a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development in several ways:
- Emotional Impact:
- Anxiety and Stress: Children may experience increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the uncertainty and unpredictability of their family situation.
- Depression: Prolonged family instability can contribute to feelings of sadness and depression in children.
- Low Self-esteem: The instability can affect a child’s sense of self-worth, leading to lower self-esteem.
- Behavioral Issues:
- Aggression: Some children may manifest their distress through aggressive behavior, both at home and at school.
- Rebellion: Adolescents, in particular, might rebel against authority figures or engage in risky behaviors as a way to cope with family instability.
- Academic Problems: Family instability can disrupt a child’s concentration and focus on schoolwork, leading to academic underperformance.
- Social Relationships:
- Difficulty Forming Attachments: Children who experience frequent changes in caregivers or family dynamics may have trouble forming secure attachments, which can affect their relationships throughout life.
- Isolation: Family instability can lead to social isolation as children may feel embarrassed or different from their peers.
- Cognitive Development:
- Reduced Cognitive Skills: The chronic stress associated with family instability can impair cognitive development, potentially leading to learning difficulties.
- Poor Decision-Making: Children exposed to family instability may struggle with making effective decisions, as they may not have stable role models or consistent guidance.
- Long-term Effects:
- Inter-generational Patterns: Family instability can sometimes perpetuate across generations, as children who grow up in unstable environments may struggle to establish stable families themselves.
- Health Outcomes: Some research suggests that children who experience family instability may face long-term health issues, including a higher risk of chronic illnesses and mental health disorders.
It’s important to note that the effects of family instability can vary widely depending on factors such as the child’s age, temperament, and the level of support and coping mechanisms available to them. Supportive interventions, including therapy, counseling, and access to stable adults or caregivers, can mitigate some of the negative impacts of family instability.
Efforts to maintain stable family environments, such as co-parenting agreements after divorce, seeking counseling, and providing emotional support to children during times of instability, can help minimize the negative consequences on child upbringing. Additionally, public policies and community programs that address family stability and support children and parents in challenging circumstances can make a significant difference in children’s lives.