INTRODUCTION

Any action by a parent, caregiver, or other adult that results in a children’s physical or mental impairment is considered child abuse. It is important to note that the global epidemic of child abuse has long-lasting effects. Most Nigerian families are unaware of the negative effects that their abusive activities have on their children’s development (Rex, 2020). This demonstrates a lack of understanding of the reality that children are gifts from God, cherished possessions, the foundation of society, potential leaders, and the most important factor in ensuring the continuation of human civilization (Ede & Kalu, 2018). According to Onwe (2014), children are vulnerable to being influenced by customs, extreme poverty, religiously motivated violence, and unacceptable economic conditions. Their small stature and limited mental capabilities make them more susceptible to danger than other people. It is important to point out that it is customary practice for low-income families in Nigeria to hand off their children to relatives who are better able to provide for them  (Orakwe, 2019). This behavior on the part of parents is done with the children’s welfare in mind and occasioned by the parent’s standard of living.  Sequel to the foregoing, this is a well-established synthesis of cultural customs and internal trafficking of children. In addition to this, relatives frequently employ young children as domestic servants and subject them on a regular basis to verbal or physical abuse.

Nigeria, which has the largest population in Africa, also has the highest number of child brides compared to other countries in the continent (Ajakaye, 2016; GIRLS NOT BRIDES, 2020). The violation of children’s basic rights is symbolized by the practice of child marriage (Olusegun & Idowu, 2016). Many youngsters in Nigeria are forced to work, and others are forced to live on the streets and survive through begging (Nte, Eke, & Igbanibo, 2010). Because of this, they put themselves at danger of being subjected to sexual harassment at the hands of those without morals. It is despicable that many instances of child abuse in Nigeria go unreported, despite the prevalence of the problem in that country. The cultural justification of some forms of abuse that are tied to cultural traditions and the inability of children to speak about previous experiences of abuse both contribute to the problem of underreporting. Because they do not trust the Nigerian Police Force, many parents are reluctant to report crimes against their children.

The law in Nigeria protects the rights of children and places a high value on upholding such rights. In a similar vein, the legislation outlines the punishments that are to be handed out to adults who exploit children or try to exert a negative influence on them. The law aims to put an end to violence against children while also establishing the rights and responsibilities of Nigerian children (Onibokun, 2014). Sadly, many citizens are still unaware of the legal position regarding child abuse, and many offenders have not been prosecuted. The ramifications of child maltreatment are vast and adversely harm a child’s development.

CONCEPTUAL DISCOURSE

CHILD

According to section 277 of the Child Rights Act of 2003, a child is any person below the age of 18. Put differently, a child is anyone who has not reached the age of 18 (Ede & Kalu, 2018).

CHILD ABUSE

There are numerous definitions of child abuse, some of which are affected by cultural practices. Child abuse refers to actions of commission and omission by parents and caregivers that result in actual or threatened harm to a child (McCoy & Keen, 2013). Accordingly, it implies various forms of physical, psychological ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, or other exploitation, ensuing in actual or potential harm to the survival, health development, or dignity of a child (World Health Organization [WHO], 1999). Similarly, Alokan (2010) suggests that child abuse is any sort of behavior that neglects the child and inflicts harm might have a negative impact on the child’s development.

TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE

Physical Abuse

It is essential to note that there is no unanimity regarding the definition and characteristics of physical abuse. According to the World Health Organization (1999), physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force against a child that causes or has a high possibility of causing harm to the child’s health, development, dignity, or survival. This includes kicking, beating, burning, strangulation, shaking, and hitting. Physical abuse does not occur in isolation, but rather as part of a pattern of behaviors that includes authoritarian control and a lack of parental affection.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse of children is a worldwide problem that affects children of different classes, religions, and races (Lisa, 2011). When an adult or older teen uses a child for sexual pleasure. This means tricking or forcing a child to do sexual acts for the perpetrators’ own sexual pleasure and financial gain. Child sexual abuse includes touching a child’s private parts, forcing two or more children to do any kind of sexual activity together, or using a child in pornography (Theoklitou et al., 2011). Sexual assault against children traumatizes them. Frequently, these children are unable to overcome the trauma, which drastically impacts their lives. Similarly, due to their undeveloped immune systems, sexually abused children are more susceptible to sexually transmitted illnesses (Thornton & Veenema, 2015). Moreover, children who suffer such heinous acts tend to perform poorly in school and to isolate themselves from their friends. It has a negative effect on the socialization of a child. Sexual abuse of minors extends beyond physical contact between the offender and the victim. It may consist of indecent text messages, phone calls, swapping nudes, masturbating in front of a minor, and other behaviors.

Child Marriage

Child marriage is a worldwide problem that is strongly founded in cultural norms and has persisted because people hold these practices in high regard (Ede & Kalu, 2018). According to Onwe (2014), child marriage is more prevalent in the northern part of Nigeria than in the south, and it primarily affects girls. Regrettably, some children whose rights are abused may no longer be bothered because they have adapted to a life of abuse. There have been a number of instances where the girl child has been engaged to a man of the same age as her father (Ede & Kalu, 2018). Child marriage exposes girls to diseases and violence. Some of these females become pregnant at a young age and die or endure serious disabilities during childbirth. The victims of child marriage live a life of trauma, have low academic performance, and frequently cut themselves off from male relationships.

Psychological Abuse

It entails establishing psychological deficits in a child’s development through actions like yelling, harsh criticism, and the denigration of the child’s personality (Theoklitou et al, 2011). Psychological maltreatment of children is detrimental to their health. Most parents and guardians use abusive language to correct their children. This activity is cultural in a large degree. Children who encounter this may withdraw themselves from their abusers or respond verbally or violently to their abusers. Consequently, these children may feel inferior and develop depression over time. Abused youngsters may get despondent and commit suicide.

Child Neglect

Child neglect refers to the inability of parents or other responsible parties to provide a child with enough food, clothes, shelter, medical care, and safety. This implicitly endangers the child’s safety and wellbeing. This is widespread in Nigeria due to poor poverty. Consequently, many children are neglected due to their parents’ or guardians’ standard of living. Children that are neglected may turn to drugs and other vices. Furthermore, they are easily manipulated by unscrupulous individuals. It is crucial to recognize that some children are ignored because they are viewed as harbingers of doom.

Child Labor

Child labor refers to any work that robs children of their youth, dignity, and potential, and is detrimental to their intellectual and physical development (Orakwe, 2019). Typical examples include street begging, hawking, cleaning automobiles, and carrying heavy products in the marketplace. According to Ede and Kalu (2018), children in Eastern and Western Nigeria may attend school in the morning and afternoon, and then sell items after school. Others, though, sell throughout the day. It is vital to note that these children’s earnings are typically given to their guardians. Some children are employed as bus conductors, apprentice mechanics, and hairstylists.

Female Genital Mutilation

This is the non-medical partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or harm to the female genital organs (WHO, 2014). The girl child is left terribly damaged and traumatized as a result. Some children are also infected by this heinous practice. Similarly, this procedure is typically performed by traditional circumcisers with parental consent. It is essential to note that circumcisers frequently play vital roles in communities, such as attending births. According to the World Health Organization, around 200 million girls and women have undergone genital mutilation (WHO 2020).

CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE IN NIGERIA

Child Sex Preference

Child sexual desire is abhorrent in the majority of societies, including Nigeria. It refers to the widespread bias towards offspring of a particular gender. The existence of sex preference among parents is correlated with the benefit anticipated from a child of sex preference (Jibril & Suleiman, 2019). This concept is deeply ingrained in the society. It is crucial to note that there are diverse motives for having children. In addition, children serve their parents’ political, economic, social, and psychological needs (Igbolo & Gyong, 2014). Multiple research projects on parental preference for sons among Nigerians reveal an overwhelming preference for sons (Iyang-Etoh & Ekanem, 2016). Consequently, parents with a sex preference for their children tend to show less concern for some of their offspring.

Poverty

Poverty has contributed to the continuation of child abuse in Nigeria. It is important to highlight those changes in a family’s financial situation, unemployment, and even an undesirable workplace can disrupt the family’s stability. This impacts the quality of care provided to a child. Typically, children from broken households exhibit antisocial habits and, as a result, become social outcasts. Similarly, children of single parents may not receive adequate support, may be neglected, and may not be adequately incorporated into society. Increased rates of child abuse have also been connected to parental unemployment and economic hardship. Some children are compelled by poverty to engage in dangerous activities such as robbery, drug trafficking, and prostitution. Similarly, it forces youngsters to leave school and earn a life on the streets. It is crucial to note that some parents engage in child marriage primarily for financial motives (Olesegun & Idowu, 2016).

Unwanted Pregnancy

This pertains to unwanted or untimely pregnancies. It is essential to recognize that the majority of children born from unplanned pregnancies are frequently abused (Lesa, 1999). There has also been an increase in the abandonment of children. This is prevalent among young mothers who cannot provide for their child. Some women who cannot afford an abortion end up throwing their newborns into gutters, trash cans, or bushes. On January 27, 2015, a baby was found inside a plastic bag in the Abule Egba suburb in Lagos. The baby was approximately 3 months old. Also, in December 2013, a 23-year-old woman discarded her newborn baby in Duste, Jigawa state. Nevertheless, the police later arrested her. It should be noted that there is a high tendency for children born out of wedlock and raised by a single parent to be forced to take child labor as a means of survival.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The paper argues that child abuse has been well entrenched in cultural practices. Also, children are easy targets of abuse, and once violated, they find it difficult to socialize, and often perform poorly academically.

Given the preceding, the study suggests that the Nigerian government, religious institutions, and non-governmental organizations educate citizens on what constitutes child abuse in urban and rural areas. This would help to rectify the egregious errors associated with child abuse in Nigeria.

In addition, parents should adopt a nonviolent approach to child raising. Parents should be cautious about the programs and music their children watch and listen to, as these may expose them to sexual abuse. Parents should educate their children about the dangers of interacting with strangers. Similarly, parents should support and cherish abused children rather than view them as impure.

Citizens must be watchful and swiftly report any sort of child abuse to authorities. This report should be filed regardless of the relationship between the reporter and the child’s abuser. This would assist in addressing the problem of underreporting.

The Nigerian government, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, should provide adequate support for children through feeding programs and universal elementary education. Abused children should receive immediate, free, and appropriate care. Children living on the street should be restored to their parents, and the government should care for orphans.

Lastly, perpetrators of child abuse should be punished in accordance with the terms of the Child Right Act of 2003. These statutes should be widely disseminated and freely available to the general populace.

References

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