CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Improved parenting is the most important goal of child abuse prevention. Parents maltreat their children for many reasons and combinations of reasons. In the past three decades, researchers have identified four common co-occurring issues—parental substance abuse, parental mental illness, domestic violence, and child conduct problems—that are related to parenting and that lead to child maltreatment. Understanding and responding to these issues is fundamental to designing effective parenting education programs that can help prevent abuse and neglect (Barth, 2009).

          One key decision facing those who design such programs is whether (and the extent to which) a parenting program should directly address these related problems or whether efforts to improve parenting should focus primarily or solely on improving parenting skills, with the expectation that the negative effects of these other problems on parenting may recede if parenting programs are effective.

          A fifth risk factor for child abuse is family poverty. Every national incidence study of child abuse and neglect has shown that poor families are disproportionately involved with child welfare services. Parenting education, however, is not designed to reduce poverty, and that risk factor will not be further discussed below. See the article in this volume by Fred Wulczyn for a discussion of family poverty and child maltreatment (Barth, 2009).

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Child abuse and neglect is a serious public health problem affecting 10.6 children per 1,000 in the United States annually (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009). Emphasis is needed on what has been described as one of the newest and most promising approaches to child maltreatment prevention–the promotion of safe, stable, nurturing relationships (SSNRs) as the foundation for supporting positive parenting practices (Hammond, 2008; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]). There are often immediate consequences from child maltreatment, but research in neurobiological, behavioral and social sciences indicates that these early childhood experiences also affect longer-term brain development and increase vulnerability for multiple mental and physical health problems (CDC, 2009; Felitti et al., 1998; Kendall- Tackett, 2003), further emphasizing the need for prevention.

1.3    OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

          The aim objective of this study is investigates the preventing of child abuse and neglect with parent training: evidence and opportunities. The specific objectives include the following:

1.      To examine the factors affecting in prevention of child abuse and neglect of parent training in Nigeria.

2.      To identify the challenges facing parent training and preventing child abuse in Nigeria.

3.      To determine whether there is any law or policy preventing child abuse in Nigeria.

4.      To make useful recommendations based on the findings of this study.

1.4    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were generated to guide this study:

1.      Are there any factors affecting in prevention of child abuse and neglect of parent training in Nigeria?

2.      Are there any challenges facing parent training and preventing child abuse in Nigeria?

3.      Is there any law or policy preventing child abuse in Nigeria?

1.5    RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:    There are no challenges facing parent in training and preventing child abuse in Nigeria.

H1:    There are challenges facing parent in training and preventing child abuse in Nigeria.

1.6    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

          Child abuse and child neglect are social problems that affects a significant number of people about which something need to be done. This menace deters technological advancement and waste a lot of wisdom and talents. This study however, would help reduce the number of people affected through adequate mobilization and campaign against this catastrophe. This study would also help in legislating against the catastrophe. This study would provide a data bank that serve as literature for further use by scholars.

          It would also be of immense benefits to students of higher learning who may wish to carry out research on the similar topic.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

          This study centered on preventing child abuse and neglect with parent training: evidence and opportunities in Nigeria.

1.8    LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

          There is no study undertaken by a researcher that is perfect. The imperfection of any research is always due to some factors negatively affecting a researcher in the course of carrying out research.  Therefore, time constraint has shown no mercy to the research. The limited time has to be shared among many alternative uses, which includes reading, attending lectures and writing of this research, also distance and its attendant costs of travelling to obtain information which may enhance the writing of this study was a major limitation.