INFLUENCE OF DIVORCE ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN ENUGU EDUCATION ZONE OF ENUGU STATE

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ABSTRACT

This research work was carried out to investigate and determine the influence of divorce on  the  academic achievement of  secondary school students  in  Enugu education zone of Enugu state. The design of the study was ex-post facto design four research questions and two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The population was one thousand five hundred and seventy-one students. The sample of the study was 1,571 respondents (785 male and 786 female students) out of

3,141 students in Enugu Education Zone of Enugu State. There are 30 public secondary schools in the zone. Multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting 12 schools out of 30 public secondary schools in the Local Government Areas in the zone under study. These include: 4 schools in Enugu East; 4 schools in Enugu North and 4 schools in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area. Multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting 300 students out of 3,141 students in Enugu Education Zone of Enugu State. It includes; 50 male and 50 female students from Enugu East, 50 male and 50 female students from Enugu North, 50 male and

50  female students  from Isi-Uzo  Local Government amounting to  300  as  the sample size. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled  Influence  of  Divorce  on  Academic  Achievement of  Secondary  Schools Students (IDAASSS). The IDAASSS was face validated by experts in the Faculty

of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The questionnaire was divided into four sections comprising a total of forty items. The instrument was trial tested and reliability estimates of 0.85. 0.77. 0.79 and 0.87 respectively. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed by the use of t-test statistics. The findings of the study showed that influence of divorce really affects the academic achievement of secondary school students in Enugu education zone of Enugu state.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The common understanding of marriage is a union of a man and a woman as husband and wife with the end view of symbiotic companionship, procreation and rearing of children for the sustenance of posterity Ezeh (2012). According to Adrian (2013) marriage is the union, permanent at least by intention, of a man and a woman for the purpose of the procreation and rearing of children and mutual companionship and assistance.  Marriage is the recognition by the existing social authority of the union of a man and woman as husband and wife. Marriage has two meanings: in one sense it is the ceremony or the act of becoming married; in another sense, it is the relationship itself or status of being married American Peoples Encyclopedia (2010). In this context, marriage is the legal union between a man and a woman to become husband and wife and live together without divorcing each other.

Marriage institution is an institution in which there should be harmony, love and happiness. Nwobi (2002), defined marriage institution as a legally recognized bond,  established  by  a  civil  or  religious  ceremony between two  people  who anticipated living together as sexual and domestic partners.

Marriage institution is an officially and documented union accepted by a

civil or religious convention amongst two people who agreed to live together as

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husband and wife (Dought, 2011). This means that husband and wife should live in love, harmony and happiness. Nevertheless, in some marriage institutions love, harmony and happiness are lacked due to the fact that some couples were unable to solve their marital problems that may lead to divorce.

Marital problems are those difficulties experiences or encountered by husband  and  wife  in  their  union which  could  lead  to  divorce.  These  marital problems according to (Danladi, 2012) include financial difficulties, lack of communication, distance, understanding, immaturity, infidelity/cheating and poor sexual relationship. In marital problems like these, the idea of compatibility is thrown away. The new idea is incompatibility, thereby ushering in divorce as the final solution. Compatibility is an important element of marriage where couples live or work together without conflict Amato (2000). Where there is no compatibility because of some marital problems mentioned above, the marriage become unhappy and unsuccessful for the husband and wife, in this case they have no other alternative than to divorce. Divorce according to Omeje (2000) is the dissolution   of   a   marital   union   that   cancelled   all   legal   obligations   and responsibilities of marriages as well as dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties. Omeje (2000), stated that divorce is one aspect of marital disorganization which could, among other things frustrate the destiny of the children of such marriage. Some of the children who were involved feel deeply

depressed. Wallerstein (2005) defined divorce as a family breakup that characterized with numerous problems that lead to unsuccessful marriage. The case of divorce is disheartening. It has made many marriages to loose its celebrity and splendors. Patterson (2008) stated that there can never be a single cause for any divorce rather there are several more than one reasons for divorce to take place. These include lack of communication, immaturity, infidelity/cheating, failed expectations, drug and alcohol abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, cultural and religious  differences.  Ugwu  (2007)  was  of  the  opinion  that  some  marriages collapse due to unfaithfulness, sex explosion, suspicion and lack of trust.

Divorce  has  been  in  the  society  for  quite  a  long  time.  Amato  (2000) lamented that it is disheartening that people brought from two different families in affection as husbands and wives should end up in divorce. According to Gac (2008), there are high rate of divorce worldwide. Gac (2008) further asserted that divorce rate has been of great increase since the early 1960s. Commenting on the divorce  rate  Odebunmi  (2007)  maintained  that  divorce  is  on  the  increase  in Nigeria.

The issue with divorce is not more of the impact it will have on the couples, because they may have other partners. The crucial issue involved is the fate of the children who need a lot of parental care as they are growing. Most of the positive and negative character traits of the youth or adult is usually traced or attributed to

the upbringing from the family. Nwobi (2002) asserted that children do not understand the idea of divorce in all ramifications because of special love they have for either of their parents. Nwobi further stressed that when there is divorce, children from such family always notice that everything is now different in their homes in terms of basic facilities, education, social and religious services even the new set of people they will be interacting with. Divorce affects children in their physical development and social functioning because such children will no longer be train in the way they supposed to be trained. In some cases, children from divorced family are being trained by their relation, friends who may not be able to care and cater for their physical, socio-economic and educational well-being of those children. Lach (1999) stated that children are made to suffer hardship, social control, lack of financial support and inadequate protection. These often encourage the children to indulge in delinquent acts like drug addiction, child abuse, picking pockets,  truancy  and  prostitution.  In  support  of  the  above  assertions  Dought (2011), maintained that children of divorced homes were usually not having good relationship with their parents as compared to the children whose parents live together. This unhealthy relationship affects the children virtually in everything they do including their moral and academic achievement.

Academic achievement is  the extent to  which students make success in academic work. Globe and Bishop (2001) perceived academic achievement as

something one does or achieves at school, college or university, in class, in a laboratory, library or field of work. Idundun (2002) stated that academic achievement is the overall academic performance of a student in the school. It is assessed by the used of teacher’s rating, tests and examination. From this assertion, academic achievement has to do with some measure of success one is able to attain after  learning  experience.  As  such,  Smith  (2011)  lamented  that  children  of divorced parents are prone to academic problems like drooping out of school along with psychological, emotional, socio-cultural and economic problems when compared to the children whose parents remain married and live together.

Psychological problems have a lot of influence on the husband, the wife and children as  a  result of divorce which is  always devastating. Kowalski (2003) defined psychological problem as a psychiatric disorder showing symptoms such as  persistent  feelings  of  hopelessness,  dejection,  poor  concentration,  lack  of energy, inability to sleep and sometime suicidal tendencies. An individual is faced with psychological problems if very negative feelings stay permanently on top of one’s mind. Psychological problem is a serious mental illness for which professional helps and sometimes medications are needed to get rid of it. Commenting on the consequences of divorce on children Ugwu (2007), maintained that the children may later grow up to be threats to the society. Divorce is a life- changing event  for  children.  It  turns  their  world  upside  down.  Kelly  (2000),

maintained that children of divorce homes are at greater risk of teenage pregnancy, prostitutions, rapes, political toggeries, cultist, dropping out of school, depression, divorce in their own marriages and joining the ranks of welfare recipients.

On the other hand, Corak (2001) lamented that they show depression over the divorce and changes taking place in their lives especially in their academic performance and sexual relationship much earlier than their mates in a stable family environment. According to Wolfinger (2000) there is always a feeling of great happiness or condition of enjoyments, pleasant anticipation and supports that exist among family members of a stable family because it always lays a sound foundation for the children’s future life. Rapoport (2005) maintained that providing stable family environment and attending to children’s need with a positive attitude is a yardstick to academic achievement. Amadi (2000) stated that student academic achievement in various school subjects appear to be degenerating. As mentioned early,  children  of  divorced  homes  seem  not  to  do  well  at  school  and  are emotionally and psychologically disturbed. Lansford (2009) stated that the overall stress of the change in the family structure might distract a child from school activities and consequently affect his or her academic achievement. Divorce affects the  academic achievement of students  in  many ways.  These include potential reductions in both the quantity and quality of parental inputs on their academic achievement  and  parental  guidance  or  oversight  with  respect  to  disciplinary

problems. Dykeman (2003) stated that when children experience the trauma of divorce, their emotional state might affect interactions with their classmates. Students may wish to have alone time to reflect and think about life at home. Other students may choose one or two close friends with whom they can identify and with whom they trust to talk to about the divorce. The motivation, focus and emotion may be an indicator on how they are reacting to the influence of divorce in their academic achievement (Hargreaves, 2005). Hargreaves maintained that children adjust more effectively, learn successfully and misbehave less when home and school are both consistent, predictable and proactive in meeting the child’s needs. Teachers reported negative behavioural changes in two third of the children after   divorce.   These   changes   consisted   of   an   increase   in   impatience, inattentiveness, unhappiness, lack of concentration and more need for attention from their teachers (Hargreaves, 2005).

In support of the above assertion, Wallenstein (2005) stated that teachers are often the first to notice changes in behaviour of children when a family begins to experience marital problems or divorce. Wallenstein, (2005) further stated that teachers observed that some children from divorce families may show decreased functioning in academic performance and display oppositional behavior on signs of anxiety and depression. Divorce can change a student perception of school, alter students’ motivation and attitude as well hinders students’ success in class. Based

on the  foregoing, the  researcher is  interested in investigating the  influence of divorce on academic achievements of secondary school students in Enugu Education Zone.

Statement of the Problem

Marriage  institution  is  a  social  institution  where  harmony,  love  and happiness  should  reign.  Nevertheless,  there  appears  to  be  incompatibility  of couples because of financial difficulties, lack of trust, distance, misunderstanding, immaturity, infidelity/cheating and poor sexual relationship that subsequently lead to divorce. Although divorce has a legal act, it has a serious concern to the children in particular and the public in general. The home environment may be handicap to a child in life or may be a source of special advantage to the child’s academic achievement. Student’s academic achievement at the secondary level of education has remained poor because of divorce and marital problems of secondary school students in Enugu state. Teachers, parents and the general public are concerned and worried about the poor academic achievement of students. Apart from poor academic  performance  most  of  these  children  from  divorced  homes  show symptoms of maladjustment like withdrawal, absence from school, depression, fighting, inattentive, unhappiness, and lack of concentration in their studies. Divorce can also change student’s perception of school, alter student’s motivation, attitude and hinders student’s success in school. The problem of this study put in

question  form  therefore  is;  what  is  the  influence  of  divorce  on  academic achievement of secondary students?

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to determine the influence of divorce on academic achievement of secondary school students in Enugu Education Zone. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1.  Find out the extent to which emotional scaring left by divorce influences the academic achievement of secondary school students.

2.  The  extent  divorce  influences  parent  financial  support  towards  academic achievement of secondary school students.

3.  Ascertain  the  extent  to  which  unhealthy  relationship  caused  by  divorce influences secondary school students academic achievement.

4.  Determine appropriate solution to avert divorce in the academic achievement of secondary school students.

Significance of the Study

The benefit that shall accrue from this study will be of both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, the study lends credence to Albert Bandura’s social learning theory which provides extremely useful ways of understanding how developmental changes in behaviour and thinking occur and for some children when behavioural problem arise.

Practically, the study will be of immense benefit to teachers, school counselors, students, parents, sociologist, and future researchers.

This study will be of immense benefit to teachers since it aims at exposing the implication of divorce on students’ academic achievement, as this will enable the teachers to design a curriculum on how to handle students from divorce homes appropriately, so that they can cope effectively with their academic work.

School counselors will benefit from this study in that, it will reveal to them the actual influence of divorce on students learning abilities thereby enabling them to design programs on how to help these students cope with the school programs despite their background.

This study will also be of immense benefit to students since they are the main focus of this study. They will find this work worthy of note, this is because when issues of divorce is properly addressed, its implications on children known, strategies of helping students who are victims of divorce will be implemented. The students will then experience some sort of relief from psychological trauma associated with divorce, thereby enabling them to cope with the normal school activities and consequently, improve their academic performance in school. They will also understand that positive attitude towards their parents, teachers and other students could enhance their school achievements.

Parents will benefit from this study because it will expose them to the implications of divorce on their children’s social, emotional and even academic

development. The study will enable parents gain insight and understanding, that providing stable family environment and attending to children with a positive attitude is a yard-stick to their academic achievement.

To the sociologist the study will help to create discipline in the life of children from divorced homes. When this is done there will be sanity, peace and order, which will enhance the moral tone of the school as well as the society. It will also help the sociologist to know the right technique to adopt in modifying negative peer pressure.

Lastly, the findings of this study will sharpen the focus of other researchers who may be interested in the study of divorce and influence on the academic achievement of students. This study will serve as a source of literature to researchers.

Scope of the Study

The study will cover all the public secondary schools in Enugu education zone. The content scope of this study will focus on the extent divorce influences the academic achievement of secondary school students, how emotional scarring left by divorce influences the academic achievement of secondary school students, how divorce influences parent financial support towards academic achievement of secondary school  students  and  how  unhealthy  relationship  caused  by  divorce influences secondary school students academic achievement.

Research Questions

To guide this study, the following research questions were posed:

1.  To  what  extent  does  emotional  scarring  left  by  divorce  influence  the academic achievement of secondary school students?

2.  What  extent  does  divorce  influences  parents  financial  support  towards academic achievement of secondary school students?

3.  To  what  extent  do  unhealthy relationship  caused  by  divorce  influences secondary school students academic achievement?

4.  How  does  problems  of  divorce  influences  secondary  school  students’

academic achievement?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses formulated will guide the study and each will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

Ho1: There is no significant difference in the mean responses of male and female students on how emotional scarring left by divorce influences the academic achievement of secondary school students.

Ho2: There is no significant difference in the mean responses of male and female students on how unhealthy relationships caused by divorce influences secondary school students academic achievement.



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