CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the study
One major phenomenon that is responsible for the setback in the development of human society is “family divorce” also known as separation of married couples (Morgan and Zeduer, 2001).
The holy book says that “Children are heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is the reward” (Psalms 127:3). This verse buttresses the fact that the human family is a pivotal institution for a sustainable social, economic, psychological, spiritual, political and educational development.
For a child to be brought up disciplined and historically developed, it demands that there should be good parenting. This also underline the facts that child parenting is a cardinal part of family congruence and requires a special attention because lack of good parenting results in bad children.
However, the lack of good parenting has the tendency to result in social instability which will on the whole lead to the crumbling of the nation. By God’s design and cultural acceptance, children are supposed to be born in a marriage setting or legal union between a man and a woman. This explains the fact that marriage is an exciting and beautiful venture, it is a commitment between the man and a woman to cohabit more or less permanently (Adams, S. T. 1990)
Generally, the global phenomenon (divorce) which has attracted the attention of both government and non-governmental organizations as well as sociologist and social workers, is very essential to the appreciation of the social, emotional, psychological, physical and educational problems of children.
The responsibility of bringing up a child in the family rests upon both the father and mother. This is made possible only when the couple grows and remain in friendship and harmony as opposed to living separately.
Divorce generally puts children at greater risk for many kind of problems. However, most children are strong and resilient and most have returned to a pretty normal live after 2 to 3years the less resilient children are the one most likely not to adjust well to all the stresses and changes and loses which usually accompany divorce.
Denga Clapp (1991), observed that there has been a lot of divorce and sometimes death caused by constant disharmony and battle among couples.
1.2 Statement of Problem
From all perspectives, children are expected to be brought up disciplined and holistically developed with the view of meeting the future needs of the family and the society at large. In most cities or society, children are referred to as “the future leaders:, “the leaders of tomorrow”, “the future generations”, “the hope of tomorrow” hence everybody expects them to grow up well so as to fulfill such expectations and demand.
Contrary to children fulfilling their roles as expected, the present society is rather faced with a lot of troubles wrecked by the scourge of children’s misbehavior caused by divorce. In society at large, the case is a serious one.
Aggressive behavior, stealing, housebreaking, thuggery, prostitution, drug addiction, cultism and other social disapproved behaviors are common among young people whose parents are divorced.
