MARITAL CONFLICT FACTORS AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMACE IN PUBLIC JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
Felix Onyela 1, Adeola Adams 2 & Elisha Mallam Duchi 3
Member, Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Abuja Chapter 1
Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, National Open University of Nigeria 2
Member, Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peacebuilding and Conciliation, Abuja 3
Corresponding Email: elishamallam@gmail.com 3
Abstract
Generally, formal, informal, or non-formal education is adjudged to be essential for critical thinking, that is central to national development. However, children from homes facing marital crisis continue to encounter challenges that undermine their education. Both government and non-governmental organizations had taken initiatives to address marital disputes in the study area without much success. Against this backdrop, this study sought to investigate the elements that contribute to marital conflict and its impact on academic performance of students in junior high schools, Lagos State. The study covers Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State. Bowen Family and Structural Functionalism theories were used to explain issue under discuss. Descriptive survey research design, primary and secondary data from both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for the study. A simple random sampling technique was utilized and the administration of 142 research questionnaire among respondents to gather data on marital conflict impact on children’s academic performance. Findings showed that, marital dispute occurs in the study area, but not quite noticeable; domestic abuse, poor communication among others, were the conflict triggers. The study concluded that, victims from these homes, often had poor academic performance due to psychological problems. The study suggested provision of counselling services, establishing laws that deter marital aggression, and awareness campaign on the dangers of marital dispute on academic performance of children.
Keywords: Academic, Marital conflict, Performance, Students.
