ABSTRACT
This study aimed at understanding the relationship
between poverty and prostitution, using Onicha Igboeze as case study. To
achieve this purpose quantitative and qualitative research methods 200
questionnaires were distributed to residents of the study area, out of which
150 were utilized for the analysis, while 20 in-dept interviewer were conducted
among the some selected number of prostitutes in the qualitative method. Theoretical
study on the subject was reviewed with the aid of some relevant and related
literature. Data obtained was analyzed. The finding revealed that truly their
exist a relationship between poverty and prostitution in the area of the study.
TABLE OF
CONTENT
Title
page ---------------------------------------------- i
Certification
-------------------------------------------- ii
Dedication
---------------------------------------------- iii
Acknowledgement-------------------------------------- iv
Abstract
------------------------------------------------- vi
Table
of content----------------------------------------- vii
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction--------------------------------------------- 1
1.1
Background to the
study ----------------------------- 1
1.2
Statement of
problem --------------------------------- 5
1.3
Research question
------------------------------------- 6
1.4
Objectives of
study ------------------------------------ 7
1.5
Significance of
the study ----------------------------- 7
1.6
The study area --------------------------------------- 8
1.7
Definition of
terms ------------------------------------ 8
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
Introduction---------------------------- 10
2.1
Concept and
nature of poverty ---------------------- 11
2.2
The degree of Poverty
in Nigeria--------------------- 13
2.3
The concept of
prostitution ---------------------------- 16
2.4
History of
prostitution ------------------------------ 17
2.5
Prostitution a
deviant behaviour and a social problem
19
2.6
Theoretical framework ---------------------------------- 21
CHAPTER THREE
3.1
Study design
---------------------------------------------- 25
3.2
Scope of study
------------------------------------------- 25
3.3
Population of
study -------------------------------------- 25
3.4
Sample size and
sampling techniques----------------- 26
3.5
Instrument for
data collection ------------------------- 26
3.6
Data analysis and
processing -------------------------- 27
CHAPTER FOUR
Presentation
and analysis of data -------------------
4.1
Sex distribution
of respondents ---------------------
4.2
Age distribution
of respondents ---------------------
4.3
Education status
of respondents -------------------
4.4
Occupational
distribution of the respondents ----
4.5
Household size of
the respondent -------------------
4.6
Extent of poverty
living condition and needs situation
of
the respondents --------------------------------------
4.7
Average annual
income of the respondents ---------
Result
of interview ---------------------------------------
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary,
conclusion and recommendation --------
5.1
Summary findings
--------------------------------------
5.2
Conclusion
----------------------------------------------
5.3
Recommendation--------------------------------------
References
---------------------------------------------- 29
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
The achievement of food security is a total victory
over poverty in a given country.
The most pathetic feature of Nigerian society today is
that majority of its members are living in a state of destitution while the remaining
relatively insignificance minority are living in affluence.
Poverty has no geographical boundary. It is seen in
the North, South, East, and West. It is found in rural as well as urban areas
of Nigeria. The incidence of poverty in Nigeria is much higher in the rural
areas than in the urban centres. The urban slum dwellers form one of the most
deprived groups (World Bank 1997).
This, the poor are often illiterates in poor health
and have a short life span (World Bank 1995) they have no (or limited) access
to basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, decent shelter, are unable
to meet social and economic obligations. They lack skills and gainful
employment, have few if any economic assets and sometimes lack of self-esteem
(Olayemi 1995) very often, the poor lack the capacity to escape from their
situation by themselves.
The urban poor in sub-Sahara Africa, especially the
west Africa region experience difficult times. The episode of international
adjustment program clearly harmed the urban poor group the most, despite
government intention to protect the incomes of the urban groups especially the
elites. Even if the very wealthy groups have benefited from adjustment programmes,
the majority, of the urban population was hit badly by the policy induced
recession. The incidence of poverty increased in the region for both public and
private sector.
Poverty has been a low priority on research and
development agenda of Nigerian government for over two decades, this has been
dominated by rural development and poverty. The recent renewed interest in
urban issues has been due to the widespread idea that urbanization is speeding
up. At the end of the year 2000, about half the world population were living in
urban areas, in 1975 this was only 28%. In 1970, developing countries level of
urbanization was 25%. In 1994, it has increased to 37% and it is now projected
to be 575 in 2025 (UNO 2001).
In urban towns and cities, the urban poor has risen
from 9.7 million to 11.7 million in 1985-1992 (World Bank 1995).
Moreover, the depth and severity of poverty in the
urban centres are on the increase in Nigeria and it is very serious and
alarming. This has been identified with the recent high population growth rates
and rural urban migration, which has made the quality of life in the urban
centre slumps worse and urban services our stretched.
On the other hand, prostitution sometimes referred to
as commercial sex workers(s) is a social vice, which has come to pose as a
problem and source of concern to moralists, governments, parents and
every-well-meaning citizens of most countries of the world. This goes to show
why it should not be treated with levity.
In this part of the world, prostitution is believed to
be practiced by females in the prime of their youths with only few cases
otherwise.
“The majority of the women suffer from the exploitive
and oppressive character of the Nigerian society as a member of the subordinate
class and as women”. The above statement marks the preambles of the goal
statement of the first conference of women in Nigeria (win) a feminist
organization.
Having established the feminist gender susceptibility
to the social ill, it is important to
state that prostitution is a vice and should not be mistaken fro sexual
promiscuity which suggests having sex randomly with multiple partners.
Prostitution is rather a practice that is consciously ventured into as a
profession or means of livelihood.
The American encyclopedia defined prostitution as “a
performance of sexual act with another person for payment of a foe’ however,
prostitution in Nigeria is mainly characterized by exchange of sexual service
for money by pre-dominantly young women whose clients ranger from young, middle
age and even old men as the case may be.
The increasing rate of the “trade” is worth nothing as
it tends to gain popularity and acceptance over the year despite the fact that
most cultures abhor it and the mere practice especially in Nigeria in generally
perceived to be unethical and morally wrong. Thus, the continuity practice
could pose a problem to the moral belief system of such peoples, depending on
the degree to which it is frowned at.
A concept which is to be used as an independent
variable of Onicha poverty in prostitution. Further analysis of this could
ascertain if there is a correlation/relationship between the set variable. And
if, it, is true that there exists a relationship from the research/study, it
could then be concluded that Onicha poverty encourages moral laxity and crates
market for prostitution and the clients. The truism of the aforementioned
relationship between poverty and prostitution in Onicha Igboeze is worthy of
investigation.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Poverty and prostitution come with numerous negative
consequences on the society although it could be argued also that there are
also some positive effect but the negative impact is felt more by the
individual and the society at large.
Poverty has the consequence of breading social
disillusionment with respect to the societal objectives.
The sex industry is highly competitive most especially
in the urban centres thus prostitutes strive to maximize their daily income and
they do all sorts of thing has achieve this ultimate objective. Poverty has
made prostitutes in the Onicha Igboeze to join the sex industry. Recent world
report, indicates an alarming increase in the spread of Hiv, which causes Aids
and other STDS, in the urban centres and prostitution happens to be one of the
major catalysts of its spread since some of them practices unsafe sex due to
high urban poverty. Question to provide answers to include. Do prostitutes
still have a future? Can government and other well meaning citizens step in to
reduce this fast growing trend in our society and there by checking its adverse
effect on our society? How can the income levels of individuals standardized?
How can the government improve on its local production of food, to meet the
basic food needs of the populace?
1.3 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
(1) What are the cause of poverty and
prostitution in Onicha Igboeze?
(2) Is prostitution a phenomenon symptomatic
of gradual breakdown of societal value
system?
(3) Are poverty and prostitution in Onicha
Igboeze exited based on the result of rapid social change?
(4) Is there a relationship between poverty
and prostitution?
1.4
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
(1) To
explain the relationship between poverty and prostitution as it relates to the
Onicha Igboeze.
(2) To
examine the relationship between educational attainment and involvement in prostitution.
(3) To
examine the relationship between family background and prostitution.
(4) To make
suggestions that would help improve the situation.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is very important to the society in general.
This is because rural-rural migration into the small city of Onicha Igboeze in
search of jobs and survival over poverty has tremendously increased
prostitution in the city. Young female teenagers and others who cannot secure a
job in the city of Onicha Igboeze due to high unemployment have no other choice
than engage in trade. Prostitution for survival and provision of their basic
needs.
The research will provide helpful data for policy and
decision markets which will help them know if there exists a relationship
between poverty and prostitution. By the time the study is completed, useful
information will be made available to everyone and the government.
I hope this study would also reduce poverty and
prostitution in Onicha to an insignificant level. This study is also significant
for academic purposes.
1.6
THE STUDY AREA
This work will attempt examine the relationship
between poverty and prostitution in Onicha Igboeze.
The prevalence of poverty and prostitution there
effects will be examined in this work. Based on the above, recommendations will
be made which would be of help in further studies. Onicha Igboeze is one of
towns or communities in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. It is
located at Ebonyi South and boarders with Uburu, Okposi and Isu etc. They speak
their indigenous language and they are predominately farms.
1.7 DEFINITION
OF TERMS
Deviant:- A rule breaker or a person that deviant from what
is said to be right.
Prostitutes: Person who give sexual services for financial
benefits.
Prostitution: The provision of sexual favour for financial benefits or reward.
Poverty: Lack of command over basic consumption needs.
Relationship: Something linking two or more variables together
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND
ANTHROPOLOGY
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY
ABAKALIKI
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