RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALE CHILDREN HAWKING ON BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY MAKURDI CAMPUSES

Abstract

The problem of female children hawking on Nigerian campuses and Benue state university campus in particular has taken a drastic dimension that needs attention. This is a social problem that causes, effects and implications on female children hawking on Nigerlan campuses. Despite the various government and non-governmental organizations that have carried out various campaigns against female children hawking, the phenomena seem to be rampant in campuses. This study therefore, examined hawking among female children on Benue State University Makurdi. 78 respondents participated in the study. Survey research design was used to adequately collect data in this study through questionnaires methods. Frequency distribution tables and cross tabulations were used to analyse data. It was found that parents or guardians have a great impact on the possibility of children hawking in the Nigerian streets. Many children have become hawkers because the structures of their families have been disorganized socially and economically. Hawking will eventually be considered as a way out from the Life difficulties. The effects of hawking were physically harm, lifelong injuries, sexual abuses, insults and drop out from schools. Serious efforts should be made through seminars, workshops, conferences and other public talks to enlighten the parents on the dangers of exposing thelr children to street hawking, street begging as well as street wandering. Children must be incorporated as beneficiaries of such programmes in order to do away with child hawking.