The Impact of Domestic Violence on the Academic Performance of School-Aged Children and Adolescents in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract:

This study examines the impact of domestic violence on the academic performance of school-aged children and adolescents in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. Domestic violence, in its various forms, physical, emotional, sexual, and economic, has been shown to significantly impact children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, which in turn affects their academic success. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from students, teachers, and parents to assess the prevalence of domestic violence and its correlation with academic performance. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency counts and percentages, and inferential methods, including Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and chi-square analysis, were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that 80% to 100% of students had experienced some form of domestic violence, which led to academic challenges such as absenteeism, poor concentration, and diminished school engagement. The study concludes that domestic violence hinders children's educational progress and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in schools and communities to address its adverse effects. The research contributes to a broader understanding of the relationship between domestic violence and academic outcomes in Nigeria.