An Assessment of the Relationship between Socio-cultural Practices and Domestication of Child Rights Law in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

After the enactment of Child Rights Act in Nigeria in 2003, its domestication and implementation have remained weak and ineffective. This study investigated the relationship between socio-cultural practices and the domestication of Child Rights Law (CRL) in Cross River State. The Social Learning theory was employed as the theoretical framework. The study utilized mixed method involving questionnaire and In-Depth Interviews (IDI) to elicit data. Simple and systematic random sampling techniques were used to draw a sample of 461 respondents from households, while purposive and quota sampling techniques were used to select 56 interviewees from child-focused ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organizations, children under corrections/police custody, orphanages and remand homes, making a total of 517 respondents. One hypothesis was formulated and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation through Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 26. Quantitatively, the study revealed that there was a high correlation between socio-cultural practices and the domestication of CRL, viz; male child preference had R-value of 0.937; branding of children as witches and wizards (r =0.953); female genital mutilation (r =0.811); child marriage and betrothal (r = 0.772), etc, all of which accounted for the poor domestication of CRL. Qualitatively, the IDI interviewees reported that socio-cultural practices negatively impacted on the domestication of Child Rights Law in Cross River State. The study recommended that, socio-cultural practices inimical to the child should be abolished through awareness campaign by trained community and religious leaders.