ECONOMIC RECESSION, FAMILY INSTABILITY AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIA: A THEORETICAL EXPLORATION

Abstract

The economies of nations are faced with some level of vicissitudes. This situation, no doubt, has often resulted in changes in other social systems because of the centrality of the economy to other systems in society. Economic recession as an inevitable consequence of the global capitalist system, and Nigeria’s experience of her economic recession have left so much to be desired in the country. This study examines the nexus between economic recession and family instability and their effect on antisocial behaviour in Nigeria. The methods employed in this study are literature review and content analysis of some theories (-social structure, social control, neo-marxist and age-graded theories-) that are linked to economic recession, family instability and social vices. The main findings of the research reveal that there is a nexus between economic recession on the one hand, family instability and the occurrence of anti-social behavior in Nigerian on the other hand. That is, as a result of economic recession, most families have been economically, psychologically and socially unstable with serious impacts on social behaviour