FATHERS’ UNEMPLOYMENT AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS ON FAMILY LIVING DURING RETIREMENT IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Culturally, fathers are seen as providers, and are thus regarded as the major agents for financial and material support of children and families. Retirement becomes a challenge, especially if the children are still in school. This study examined the implications of father’s unemployment on family living during retirement period in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The study used descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 3,317 families in the study area. The study was carried out on 210 married individuals who were randomly sampled. A 33-item structured 4-point scale questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed descriptively. Findings revealed that the prevalence of fathers’ unemployment in the area of study was 0.27, signifying that one in every four fathers is unemployed (which is relatively high). This study discovered that being unemployed as a father could pose further consequences on the family, and have particular negative implications for the financial state of the home during the retirement stage of family cycle. Such implications include poor living condition of a family (in terms of house lighting and ventilation, the attractiveness of the interior environment of households, location of residence, and exterior appearance of building), poor quality of children’s education and health, as well as poverty and hardship, strained relationships, inability to pay bills, difficulty in feeding and clothing amongst others during the retirement period. It was therefore recommended that families with retired or unemployed fathers can handle financial stress by reducing expenses on luxury such as cable television subscription, and by planning to make all purchases at once as much as possible, in order to allow for sustainable retirement.