GENDER ANALYSIS OF ASSET DISTRIBUTION AND CHILDREN’S SCHOOLING AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

There is growing evidence that the gender distribution of wealth matters especially considering the fact that asset ownership is related to wellbeing, women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Not much is known about the gender distribution of wealth in the rural areas in Ogun state, Nigeria. This study assessed gender and asset distribution in Ogun State, South-west Nigeria using cross-sectional data collected from a total of 260 households selected through a five stage sampling procedure. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis. The findings from the study shows that an average rural household in the sample was made up of six persons and households were predominantly headed by males (88%). The mean worth of households’ physical assets was ₦1,402,791.00, about 15% of which was owned by women. The ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis revealed that women’s share of assets had a positive influence (P<0.05) on the number of years of formal education completed by children below eighteen years. The education of father and mother were also significant at (P < 0.05) and (P < 0.01) respectively and these show that children have longer access to education when parents have at least secondary school education. Some identified constraints to women asset ownership in the study area were lack of capital (67%), domestic challenges (65%), cultural barriers to female inheritance (56%), and unemployment (52%). Based on these findings it is recommended that women should be encouraged to own more assets so as to be able to positively affect their children’s welfare in terms of education. The economic situation of women can be enhanced by promoting their access to productive assets through indigenous savings and credit associations. The rural households should further be exposed to awareness talks through extension agents stressing the values of education to all in our contemporary world.