STREET HAWKING, EDUCATIONAL DEPRIVATION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (12–17 YEARS) IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA: A SOCIOECONOMIC NEXUS

Abstract

This study examines the interrelated challenges of street hawking, educational deprivation, and domestic violence among school-aged children (12-17 years) in Imo State, Nigeria. Anchored in feminist theory and exchange theory, the study adopts a mixed-methods crosssectional design, with structured questionnaires administered to 150 respondents. Findings indicate that 68% of children are engaged in street hawking, with a significantly higher school dropout rate (45%) among hawking children than among non-hawkers (4%). Additionally, 60% of hawking households reported domestic violence, while 67% of children who dropped out of school hadexperienced domestic violence. These findings highlight the intersection of economic hardship, family instability, and educational exclusion. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, causal relationships cannot be inferred. The study contributes to existing literature on child welfare in Nigeria and recommends targeted policy interventions to address child labour, strengthenfamily support systems, and improve access to education.