RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Across cultures and continents, parents hold a pivotal role in shaping the developmental trajectory of their children. Globally, effective parenting is understood as the provision of not only material needs but also emotional, social, and moral guidance to children. According to Lee and Ward (2021), parenting serves as the primary socializing agent that influences a child’s values, behaviours, and aspirations. The family unit is widely recognized as the bedrock of society, and parents especially in the formative years are expected to provide security, discipline, and encouragement. When parents fulfill these responsibilities, children are better positioned to resist deviant behaviors, integrate successfully into society, and contribute meaningfully to community life. According to Odum & Obasi (2022), parents are recognized as the primary socializing agents responsible for shaping the emotional, moral, and behavioural development of children. From infancy to adolescence, the quality of parenting significantly influences a child’s trajectory in life. Parenting responsibilities encompass not only physical sustenance—such as food, shelter, and education but also psychological and social support systems that equip children to navigate societal expectations especially at youthful age. Youth” as defined by the African Union includes individuals aged 15 to 35a demographic group characterized by identity formation, experimentation, and susceptibility to peer influence. In Nigeria, this group makes up over 33% of the population (NBS, 2023). However, amidst increasing levels of poverty and unemployment, Adebayo & Onah, (2020) opined Nigerian youths have become disproportionately exposed to crime and violence. Youths from low-income families, especially those whose parents are unemployed or have low educational backgrounds, are often drawn into crime as a means of survival or as an escape from social frustration. According to Umanah (2023), the functionality of the family unit, especially the involvement of parents in child-rearing, correlates directly with the social behaviour and values internalized by children. Where parenting is stable and adequately resourced, children are more likely to develop pro-social behaviours. In contrast, inconsistent or ineffective parenting often fosters antisocial tendencies, increasing the risk of deviance. However Agexzi (2024) added that whether a parent care or do not care is dependent on their socioeconomic status. Parental socioeconomic status (SES), a construct often operationalized through measures such as income level, educational attainment, and occupational prestige, plays a vital role in child development outcomes (Panico & Nazroo, 2021). Parents with higher SES tend to have better access to resources, quality education, healthcare, and secure neighborhoods. Such environments enable them to provide for their children's academic, emotional, and social needs effectively. In contrast, low SES is frequently associated with stress, insecurity, and restricted opportunities, which can, in turn, affect parenting practices and the developmental environment of children (Odum & Obasi, 2022). These inequalities often become intergenerational cycles, reproducing patterns of disadvantage and increasing children's vulnerability to delinquency. Contrarily, in scenarios where parents are incapacitated whether due to financial hardship, illness, separation, or premature death their ability to provide adequate care and supervision is significantly compromised. Several studies have demonstrated that economic deprivation correlates with lower parental engagement, emotional unavailability, and reduced capacity for discipline, all of which increase the likelihood of antisocial behaviors among youth (Chukwuma & Ajayi, 2021). The absence of parental guidance and support often creates a vacuum that may be filled by peer influence or street culture, leading to a heightened risk of criminal involvement. Moreover, single-parent households and parents working multiple jobs often lack the time and emotional energy needed to supervise their children effectively (Ikoh & Inyang, 2023). In recent years, there has been a disturbing increase in youth involvement in crimes such as cultism, internet fraud (popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo”), armed robbery, and drug abuse. These crimes are not only disruptive but also indicative of deeper socioeconomic and familial crises (Nwosu & Mordi, 2022). 1.2 Statement of the Problem In recent times, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in youth-related criminal activities. In cities like Calabar South, there have been multiple reports of increased cultism, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and cybercrime perpetrated by individuals within the youth bracket (Cross River Police Command, 2024). These incidents raise questions about the social conditions facilitating these behaviors. While numerous factors could be responsible, emerging evidence points to weak parental influence and poor home environments as contributing factors (Adeleke & Udo, 2022). Although several studies have examined youth criminality and factors like peer influence, educational failure, and societal pressures, fewer have delved into the specific contributions of parental SES. The role of a parent's education, income, and occupation in determining youth susceptibility to criminal behavior remains understudied, especially in the context of Calabar South. As Umezinwa and Okorie (2023) assert, understanding the structural roots of youth crime requires a micro-level analysis of family conditions, particularly parental socioeconomic background. Against this backdrop, this study becomes crucial. Without clear insights into how parental SES impacts youth behavior in Calabar South, policymakers and social workers may continue to adopt general and ineffective interventions. The absence of targeted research in this domain leaves a gap that could lead to further marginalization of vulnerable families and a perpetuation of the crime cycle among youths. Therefore, this study is positioned to fill this gap by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between parental SES and youth involvement in criminal activities in the study area. 1.3 Research Questions 1. How does parental occupation influence youth involvement in criminal activities in Calabar South? 2. What is the relationship between parental education level and youth engagement in criminal acts? 3. To what extent does parental income level contribute to youth involvement in criminal behaviors? 1.4 Objectives of the Study The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between parental socioeconomic status and youth involvement in criminal activities in Calabar South. Specific Objectives Specifically, the study seeks to: 1. Investigate the influence of parental occupation on youth involvement in criminal activities. 2. Assess how parental education level relates to youth criminal behavior. 3. Examine the extent to which parental income level contributes to youth participation in criminal acts. 1.5 Hypotheses Ho1: There is no significant relationship between parent socioeconomic status and youth involvement in criminal activities. Hi1: There is a significant relationship between parent socioeconomic status and youth involvement in criminal activities. 1.6 Significance of the Study This study has multiple levels of significance. For policymakers and government agencies, it provides empirical evidence that can inform the design of social intervention programs targeted at at-risk youth and low-income families. It will assist in developing more nuanced crime prevention strategies rooted in the socioeconomic realities of families in Calabar South. To parents and guardians, the study underscores the importance of economic and educational empowerment in fostering stable home environments. It can serve as a guide for advocacy on improved parental support systems, including income-generating initiatives, adult education programs, and parental counseling services. On a societal and academic level, the research contributes to existing literature by offering a localized and contemporary investigation into youth criminality and family background. The findings will serve as a basis for further research and will help shape the discourse around youth behavior, crime, and family dynamics in Nigeria. 1.8 Scope of the Study The study is geographically delimited to Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. It focuses on youths aged 15 to 35 who are either involved or vulnerable to involvement in criminal activities. The research will consider three key dimensions of parental socioeconomic status: occupation, educational attainment, and income level. Conceptually, the study is limited to examining how these socioeconomic variables relate to youth behavior, particularly in terms of criminal tendencies. It does not seek to evaluate all forms of crime or all causes of youth deviance but specifically those that are linked to the identified parental variables. 1.9 Definition of Key Terms Parental Socioeconomic Status: A composite measure of a parent's economic and social position, typically based on education level, income, and occupation Youth: Individuals between the ages of 15 and 35, as defined by the African Union and relevant Nigerian institutions Criminal Activities: Illegal acts committed by individuals which may include theft, cultism, cybercrime, and other offences punishable by law. Parental Neglect: A condition where parents fail to provide adequate supervision, care, or support for their children, often linked to poverty or social disintegration