SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES STUDENTS IN AE-FUNAI
ABSTRACT
This research work examines the socio-economic factors that contribute to female criminality among undergraduate students at Alex Ekwueme Federal University. The focus of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of female involvement in crimes, including the types of crimes they are most visible in. Additionally, it aimed to analyse the socio-economic attributes of women involved in criminal activities and identify the factors that contribute to their criminal behaviour. This research work utilised the descriptive research method. The study utilises the convenience sampling method to select a total of 250 students who took part in the study. The study findings indicate that the type of upbringing a person had during their childhood can have a significant impact on their behaviour and development in adulthood. It was observed that a majority of the women involved in crime were first-time offenders. Company that influences criminal behaviour is another contributing factor. Peer groups exert a significant impact on individuals. The family in which a person is raised has a significant impact on their life. Many women involved in crime are either in the informal sector or unemployed. The immense strain brought on by financial struggles can drive individuals to engage in criminal behaviour. There is a significant involvement of females in criminal activities.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Over the years Nigeria has been witnessing unprecedented rise as well as sophistication in criminal activities. The new wave cuts across all sections of the society, involving men, women and children. The society overtime, has devised means of controlling crime and dealing with those who deviate from its norms and values. In pre-colonial times women were more or less restricted to their traditional social roles. The communal system of living added to the internal and external mechanism for crime control (mainly of ridicule and public disgrace) kept the level of criminal activities by women low. With the introduction of a money economy and emergence of private property during the colonial period, some women began to seek employment outside the home. With increased labour force participation for them, some had the opportunity of getting involved in criminal activities (Adler, 2013; Simon 2015). The tilt in female crime became apparent after independence and particularly during and after the Nigerian civil war. It has since assumed different forms and styles. Women have been known to be accomplices to criminals. They no longer come as accomplices, but as active collaborators and sometimes leaders of the gang. They no longer contend themselves with hiding weapons for male counterparts but operate with the weapons as well (Sunday Champion, May 9, 2005). This shift may not be unconnected to the economic situation in the country where there is the quest for materialism and the get-rich-quick syndrome.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Nigeria in fact has a complex political history; frequent abrupt changes in government have led to sharp changes in economic and social policies. These have for most part impacted adversely on the population and have worsened income distribution. The exploitation of the nation’s oil resources and management of the great oil windfall have significantly influenced the evolution and perception of poverty. Criminality among females which has been on the increase has been fostered and encouraged by socio economic factors such as poverty, hardship, unemployment, illiteracy, bad influence and cultural prejudice and domestic responsibilities which disadvantaged them from getting employed in stable and well paid jobs. Women however play a very crucial role of socialization in the overall national development process; hence their involvement in criminal acts has negative impacts on the nation’s socio economic development. This prompted the researcher to embark on the study female criminality.