Parental Poverty and Girl Child in Sex Trade in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The moneymaking sexual corruption of children constitutes one of the most grievous violations of human rights. The menace of sexual exploitation of children in Africa due to poor socioeconomic conditions is a worrisome omen, which must be fought by all stakeholders. This study was about the examination of the connection between parental poverty and girl child involvement in the sex trade in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. It equally investigated how economic deprivation in families influences the vulnerability of female children to sexual exploitation. This inquiry adopted mixed research design and survey method of data gathering, which comprises of questionnaire and interview techniques for data collection. The study discovered that the socioeconomic conditions of a household and parental education attainment levels are strongly correlated with the risk of minors entering commercial sexual activities in the study area. It also identified multiple pathways through which poverty increases vulnerability, which include, educational discontinuation of the young girls, family pressure, and limited economic opportunities. Based on the findings of this work, the researchers recommended that the government at all levels, donor agencies and well spirited individuals should as a matter of urgent concern donate toward poverty alleviation programmes and educational support schemes, so as to contain the ugly trend in the study area.