ATTITUDES OF PARENTS TOWARDS FEMALE EDUCATION

1.1 Introduction
Bokkos local government area is one of the seventeen local governments in plateau state. The major occupation of the inhabitants according to Makut (2014) is farming, as they are among the prominent group of farmers in plateau state. This makes some of them view the education of their female children as irrelevant, preferring that females should help their parents in farming and domestic work so that they can be good house wives in future.
It has been documented that schooling improves productivity, health and reduce negative features of life such as child labor as well as bringing about empowerment. (UNESCO, 2002). This is why there has been a lot of emphasis particularly in recent times for all citizens of the world to have access to basic education. Meanwhile, it has been documented that across the globe, there are inequality in educational access and achievements as well as high levels of absolute educational deprivation especially in children (Subrahmarian, 2002). Girls constitude the largest population of illiterate children in the world till date (Otive, 2006). The 1948 universal declaration of Human Rights stated that every person has the right to education.
The ratio of girl’s gross enrolment rate to boys in developing countries increased from 0.92. But girls secondary school completion rate lag, 76% compared with 85% for boys (UNICEF, 2004). Statistics indicate glaring balances against girl’s enrolment, attendance and completion rates in all levels of education in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern part of the country due to a variety of socio-cultural and religious factors (Otive, 2006). Extraordinary progress in Africa must be made in the next few years if the “Education for all” goals and Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are to be met by 2017. It has been observed that some measures could be adopted even within tight financial limits to redress gender inequality in educational enrolment and retention (Danladi, 2003).
Nigeria has had a national policy on education since 1981; it has not been implemented effectively and efficiently due to rapid population growth, insufficient political will, a long period of undemocratic governance and poor management of scarce resources (UNICEF, 2002). The national literacy rate for females is only 56%, compared to 72% for males and in certain states the females literacy enrolment and achievement rate are much lower (UNICEF, 2002). The failure to educate girls can be overlooked and when reviewing the data. Girls are often “invisible” not reported or underreported. Countries report averages and conceal very serious gender disparities between internal regions and economic and ethnic group (UNICEF, 2004).
Education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and Judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. It is also on individual’s opportunity for employment, earning and status. An access to education is one key opportunity and should be made available not only to male but also to females. In recent times, women’s in Bokkos local Government Area had strived to gain places in almost all professions in the society using education as a propagating instrument.
Despite their contributions to society, parents have not completely changed to granting females equal educational rights as males. Therefore, the attitude of parents towards female education in Bokkos is of great concern to the researchers and should be revised to involve females in National Development. Adaralegbe (2002) says, females are not to be restricted from education in any way. He also stated that time is coming when women will be in power.
Adeyemi J.A (2002) also emphasized on education of females. As such if women folks are giving the opportunity they will perform almost the same functions with their male counterparts.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In recent times, the society has suffered underdevelopment due to the belief that the males contribute more to the development of the society, especially in Nigeria.
It is the concern of most teachers that the girl child is found at home. This at times is a deliberate act on the side of the parents. The girls are neglected by the parents due to different beliefs which shatter their views toward the potential of female children.
Since the indices of female education still rank low in Nigeria, the researchers have undertaken to determine the role parents attitudes toward education of females contributes to this reality. The researchers deem it necessary to examine the attitude of parents towards female education and its implication on the development of the society in Bokkos as a means of understanding the problem better.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This research is aimed at finding out the various attitudes of parents towards their female child education and its implication on the future of the society without female education. The research work will examine the following objectives as to:
 Enumerate the various beliefs of parents towards female education.
 Identify the negative attributes of women education held by parents.
 Enlighten the parents on the importance of female education and their possible contribution towards societal development at large.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The research is considered important especially in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, because it will help to develop in parents positive attitudes towards the education of their females, realizing the educated today, it will help them to contribute positively to the development of the society and inculcate in their future generations right attitudes that will make them fit in with the present norms of the society.
It will also create awareness to parents on the needs to view education of their female children as an obligation that must be fulfilled. As well as encouraging Government to lay emphasis on female’s education, and also improve the social structures of women in community and society at large.
1.5 Hypothesis
The following hypothesis will guide this research:
HO: There is no significant relationship between cultural beliefs towards girl child education.
HA: There is a significant relationship between cultural beliefs towards girl child education.
1.6 Research Questions
In finding out the attitude of parents towards female education in Bokkos Local Government Area, the following research questions have been formulated:
 To what extent is the attitude of parents towards female education responsible for low level of women literacy in Bokkos Local Government area?
 Does the family background affect the education of female children or the family beliefs?
 Is the education of females necessary to the development of the society in Bokkos?
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is design to fine out the attitude of parents towards the education of their females’ children’s, and the reasons behind their beliefs.
Bokkos local Government of plateau State is used as a case study, but it is not possible for this study to cover the length and breadth of the region under review.
Therefore, the researchers focuses attention these villages under the Local Government area as:
a. Kabim
b. Daffo
c. Karfa
d. Gwande.
To be a point of reference because female education is not well recognize is these regions.
1.8 Definition of Terms
A. Attitude: attitude is define as a way of thinking, feelings, behavior, opinion or value one has for something (Female Education).
B. Parents: Is a person (Man or Woman) with legal claim of ownership of child, male or female
C. Female: Belonging to the famine (Social) gender. That is, an opposite sex of male child.
D. Education: Is a formal instruction or training given to a child in secondary school. (Male or Female).
E. Social Factor: All social influence that aids or hinders a parent’s attitude to education of their female children.
F. Income: Is the availability of resources, parents earned on sales of articles or received on performance of certain services.
G. Poverty: This is a state of being poor, living in inferiority.
H. Illiteracy: This is a state of not able to read and write. It could be also mean an un-educated, exhibiting lack of knowledge in certain field.
I. Discrimination: This can be defined as a way of making differences to distinguish to treat people differently from other people.
J. Believed: This is a means to accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty. (I.e. as opposed to knowing).
K. Educated Parents: They are parents that are owner of a female and male child with formal education.