IMPACT OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON FEMALE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the impact of early marriage on female academic performance in Benin metropolis. Four (4) research questions were raised for the study. The study adopted survey research design. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire; it was built around the research question by the researcher and validated by the researcher’s supervisor. Data collected were analysed using frequency count, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The major findings of the study are as follows: the challenges of early marriage of girl child in Benin Metropolis include: depression is a challenge of early marriage of girl child, anxiety is a challenge of early marriage of girl child, relationship difficulty is a challenge of early marriage of girl child, Suicidal behavior is a challenge of early marriage of girl child and low self-esteem is a challenge of early marriage of girl child. The causes of early marriage in Benin Metropolis include: poverty is one of the causes of early marriage, ignorance is one of the causes of early marriage, gender inequality is one of the causes of early marriage and nature of child’s residence is one of the causes of early marriage. Early marriage affects girl child academic performance. And the solutions to the challenges of early marriage of girl child in Benin Metropolis are as follows: modifications to family law and justice system, severe punitive measures should be meted on perpetrators of early marriage, creation of helpline and information sharing for the girl child and education of the girl child on what to do in a situation of being defiled. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are made: the government and relevant authority relating to girl child issues should work hand in hand to eradicate the challenges of early marriage of girl child in Benin Metropolis.