Youth Violence And Its Implications On Socio Political Development
Abstract
This study was on youth violence and its implications on socio political development. The total population for the study is 200 residents of lokoja local government of Kogi state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made public servants, elderly men, elderly women and youths were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Chapter one
Introduction
- Background of the study
Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence. Both fatal and non-fatal assaults involving young people contribute greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability. Youth violence deeply harms not only its victims, but also their families, friends and communities. Youth violence is rampant in Nigeria. Nigeria is becoming or has become a theatre of youth violence. Its occurrence and persistence have ostensibly undermined and threatened social security in the country. Apart from militancy in the Niger Delta region and acts of terrorism in North Eastern Nigeria, other common violent activities include clashes among cult members, political clashes, religious clashes, land disputes, communal clashes, herdsmen/farmer clashes, as well as tribal and ethnic violence
For the sustenance of human right in the society, consistent economic and social development, accountability and good governance in the modern society, democratic governance is an important factor. This is in view of the fact that democracy in its principles and utilitarian value grants equal opportunity, transparency and the value for human right and freedom. Though philosophical and ideological differences may justify any type of government anywhere in the world, the concept of democracy still prevail in the pursuit for egalitarian society; it is the governance which undermines dictatorial tendencies and engender group cohesion, group participation and group benefit in any given political setting. However, the plausibility of democratic governance is a subject to certain factors such as the group differences, environmental factors, the level of civilization and enlightenment among differences societies. In concept and principle, democratic governance provides the human society with the opportunities for advancement and every other thing that ensures human right and freedom in the society thus, if the concept and principles of democracy is adhered to, its fruits are indeed acceptable to every right thinking human being in the modern era. The abuse of the concept of democracy, which has become the order of the day among African nations, has made it irrelevant to the understanding of the youth and other members of the society. This has made democracy to be now synonymous with political violence, group (ethnic, tribe, class or party) domination, the germinating ground for corruption and the likes. Of major interest here is the “democracy” in the African context becoming a germinating ground for youth violence and radicalization to the extent of making thuggery and arms proliferation a regular business among the youth and the merchants of death. These situations are as a result of certain factors which have undermined the essence of democracy in the interest of few who cleaved to power by chances and even others who ignore the rules of democracy in the blind support and pursuit of unjustifiable objectives
Statement of the problem
The youth have become sacrificial lambs” for the sustenance of the interests of the bloody political demagogues under the umbrella of “Democracy” in which in most cases, they are given the impression that they are fighting for their right. In whichever way or whatever justification for youth involvement in political violence especially, thuggery, the ultimate truth is that such undermines democratic development and youth’s chances of involvement in the main stream politics
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the effect of youth violence on socio political development
- To find out why youth involve in political violence
- To ascertain find out the factors the prevent youth from engaging in political violence
Research hypotheses
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
H0: there is no effect of youth violence on socio political development.
H1: there is effect of youth violence on socio political development.
H02: there are no factors the prevent youth from engaging in political violence.
H2: there are factors the prevent youth from engaging in political violence
Significance of the study
The study will be very significant to students and the youths. The study will give a clear insight on the youth violence and its implications on socio political development. The study will give a clear insight on why youths involve in political violence and the solution to it. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic
Scope and limitation of the study
The scope of the study covers youth violence and its implications on socio political development. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;
- a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
- b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
POLITICAL THUGGERY: Political thuggery is an aspect of social violence which is devastating in Nigerian democracy. The menace has become detrimental to democratic sustainability in Nigerian politics in which thugs move mostly in groups victimising, terrorising, intimidating, and injuring innocent individuals and politicians.
YOUTH: Youth is the time of life when one is young, and often means the time between childhood and adulthood. It is also defined as “the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one who is young
VIOLENCE: behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: Ultimately, political development can be defined as an increase in national political unity and an increase in political participation.
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