EFFECT OF SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS AND SEX ON ATTITUDE TOWARDS CRIME

INTRODUCTION

Social class, or socioeconomic status (SES), refers to an individual's rank vis-à-vis others in society in terms of wealth, occupational prestige, and education. Abundant resources and elevated rank allow upper-class individuals increased freedom and independence, giving rise to self-focused patterns of social cognition and behavior. Relative to lower-class individuals, upper-class individuals have been shown to be less cognizant of others and worse at identifying the emotions that others feel.Socio-economic status refer to the social and economic position occupied by parents in the society, Ivor (1978) defined it as a level made up of individuals who deem themselves equal due to similarities in family background, level of education, occupation, race and attitude towards social issues. Adebayo (1981) observed that the social status of individuals is a reflection of their economic status and he went further to explain that socio-economic status is usually a measure of the income and occupation of the individual, irrespective of his or her educational or social standing. According to him this has a tremendous influence on students’ behaviour.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Ezewu (1987) posited that socio-economicstatus can affect the academic performance ofstudents in terms of early attendance at school,attendance of best schools and the provision ofnecessary materials. The students from low socio-economicstatus would find it difficult to obtainhis needs from his parents. So he or she may belured into cultism in order to meet his needs.Giddens (1996) in a longitudinal study of theinfluence of socio-economic status of parents onchildren’s behaviour found out that children withbehavioural problems come from families with lowsocio-economic background.Also Chauhan (2002) posited that, there is apositive correlation between poverty and crimeinvolving very high earnings and very low risks.

He observed that the highest percentage ofcriminals come from low socio-economicbackground. Furthermore, he observed that allpersons who come from under-privilege class are criminals. The crucial factor in poor homes is thatparents cannot fulfill the legitimate needs of theirchildren. This financial incapability makesstudents vulnerable to the deceit of cultism, whodeceives them that they will empower them andmeet their needs only to end up being a cultist.On his part, Ekpo (2000) view socio-economicstatus as a complex phenomenon which exertspervasive influence on all aspect of one’s life. Henoted that socio-economic status is a liability thatrenders students vulnerable to the mischievousantics of cultists in order to make ends meet.

Ukpong (1999) observed that socio-economicstatus has some sociological implication on thesociety. She explained that crime rates like cultism,gangsters, rape, street life such as hawking,prostitution and drug addiction are seriously onthe increase because of poverty.

1. 1. DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM

        The problem confronting this research is to investigate the effect of socio economic status and sex on attitude towards crime.

1. 1. RESEARCH QUESTION
2. What is socio economic status
3. What is the effect of socioeconomic status and sex on attitude       towards crime?

1. 1. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To appraise the nature and effect of socioeconomic status and sex on attitude towards crime

1. 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study shall provide a source of information on issues of socioeconomic status and sex on attitude towards crime.

1. 1. STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

1      H0    The level of crime in the society is low

        H1    The level of crime in the society is high

2      H0    Effect of socioeconomic status on attitude towards crime                        is low

        H1     Effect of socioeconomic status on attitude towards crime                       is high

3      H0    Effect  of sex on attitude towards crime is low

        H1    Effect of sex on attitude towards crime is high

1. 1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the appraisal of the effect of socioeconomic status and sex on attitude towards crime

1. 1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

SOCIO ECONOMIC  STATUS

        Social class, or socioeconomic status (SES), refers to an individual's rank vis-à-vis others in society in terms of wealth, occupational prestige, and education. Abundant resources and elevated rank allow upper-class individuals increased freedom and independence, giving rise to self-focused patterns of social cognition and behavior. Relative to lower-class individuals, upper-class individuals have been shown to be less cognizant of others  and worse at identifying the emotions that others feel .Socio-economic status refer to the social and economic position occupied by parents in the society, Ivor (1978) defined it as a level made up of individuals who deem themselves equal due to similarities in family background, level of education, occupation, race and attitude towards social issues. Adebayo (1981) observed that the social status of individuals is a reflection of their economic status and he went further to explain that socio-economic status is usually a measure of the income and occupation of the individual, irrespective of his or her educational or social standing.

SECRET   SOCIETY

The 1979 Federal Constitution, Section 35(4)defined a secret society as “…a society or association,not being a solely cultural or religious body,that uses secret signs, oaths, rites or symbols.

(a) Whose meeting or activities are held in secret;

(b) Whose members are under oath, obligationor other threat to promote the interest of itsmembers or to aid one another undercircumstances without regard to merit, fair-playor justice”.

The above are the features of cultism on Nigeria University Campuses.