PERCEIVED EFFECT OF ECONOMIC RECESSION ON RURAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIP IN OBIO-APKOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the perceived effects of economic recession on the rural family relationship in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study was designed to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identify areas of effects of economic recession on family relationship; examine the perception of family relationships and identify measures on how to ameliorate the effects of economic recession on family relationships. A sample size of 49 respondents was used for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study showed that 35.0% of the respondents were between the ages 20 – 30 years, married (75.0%); were females (53.0%), had tertiary educational qualification (66.0%), had between 1 – 3 children (54.60%), and were self employed (49.0%). More than half (88.0%) had a monthly income of N5, 000 – N20, 000 and it was from one source of income. The effects of economic recession on family relationships included damaged interpersonal relationship, cancelled family vacation, among others. The respondents were of the view that family members must live together(x=3.27) and marriage is made up of father, mother, and children (nuclear family) (x=3.46). Measures of ameliorating effects of economic recession on family relationships were; keeping positive attitude (93.0%) and cutting down expenditure (81.0%). The study recommends that families should not rely on one source of income and as such, entrepreneurships should be encouraged to explore more than one stream of income.