CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

High population expansion has been identified as a significant barrier to human progress. The current estimate of the world's population, which is around 6 billion, is predicted to approach 7 billion by 2015. The vast majority of this expansion is centered in developing countries, such as Africa and South Asia, where the fertility rate remains high (Vanzo et al, 2022). Numerous research, mostly sociological, have determined that high fertility imposes pressure on emerging nations. It impacts the quality of life by restricting access to education, nutrition, employment, and other social amenities such as health care facilities and portable drinking water, which inhibits economic development and women's reproductive health (Vanzo et al, 2022). For economic growth, the quality of the labor force is more important than its quantity, and given the scarcity of resources, a country can educate each worker better when there are fewer employees (Blake, 2022). Conventionally, the relationship between family size and children's outcomes was analyzed using the so-called "quantity-quality" model (Becker & Nigel 2022).

The conscious parental decision-making process involves both quality and quantity factors; parents substitute kid quality for quantity based on market pricing, income, child investment, and their own consumption (Blake, 2022). In poor nations, there are few academic studies comparing family size to children's education, and the results are not definitive. Studies discovered a weak or nonexistent link between the two factors (Altonji et al 2022). However, the degree to which family-level mechanisms of family size and children's education function in a given community is contingent upon the cultural, political, and socio-economic context of that country (Llyod, 2022). Similar to other developing nations, family size may have a detrimental or good impact on a child's schooling in Nigeria.

Education has been identified as a vital key to growth, primarily because it enables the expansion of human potential and leads to a more fruitful existence.

The importance of good life planning cannot be overstated. A priest without a plan for his life is a ship adrift on the open sea. A person without goals is unlikely to achieve much success in life.

Implementing some of the witty sayings of our ancestors can, without a doubt, rekindle your creativity for life planning. This popular radio phrase suits this study and the phrase says “the words of our ancestors are wise words. If you want to be great, you must rise at 5 a.m. After achieving greatness, you may sleep until seven”.

Parents should understand that one of the most important things that you can bequeath to your children is a functional education. They should therefore show more concern in your children’s growth and development. They should enforce home training and ensure that your words are good citizens (Hanushek, 2022). They are expected to ensure that your children have a good start in life by giving them personal core and affection as well as soured education. They should be encouraged to develop good habits. They should be industrious, trendily, accommodating and be willing to be of service to others.

Unless parents help in planning for the future growth an development of their children, most of our youths will not achieve tangible results, parents are to be involved in the choice of vacant oil for their children. They are to liase with the school to ensure that their children become disciplined citizens (Pete, 2022).

Given should remember that men of nowadays do not want many woman who are a liability to the family men want woman who can be gainfully employed and who can add to the family budget.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Family size has an influence on life quality. These include health, nutrition, the educational achievement of children, the social position of families, and their capacity to effectively provide for their families' needs. A family with five members, including the parents, is considered large. Such a family is able to provide for its members' requirements. A sizable family is likely to enjoy the amenities of life with the ability to pay and appreciate them (Gouxet al, 2022). For instance, a modest family with a higher Socioeconomic Status (SES) may invest more in their children's education. Contrariwise, a big family size has its own effects on the individuals involved. Among these include poor health, low levels of education, low income, unemployment, the over exploitation of natural resources, inadequate child care and nutrition (Hanushek, 2022). Recent research by Conley & Glauber (2022) suggests that big families spend less in their children's education, resulting in low educational achievement. In addition, research on the effects of siblings on educational achievement in developing and industrialized nations revealed that, on average, children from bigger families attend less school, do worse academically, and are less well-nourished. Smaller families are in a better position to invest in their children. However, parents that spend extensively in the quality of their children have smaller households (child quantity). The shadow prices of these two commodities are interdependent, and larger families result in reduced educational expenditures per kid and vice versa (de la Crox & Doepke, 2022). Literature on industrialized countries such as the United States indicates a trade-off between family size and educational achievement (Hanushek et al 2022). Achievement is affected in one way or another by the size of the family.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to examine the the impact of education on the importance of reasonable family size. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          To determine whether education influences family size.

ii.        To determine whether family size affects children’s academic pursuit.

iii.      To find out whether family size affects children’s academic achievement.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          Does education influence family size?

ii.        Does family size affects children’s academic pursuit?

iii.      Does family size affect children’s academic achievement?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is intended that this study would educate individuals on the need of having appropriate family size due consideration. This research will also act as a resource for education-related scholars. It is also envisaged that their research would enlighten experts and expand their subject-related expertise.

This study will also alert parents to the fact that parenting is not about paying children's education, but rather providing them with consistent attention.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on determining whether education influences family size, determining whether family size affects children’s academic pursuit and finding out whether family size affects children’s academic achievement.

The respondents of this study will be the staff and patients of Primary Health Centre, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study is limited to determining whether education influences family size, determining whether family size affects children’s academic pursuit and finding out whether family size affects children’s academic achievement.

The respondents of this study will be the staff and patients of Primary Health Centre, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, thus further research is to be carried out before the results of this findings can be used anywhere else.

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