Mental and Physical Effects of Street Hawking among Teenage Girls in Ika North East Geopolitical Zone

Abstract

This study investigated the factors influencing street hawking and its mental and physical effects on teenage girls in Ika North East, Delta State. Specifically, it examined the impact of street hawking on the physical and psychological wellbeing of teenage girls and identified the socio-economic and cultural factors contributing to their involvement in this practice. The study employed a survey research design, targeting 100 respondents selected from four communities—Akumazi, Emuhu, Mbiri, and Umunede—using stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire aligned with the research objectives and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that street hawking negatively affects the physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and moral development of teenage girls. Physically, it exposes them to fatigue, illness, and injuries, while socio-emotionally, it limits recreational opportunities, peer interactions, and fosters behaviours such as early alcohol consumption, disrespect for elders, conflict, and low self-esteem. Cognitively, hawking reduces study time, academic engagement, and school attendance, resulting in poor performance and below-average grades compared to peers. Morally, it exposes girls to adult solicitation, unethical behaviours, and early moral decay. Based on these findings, the study recommended targeted advocacy campaigns to sensitize parents and guardians on the dangers of child street hawking. Law enforcement agencies should ensure compliance by prosecuting parents who send school-age children to hawk. Community and religious institutions should create awareness programs to sensitize the populace of the risks associated with street hawking, thereby protecting the wellbeing and development of teenage girls.

Keywords: Street, Hawking, Teenage, Girls, Mental, Physical, Wellbeing