The Effects of Poverty on the Lifestyle of Female Students in the University of Buea.
Department: Gender Studies
No of Pages: 67
Project Code: GS6
References: Yes
Cost: 5,000XAF Cameroonian
: $15 for International students
Chapter One
Introduction
This
chapter will examine the background of the study, the statement of the problem,
the objectives of the study; general and specific objectives, the delimitation
of the study, operational definition of terms and significance of the study.
1.1 Background of the
Study
Poverty
is a multidimensional problem with origins in both national and internal
domains. Some view holds that, poverty is a pronounced deprivation in wellbeing
and comprises many dimensions. It includes, low income and inability to acquire
the basic goods and services necessary for survival with dignity.
It
also compasses low levels of health and education, hunger and lack of shelter
(World Bank, 2000). Other views hold that poverty is a denial of choices and
opportunity, a violation of human dignity.
This
means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in the society and
having enough to feed and cloth (United Nations 1996). Poverty therefore has
many manifestations including lack of income and productive resources
sufficient to ensure a sustainable livelihood (kabeer, 2000).
Conventionally,
poverty is represented in two models. Absolute poverty and relative poverty.
Absolute poverty in the Copenhagen declaration (1996) is described as a
condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs including
food, safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities. Health shelter,
education, and information.
It
depends not only on income but on access to social services. Relative poverty
on its part is described by Peter Townshen (1995) as the absence or inadequacy
of those diets, amenities, standard services and activities which are common in
society in terms of comparing two or more situations.
The
financial requirement of Universities is very high. These ranges from house
rents and equipment of rooms, light and water bills, clothing, feeding, hair
styling, buying of handouts, doing of assignments, carrying out research and
other social activities such as departmental parties, outings and participation
in the students activities.
This
therefore indicates that poverty exists among university students. Since
poverty is said to influence the lifestyle of individuals (Young 2009).
It
is likely for one to assume that poverty has influenced the life style of
University students especially the female students since they constitute more
than half of the population of the University of Buea and their needs far
exceed those of male students poverty is more likely to influence the habits
taste, moral standards, attitudes and interest for female students (young,
2009), (Malek, 2010).
1.2 Statement of the
Problem
Since
University students in Cameroon are not given allowances and nearly all of them
do not have jobs that earn income, they are therefore dependent on their parents,
guardians or sponsors.
Looking
at the poverty situation in the country and the rising prices of goods and
services in Molyko, one can assume that more students in Cameroon are poor or
only a few can meet up with their needs University fees in Cameroon are very
affordable so even the poor can afford to pay.
However,
in a society where you have both children from wealthy and poor homes, the
children from poor homes will possess few of the things everyone is supposed to
have (Coleman and Cressey, 1987).
This
is the situation therefore that one would expect to find in Molyko where the
few students from wealthy homes will be living in affluence while the majority
from poor homes will be able to have just their basic necessities.
On the contrary, most female students in the University of Buea live in affluence. This can be seen in their rooms which are often well equipped; they often crowd local restaurants on daily basis, in bars and night clubs on week ends.
They
can even be spotted in expensive hair dressing saloons either doing their hair
or manicure and pedicure and in expensive fashion and cosmetic shops. In
addition to that, they still have money to meet up with their academic
requirement.
University
of Buea girls are noted for their exquitiative taste in fashion styles as new
fashions are often recast in them. They often dress “to match” accompanied by
expensive jewelry, deodorants, spray, perfumes. In fact, business people around
Molyko claim the University of Buea students are very rich especially the
girls.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 General Objectives
- To examine the effects of poverty on the lifestyle of female students in the University of Buea.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
- To describe the demographic characteristics of female student in University of Buea.
- To identify the effect of poverty on sexual relationship of female students in University of Buea.
- To identify the effects of poverty on the dressing habits of female students in University of Buea.
- To identify the effect of poverty on the cohabiting habits of female students in University of Buea.
- To identify the effect of poverty on the academic performance of female students in University of Buea.
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