Togunde, D., & Rinkinen, J. (2009). Agents of Change: Gender Differences in Migration Intentions among University Undergraduates in Nigeria. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 4(2), 175-190.
Abstract: This paper draws on surveys/interviews with 678 Nigerian university undergraduates to examine migration intentions and to detect if gender differences exist in reasons to migrate (or not) to the United States. This study is unique by focusing on future migration among university students, whose views and migration plans have been neglected in previous studies. As a departure from few previous scholarships in Africa, the paper introduces two new variables: perception of America as a land of socio-economic opportunities and whether respondents actively participate in the U.S. Visa Lottery Program. Findings indicate that a higher proportion of males than females cites better employment opportunities as reason for planning to move. However, more females than males mention security and better infrastructures available in America as motives for wanting to emigrate within the next five years. A higher proportion of women than men mention social and cultural ties with homeland and perception of racism in America as factors discouraging them from wanting to live in the United States; whereas, more men than women wanting to stay in Nigeria refer to patriotism/love of homeland as reasons. Perception of America as a land of opportunities and active participation in the U.S. Visa Lottery Program are among significant predictors of intentions to migrate. Findings have implications for policies aimed at improving quality of life in Nigeria, thereby, reducing emigration of “future leaders of tomorrow”.
Togunde, D., & Richardson, S. (2008). Children’s Educational and Occupational Aspirations in Urban Nigeria: Implications for Policy Development. Research Journal of International Studies(7), 19-31.
Abstract: This paper uses data from interviews with 1535 children and their parents in urban Nigeria to examine children’s educational and occupational aspirations, and parents’ aspirations for their children. The findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of children plan to attain post secondary college/university qualifications and engage in professional occupations such as doctors, teachers, lawyers etc. Parents’ aspirations for children are similar to children’s goals. There is no difference between male and female children regarding educational desires or career aspirations. Also, there is no significant variation in parents’ aspirations for males and female children. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that several factors including parental socio-economic variables such as education, occupation, and income strongly determine children’s educational and occupational aspirations. These findings have implications for policies aimed at strengthening human capital formation and development in Nigeria.
Togunde, D., & Carter, A. (2008). In Their Own Words: Consequences of Child Labor in Urban Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 16(2), 173-181.
Abstract: This paper utilizes a 2002 datasets gathered through interviews with 1,535 children (aged 8-14 years) and their parents in urban Nigeria to examine the dangers and hazards reported by children who work in the urban economy. Findings indicate that slightly over half of interviewed child laborers are female; they begin work as early as age 7; and work for an average of 4 hours a day in order to contribute financially to the sustenance of the family; and to acquire training needed in future occupations. The children come mostly from large households of about 6 persons, where many of their parents have low levels of education, income, and occupational statuses. Furthermore, because the sample is urban based, children come mostly from nuclear and monogamous households. A significant percentage of working children are involved in motor accidents, face attempted kidnapping, rape, and sexual molestation. Many are also invited by gangsters to participate in robbery and anti-social activities. Others suffer from physical exhaustion and pains due to frequent long walks. These health problems have detrimental effects on children’s school attendance, punctuality, school performance, and leisure time. This study has policy implications for regulating child labor in Nigeria.
Light, M. T., & Togunde, D. (2008). The Mexican Immigration Debate: Assimilation and Public Policy. International Review of Modern Sociology, 34(2), 279-293.
Abstract: This paper navigates through the contentious issues surrounding the contemporary Mexican immigration debate. It argues that an effective and practical immigration policy reform requires an understanding of the empirical reality of Mexican immigration rather than sweeping generalizations that exist in the literature. It focuses on a dual task of presenting a review of U.S. current and past policies on immigration; and an examination of data measuring Mexican assimilation. Findings indicate that previous immigration policies laid the groundwork for the current immigration picture; and that the measures of assimilation clearly indicate that Mexican immigrants are acculturating to the United States. It concludes that the politicization of immigration would make a comprehensive immigration reform difficult to achieve, leading to future increase in Mexican illegal immigration flows.
Togunde, D., & Weber, E. (2007). Parents’ Views, Children’s Voices: Intergenerational Analysis of Child Labor Persistence in Urban Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 33(2), 285-301.
Abstract: This paper draws on interviews with 1535 parents and their children to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intergenerational dynamic of child labor persistence. From the perspectives of two generations, findings show that child labor is caused by poverty and the need to provide children with training for future careers. Furthermore, a significant number of parents had worked for their own parents while growing up, and this experience influenced their decision to ask their children to work. Moreover less than a third of the children plan to utilize the labor of their children when they become adults. Anxiety about financial future serves as a major reason for current child laborers to expect child labor to continue with the next generation. The remaining two-thirds who don’t plan to utilize child labor mentioned numerous hazards and dangers they counter as compelling reasons to end child labor. Interestingly, children of parents with higher socio-economic status are less likely to desire child labor continuation. Child labor practices may be quite resistant to change in a culture of poverty, however, because it carries tangible social and economic advantages in weak economies. Findings have policy implications for regulating child labor in Nigeria.
Togunde, D., & Richardson, S. (2006). Household Size and Composition as Correlates of Child Labour in Urban Nigeria. Africa Development, 31(1), 50-65.
Abstract: This paper draws on interviews with 1,535 parents and their children to examine the relationship between child labour and various household variables in urban Nigeria, where child labour studies have been very limited. We provide a comprehensive overview of the household factors and residential dynamics through which child labour evolves. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of the household production theory in explaining the socio-economic ramifications and household context of child labour. Our findings indicate that although child labour is mostly caused by poverty and the need to prepare children with skills and training useful for future occupations, the size of the household, number of children in the household, number of children contributing to the household income, child’s age, and age at which child started working – are all significantly and positively correlated with children’s hours of work. However, gender compositions of the children or of the household head and age of the household head have little or no relationship with children’s hours of work. Additionally, parental socio-economic status and family structure variables are associated with fewer hours of children’s work. The findings have implications for policies aimed at regulating child labour in Nigeria.
Togunde, D., & Carter, A. (2006). Socioeconomic Causes of Child Labor in Urban Nigeria. Journal of Children & Poverty, 12(1), 73-89.
Abstract: Drawing on interviews with 1,535 children (aged 8-14 years) in urban Nigeria, this study introduces two new measures of child labor—child’s ownership of business and control over earnings—to supplement the conventional use of a child’s hours of work and to create a wider understanding of child labor. It examines the causes of child labor and how these measures vary by parental socioeconomic status. Study of this relationship is important for a deeper understanding of the varying patterns of child labor, as well as for clarifying the cultural and economic socialization of children. Our findings show that children of parents with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to own businesses rather than assist parents. These children are also more likely to keep and spend their work earnings. Our results also offer strong support of the poverty hypothesis and the socialization theory, which are often used to explain child labor in developing societies. Furthermore, our results indicate that children of parents with higher levels of socioeconomic status work fewer hours. These findings have implications for regulating child labor and for alleviating its consequences.
Togunde, ‘D., & Newman, S. (2005). Value of Children, Child Labor, and Fertility Preferences in Urban Nigeria. West Africa Review(7).
Abstract: This paper examines the value of children as perceived by parents and explores the link between child labor and fertility preferences in urban Nigeria. We provide a unique perspective to utilize the Caldwell’s Wealth Flow Theory by considering the connection between current economic benefit of children and parent’s fertility intentions. This is a departure from previous studies that tend to relate future benefit of children at parent’s old age to current or future fertility behavior. Findings indicate that sons are valued for their future patriarchal status and their kinship role in continuing the family name. Daughters are more likely than sons to be relied upon for financial support at old age, and are cherished for their potential roles as future mothers. The results also suggest that labor contribution of children has become a central part of the fertility equation in urban areas. Indeed, a significant proportion of parents had children because of expected labor contribution of those children. Parents wanted more children because of the financial support of current children. Others would expect additional children yet to be born to contribute to the household income. Findings have implications for regulating child labor and fertility in Nigeria.
'Dimeji Togunde (Faculty Co-author) | MVH | 
September 28, 2009 2:49 pm | 
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