Shared Seasoned Journal

ABSTRACT

This study was to assess the family income and child development in River State. The study adopted an ex-post facto design. The study was undertaken in River State. The population of the study consisted of the family head and all experts in home economics in River State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three senatorial districts in River State. From each of the district 60 family head and 20 home economists were randomly selected, giving the total of 240 respondents that comprised the sample size for the study. The main instrument titled “Family Income and Child Development Questionnaire (FICDQ)”. was used for data collection. Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert to ensure that the instrument was recorded accuracy while Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the level of the reliability of the instrument. Interestingly, the reliability coefficient obtained was 0.86 which was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical techniques such as percentage analysis and simple regression. The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha level. The study concluded that family income is generally considered the primary measure of a nation's financial prosperity for every child's development. Family income is the flow of money, goods, services, and satisfaction that comes under the control of the family and is used to meet their needs and desires while also fulfilling obligations and family duties. However, child development involves the biological, psychological, and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence. As a result of the utilization of family income, the changes outlined above are critical in any child's development and will have a significant effect on their success as an adult. One of the recommendations made was that families should work to improve their income status in order to aid child development.

KEYWORDS: Family Income, Child Development, and River State