₦airaland Forum

eGuerrilla:
Child labour is sometimes a by-product of child abuse, but since it has its own set of causal factors a clear distinction must be made to maintain clarity of focus.

I looked into this problem in earnest years ago, so know first hand that the issue of child labour cuts across geographical divide, ethnicity and religion.
In the excerpt provided below, Demand for cheap labour stands out as the main driver.

The scandal of child labour in US farming -- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/may/31/children-farm-jobs-immigrants

The law clearly bars underaged kids from engaging in manual labor unlike Nigeria where a little kid can be sent out to work as a maid or on the streets hawking goods. I am certain that if the authorities are notified of these working conditions meted out to kids, the parents would be forced to lose custody of their wards.

EuroMeko:
A beautiful picture.

What you call child abuse I call survival.

Those look like well fed kids, certainly well dressed. I've seen kids in the US that are far worse.

Before you start sullying the terminology "child abuse" be careful so you don't water it down for those kids who are really facing abuse.

It's child abuse, period! Where in America have you seen kids hawking? Oh, ok, there are some teenagers who sell newspapers and girl scout cookies to raise funds for their schools, that's different. The USA has imposed strict regulations on the number of hours and the minimum age that one could engage in physical or manual labor. I dont know the exact age, but I do know you have to be in your teens and of course enrolled in school with good academic standing.

odumchi:
Osu are quite different from slaves. For example let's say an Igbo army raids a neighbouring village. Their warriors are killed, their men are sold into slavery and their children are taken as slaves but none become osu. The children will be treated well as servants/slaves. They'll be fed, respected by foreigners and might gain power and influence within a community.

An osu is someone who is shunned in the community and estranged for committing a Crime or for some other complicated manner. Osu were lower than slaves in the social ladder. But it's a complicated matter and isn't widespread. It's a complicated topic and shouldn't really be discussed by outsiders.

Why shouldnt it be discussed with outsiders? Because while the ibos have been crying of being marginalized in Nigeria, they are at the same time practising discrimination against their own fellow brothers and sisters just because they hailed from a family whose ancestors were condemned by the larger society. Shame! It is a topic that should see the light of the day and abolished completely.

Lagos — As former Biafran leader Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu recuperates in a London hospital, his former abode at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos has become a source of controversy as his younger brother, Lotanna Ojukwu and his wife, Bianca fight over ownership. The property valued at about N500 million was left behind by late Sir Louis Phillipe Odumegwu Ojukwu, the family's patriarch. Trouble started when Lotanna, in company of two aides visited the house on an inspection tour.

Daily Trust gathered that the security guard protecting the property prevented Lotanna . . .


http://allafrica.com/stories/201108180921.html

Rastamann:
They are both fools at 70! Babangida's eight years + Abacha's eight years + Obasanjo's eight years = 24 years of vanity in Nigeria's quest for socio-economic development

Abacha ruled for less than 8 years.

To everyone who sees them, five-month-old Ame and Lia look like twins. And they were indeed born to the same mother just minutes apart.
Amazingly, however, the sisters are not twins. They were conceived three weeks apart thanks to a million-to-one medical rarity.
When doctors had to perform an emergency caesarean delivery on their mother Amelia Spence, Ame was born at 29 weeks and Lia at 32.
Miss Spence, 29, said: "It is hard to get our heads around the fact that I was pregnant with two babies at the same time and they aren't twins.
"When I explain it to people they get very confused." Even more amazingly, Miss Spence became pregnant twice in three weeks while she was taking the contraceptive pill . . .

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-484562/Born-day-mother--theyre-NOT-twins.html#ixzz1V8rIkN1O

LagosShia:
it would be more interesting when christians prove that they truly practice what they believe in.if they think what they believe God did is good,they should emulate him.let them use their sons as "sacrificial lambs".

And for what purpose should parents sacrifice their sons when God wouldnt let Abraham do so in the first place, when He offered His only Son, Jesus Christ, in stead to atone for our sins?

Hebrews 10:14 says "For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

http://www.christianmessenger.org/lambofgod.htm

Read the above and you will find out why Jesus Christ is God's sacrificial Lamb for the world.

It would be acceptable if it was a family owned business, but public office? This reeks of nepotism. Dont care if JFK did it or not, this is plain wrong!

Put your foot down in your house and tell "Mr spencer" that he should behave or he wont be welcome in your house anymore. Dont be a doormat, and if your sister in-law doesnt like you and is expecting you to 'fall' (I dont know what that means), I'd say dont give it a thought.

For those confessing they will pocket the money, I hope you dont go around throwing blame on the corrupt politicans back home because y'all are in the same boat.

jamace:
Ufan, ami diongo ke o.

But you are aware of this practise, right?

Is it true that if you are eating cocoyam and it itches you, then you should place the cocoyams on your arms and head, and belt out a song, then it wont itch you again after eating for the second time. I know of some people who do so. Please tell me.

I am from Uyo, that was once part of cross river state, so we are all regarded as 'calabar people' Yeah, our culinary reputation in Nigeria holds no bounds compared with other tribes. But I have tried several or so meals from other tribes, so I cant say which tribe makes the best meals, but our people are reknowned when it comes to cooking.

If a child who is adopted is disciplined, it might cross their mind that they are unfairly treated that way because they are adopted. But if you choose to conceal the information and they find out on their own, it will cause additional problems, so how do you go about it? Some kids who arent adopted, harbored such feelings when they were disciplined back home or sent to boarding house. And if they were indeed adopted, those feelings would be validated and lead them to question their parents disciplinary behavior against them.

bajam:
IT IS BETTER TO LET THE ADOPTED CHILD KNOW ON TIME IF THE ADOPTION IS DONE THROUGH DUE PROCESS. BUT IF NOT, IT IS BETTER THE PARENTS KEEP THE SECRET FOR LIFE.

FOR INSTANCE A FRIEND OF MINE OUT OF MERCY MARRY A LADY WHO WAS PREGNANT AND WANTED TO KILL HERSELF BECAUSE THE BOY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREGNANCY DENIED IT. MY FRIEND ACCEPTED THE PREGNANCY AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE BABY AS HER FATHER. MIND YOU, MY FRIEND CAME ACROSS THE LADY FIRST TIME WITH THAT PREGNANCY. SHOULD SUCH BABY BE TOLD OF HER BIRTH? WHEN THE OWNER WAS NOT EVEN READY TO COLLECT HER. AND SHE RESEMBLE THE ORIGINAL FATHER. MY FRIEND IS NOT EVEN READY TO RELEASE THE BABY IF AT ALL THE MAN COMES FOR HER.

Story story, your friend married a pregnant woman because he pitied her dilema and did not want her to kill herself? Is this a nollywood movie script or what?

tpia@:
true.

many of them can develop severe mental stress after they find out as adults.

however, i think if they're already aware while young, it might reduce the effect somewhat.

i forgot to mention- if the child doesnt know by the ages of 10 to 15, it might be better not to tell them at all. Or wait until they're 40ish or something.

just my opinion.

start at an early age. Telling them at 40's is bound to throw them off balance. Haba!

A very delicate topic, parents fear that if the kids are told, they would run away, that is why adoption is shrouded in secrecy in the Nigerian culture. I know of a girl who was adopted, (I aint gonna dig further on her identity). She had no clue on her origins but eventually found out she was adopted. That caused a great deal of tension and squabbles between her and her adopted mother, because she felt that the woman was punishing her unneccesarily because she was adopted. Eventually, they parted ways, the last I heard, for good. And she was adopted as an infant. She was a bit troubled about her real background and a girl commented that if she was inher position, she would be too.

2nd one learnt she was adopted, and later on left the family to search for her biological family. Her adopted father was heartbroken and her adopted brother was mad at her. I dont know what became of their relationship. If you are going to tell a child they are adopted, break it down to them in bits and pieces when they are young (maybe five or six) and gradually go along with it as they age. Eventually, they will know the truth and will perhaps appreciate your hospitality and kindness. But parents are bound to keep such information a secret in a culture where infertile women are mocked and regarded as cursed. Besides, even if you are open about the subject, will your relatives and inlaws accept the child during family gatherings or will they just sit down and whisper, "He/she is adopted, bla bla bla" It is not an easy subject.

I think that's one of the fears adopted parents have which makes them reciticent on broaching the subject to their adopted children. But me, I dont know why a child, who was raised in a loving home, would all of a sudden become angry at thier adopted parents when they know the truth and then try to locate their biological parents. To be honest, I have heard such instances on several occasions, and as you know, the topic is a very delicate one. I grew up in nigeria where the topic is treated with sensitivity and secrecy that when I moved out here, I was shocked by the candor and openness it was discussed in public. People would be telling you that they were adopted and so on, and I would like "Are they going to run away, or shouldnt they parents have concealed it from them? Dont blame me, I grew up in a culture that treated such conversations in a very secret manner.

REad this discourse I posted earlier.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-614005.0.html

2Praise:
Am a christian and all I can do is feel embarrased that the name of God has been put to shame again.This is is not even news.



Just a fulfillment of prophecy 'In the last days false prophets shall arise and they shall deceive many'. Are you among those getting deceived? Well am not.

Now what you need to do instead of criticising from the fence, is to accept christ and then ask Him to make you a better christian so that we have few deceiving people.

You cannot be deceived if you know  the scriptures for yourself well enough and stop IDOLISING ordinary men.

We are to blame because we look at them as 'gods'. Yet they are ordinary men like us capable of sinning.

This mess also happens when we take this prosperity gospel to a high new level.God must be shocked.

You cannot go on sinning in secret becz whatever you do in secret shall be brought out in the light. Its scripture.And to whom much is given much is required so  they shall give an account before God for putting His name to shame.

What of you? can you confidently stand before God and say hey God am spotless.

The reason you feel justified to throw stones is because your sins are not exposed to all.But God knows them.You are just not in a position of Authority but does

that make you any better? No not as far as God is concerned.

Have  God-fillled day.

Nobody can put God's name to shame because He says that He cant be mocked.

As long as the masses reap the potential windfall that comes with having the "Highest average GDP Growth in the world" Otherwise, it's simply meaningless.

Is this a case of sour grapes or what? Tell me, in Nigeria, would an unemployed fellow have access to three square meals a day from a non-profit organization including living in a rent controlled apartment? Where can you get that in Nigeria?

child abuse. These are the kind of people that would get arrested in the USA. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, most parents get away scott free under the guise of 'not sparing the rod." Fashola, take a note of this. For those who disapproved of Fashola's new law against corporal punishment in school, what are your thoughts on this?

I tried it yesterday (even though I did not even realize that a question of such had been posed on Nairaland) and came up with about 38 or 40 words.

How can you turn your spouse into a punching bag? Shame!

why cant I modify my earlier thoughts on this subject?

Thumbs up to the law. That would put in check the sadistic nature of some teachers in the educational sector. I absolutely detest the manner corporal punishment is instituted in Nigeria. I have always said this, when I have kids and they are punished unjustly, I wont take it kindly with that teacher. I know teachers who have sworn for parents who questioned their barbaric methods on their kids with parents simply biting their tongue or worse, pleading with them to be more lenient with their children. That's completely unacceptable. If a child misbehaves in class, a swat in the buttocks is fine, or send them home to be disciplined by their parents. If their action is deplorable, expell them. Dont cane them mercilessly with sticks on their bare buttocks and excuse your barbaric actions with the Biblical adage that says, 'Spare the rod, spoil the child." There must be a limit.

odumchi:
I am from Abia state but my town shares a common boundary with some Ibibio settlements at the edge of Ibibioland. We speak a little Ibibio, does that count?

Is it AroChukwu?

dayokanu:
Ndipe,

[b]All men I know below the age of 40 that dont have househelps help with household chores

[/b]

You did a survey to come up with this conclusion?