Abstract
This study focused on the association between socio-economic factors
and child neglect among working mothers in Abeokuta, Ogun state. A
sample of 120 working mothers were purposively selected.
Questionnaires was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using
percentages and Chi square at 0.05 alpha level. Findings indicate that
there was significant association between the social and economic
status of working women and child neglect; for education (X2 cal. was
52.381 > than X2 tab 32.71, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant
association between occupation and child neglect (X2 cal. was 10.284 <
X2 tab 23.685). Medical neglect was found to be the most prevalent type
of child neglect, closely followed by emotional neglect, with physical
neglect being the least. Divorce and separation was found to be the
most serious cause of child neglect. Also, socio-economic status of
working women predicts neglect of children but occupation (type) did
not have a significant association with child neglect. Governments
were called upon to make medical facility more readily available so as
to discourage homemade remedies that are easily embarked upon by
parents and guardians. Also, there should be an enforcement of child
rights law by the governments while working mothers were implored
to strike a balance between social and economic status and care of their
children.