THE INFLUENCE OF HOME VIDEOS ON THE SOCIAL LIFE OF ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

The broad objective of this study is to examine the influence of home videos on the social life of Abia State university students.The study adopted a survey research design accompanied with data collated from both primary and secondary sources. With the aid of convenience sampling method, 147 undergraduate of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu in Abia State was enrolled as participant for the study. A self structured questionnaire was issued to the enrolled respondents of which 141 of the of the instrument were retrieved and validated for the study. Data collated from the field survey was analyzed in simple percentage using frequencies and tables. Hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square statistical tool (Spss v.2.3).From the analysis of the study, it can be conclude that The prevalence of home videos exposure among Abia State University student is high. More so, watching of home video will have any significant influence on the social life of ABSU students. The study therefore recommends that Nigerian films censors commission should placed serious efforts in scrutinizing films before they are approved for viewing by the larger audience while script writers and directors should always have at the back of their minds that Nigeria cultural heritage and national unity should be foremost in their minds when they are writing any script.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

Home video is one of the strongest media outlets and because it is widespread, it could influence the culture of the any society, especially among the younger generation. The home video business distributes films, telemovies and television series in the form of videos in various formats to the public. These are bought or rented, then watched privately from the comfort of the home by consumers. Most theatrically released films are now released on digital media, both optical (DVD or Blu-ray) and download-based, replacing the largely obsolete VHS (Video Home System) medium. The VCD format remains popular in Asia, though DVDs are gradually gaining popularity.

Movies hold a very special place in the culture of a people. “Movies, like books, are a culturally special medium…an important medium of cultural transmission (Baran, 2009:75). Studies show that movies contribute to socialization and the transmission of culture (Baran, 2009; Daramola, 2007). In contribution, Aldana (2004:1) submits that: “movies are powerful instrument that can build or destroy a people’s culture due to its conversational nature. It also plays a role in the daily lives of men and women in the way they perceive and conceived themselves and in the way they conduct their own lives”

In Nigeria there are over one million audiences of home movies films who are affected in one way or the other, by the subjects treated in Nigerian home movies. These movies portray message that have Influence on the viewers, mostly, their mode of dressing. Movies hold a very special place in the culture of a people.

In Nigeria there are over one million audiences of home movies films who are affected in one way or the other, by the subjects treated in Nigerian home movies. These movies portray message that have Influence on the viewers, mostly, their mode of dressing. Movies hold a very special place in the culture of a people. O’Rork (2006) and Wogu (2008) argue that audiences are more likely to emulate models of behavior seen on the media if they expect to receive gratification from emulating another person. Behaviour is influenced not only by personal or live models but by those presented in the mass media”. Okunna, (1999) opines that because of their special power to affect the way people think, feel and behave, this is because media have been credited with incredible persuasive ability to change attitude and behaviour and that of tertiary institution student will not be any different since they are constantly exposed to watching of home videos.

1. 1. Statement of the problem

Home video industry otherwise know as Nollywood commands a large active audience and it is almost part and parcel of every Nigerian society. The impact of home video on culture, religion and moral behaviour of university student has generated a lot of concern and uneasiness to many Nigerians. According to Okeoma (2012), many adolescent and youths in tertiary institution glued their eyes on the television watching movies of all kinds. Some movies that are may adversely affect their emotion, psychic, moral behaviour and cognitive development. The prevalence of immoral behaviour among youths has been linked with the types of programmes, movies they view.

Recent research has shown that high rate of crimes in Nigerian institution and society at large could be related to influences of bad movies or videos they watch. For instance, Ezekwu, (2013) opined that the display of pornographic films or shown during most the Nigerian movies has affected many youths and exposed them to all forms of sexual harassment like practice of homosexuality, incest to mention but a few. Practices like adultery, witch craft and ritual practices are glamorously shown; and most of the young people do not border about the end of the practice which is usually shown at the end of the movies. Marriages and family breakdown is being trivialized. Much fear looms in the area of traditional values and culture of Nigerian nation; even though some claims that it is merely for entertainment and as such does not raise any pertinent moral questions. The truth and reality of the video industry confronts us with a situation which demands immediate response;Thus necessitating the need for the study on the influence of home videos on the social life of Abia State university students.

1. 1. Objective of the study

The broad objective of this study is to examine the influence of home videos on the social life of Abia State university students. Specifically the study seeks:

1. To examine the prevalence of home videos exposure among university student.

2. To determine how watching of home videos affect the life style of Abia State University students.

3. To ascertain factors that promulgates the influence of home videos on ABSU student.

4. To inquire whether watching of home video will have any significant influence on the social life of ABSU student.

1. 1. Research Hypotheses

HO1: The prevalence of home videos exposure among Abia State University student is low.

HI1: The prevalence of home videos exposure among Abia State University student is high.

HO2: Watching of home video will not have any significant influence on the social life of ABSU student.

HI2: Watching of home video will have a significant influence on the social life of ABSU student.

1.6 Significance of the study

The finding of this study would be of benefit to producers, youths , parents and student in Abia State university as they would know which Nollywood movies affect their social behaviours. The findings of this study would be of immense benefit to the media organization especially to Actor Guild of Nigeria as the knowledge gained from these findings would help them improve the content of Nollywood movies. It will open their eyes to the effect some of their activity have on Nigerian students and thereby helping them to work around ways these activities can be reduced This study is significant to the Nigerian broadcasting commission, as it will make them improve in the ways they censor most of these Nollywood movies especially contents that are morally derogatory. Finally, the study will contribute to the existing literature and serve as a reference material to both student and scholars who wishes to conduct further studies in related topic.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on the influence of home videos on the social life of Abia State university students. It will examine the prevalence of home videos exposure among university student and determine how watching of home videos affect the life style of Abia State University students. It also ascertain factors that promulgates the influence of home videos on ABSU student. and inquire whether watching of home video will have any significant influence on the social life of ABSU student. The study is limited to undergraduate of Abia State University, Uturu in Abia State.

1.8 Limitation of the study

As every human endeavor is once faced with a constraint, the same was tenable during the period of this study. In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.  More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population (undergraduate of ABSU) in the study area (Uturu Abia State), hence the result of the study may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, States, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of terms

Home Videos: This  is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment.

Nollywood movies: The Nigerian video film industry is known as Nollywood movies in this context which means the video films packaged by the Nigerian Home Video Industry for home viewing or is the name attributed to Nigeria’s movie industry. They are usually in the video cassette format or the video compact disc format.

Social life: Social life may refer to: an individual's interpersonal relationships with people within their immediate surroundings or general public.