THE EFFECT OF INDECENT DRESSING ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Indecent attire and other antisocial actions such; drug abuse and cultism, has become a big concern in moral misbehavior among students of Nigerian educational schools. According to Okon, (2014), indecent or crazy dressing, also known as dress to kill is rampant among universities, polytechnics and colleges of education students, particularly the females; all in the name of wanting to look sexy, sensual, scintillating and stimulating, not remembering that they ought to look decent and responsible. Wearing skimpy clothes, also known as fitted, strapless and short blouses and sagging of trousers low waist or ass down, by boys and even girls, cleavages and sleeveless shirts, also known as spaghetti or off-shoulder, are major moral problems associated with decency in dressing faced in tertiary institutions today (Fred, 2013). Apart from the tiny and tight fitting character of these dresses, they are again transparent; displaying specific regions of the bodies that under typical wearing patterns need to be covered away from the gaze of others. Ironically, they are the known new fashion trends among students nowadays.

Nowadays, students now dress indecently due to causes such as bad parenting, peer pressure, incorrect usage of the Internet, disappearing morals as well as demonic influence among others (Aliyu, 2010). The bad effects of indecent dressing include that many of these students become victims of rape on campus; they are enticed into prostitution by classmates because of the way they dress. Subsequently, they are tempted and influenced to become members of one cult group or the other and these result in poor academic performance (Olori, 2003).

Indecent dressing has spread like an epidemic, and the sooner something is done about it, the better for our desperate and vulnerable youth's future. Thus, what constitutes indecent dressing? To adequately address this question, it is necessary to first grasp the concept of decent dressing. Appropriate dressing may be defined as the right or commonly acknowledged method of dressing that avoids exposing critical portions of the human body. On the other side, indecent clothing is an inappropriate and provocative manner of dressed in relation to the community or culture in which it is performed.

This is to say that indecent dressing cannot be adequately defined apart from societal and religious boundaries. What is indecent in your country, for example, Nigeria, is acceptable elsewhere. This highlights the assertion of some schools of thought that indecent dress is primarily a product of "foreign culture." That is to say, this style of dress is foreign to Nigerian culture and thus an affront to our very existence and identity. Egwim (2010) defined indecent dressing more precisely as the attitude of someone, male or female, who dresses to flaunt body parts such as the breasts, buttocks, or even the underwear, particularly those of the ladies that should be covered. Additionally, there are those who believe that indecent dressing has such a negative impact on morality that they ascribe religious significance to it. According to them, "indecent dressing" refers to any style of clothing that the almighty father (the creator of the universe) despises. Olori (2003) asserts that this manner of dressing is provocative, impolite, and morally repugnant. These dress patterns are morally reprehensible and reflect the high rate of moral decadence prevalent in contemporary society. To combat indecent dressing on Nigerian campuses, proactive measures must be taken to educate the student population about the potential consequences. Although many tertiary institutions are taking commendable steps to curb immorality and indecent dress on Nigerian campuses. Today, colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities across the country have introduced dress codes and strict rules requiring students to comply.

Okon (2016), points out that proper dressing of students at higher institutions has a high probability of affecting their academic performance negatively, as the output of male lecturers, in particular, can be reduced when they concentrate on such provocative dressings during lectures. Female students, on the other hand, spend a great deal of money on such pointless dresses rather than on academic materials. Additionally, their impure attire compels them to frequent discotheques, nightclubs, brothels, and hotels, where they can have fun at the expense of their studies. The possibility of some male lecturers, and even female lecturers, succumbing to such seductive dressings that could result in sexual favors between lecturers and students is always a possibility. This will undoubtedly impair the quality of education; as a result, students will be unable to perform to the expectations of their prospective employers, resulting in revenue loss for the state. Apart from that, poor academic performance as a result of indecent dressing has been linked to unemployment (Okon, 2016). This is because students who dress indecently divert their attention away from their studies and thus are unable to receive the necessary practical training required for employment by the majority of companies. And, because these companies are unwilling to spend additional money training such partially groomed graduates, they will later join criminal gangs following graduation (Okon, 2016). In light of this, this research will look into the possible causes of indecent dressing, its detrimental effects on the academic performance of students at Nigerian higher institutions and will also suggest possible solutions.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

According to Amadi (2017), these inappropriate and wrongful dressings worn by students of higher institutions have a high likelihood of affecting their academic performance negatively, as the output of male lecturers, in particular, can be reduced when they concentrate on watching such provocative dressings during lectures. Female students, on the other hand, spend a great deal of money on such pointless gowns rather than on academic work.

Additionally, their impure attire compels them to frequent discotheques, nightclubs, brothels, and motels, where they may have fun at the cost of their studies. There is also a risk that some male instructors, or even female academics, would succumb to such attractive attire, resulting in sexual favors between lecturers and students (Ben, 2015). This plainly will be detrimental to quality education; as a result, pupils will be unable to perform to the expectations of prospective employers, resulting in income loss for the state. Apart from that, low academic performance as a result of indecent attire has been related to unemployment. This is because students who dress indecently divert their focus away from their academics and hence are unable to get the necessary practical training required for employment by the majority of firms (Akande, 2014). And, because such firms are unwilling to invest additional funds in educating such partly groomed graduates, they eventually find themselves jobless.

Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of indecent dressing on academic achievement.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to examine the effect of indecent dressing on academic achievement. Specifically, this study seeks to:

i.          Determine the extent indecent dressing is prevalent in Nigerian higher institutions.

ii.        Examine the causes of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions.

iii.      Examine the effects of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions.

iv.      Determine whether indecent dressing affects academic achievement.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          To what extent is indecent dressing prevalent in Nigerian higher institutions?

ii.        What are the causes of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions?

iii.      What are the effects of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions?

iv.      Does indecent dressing affect academic achievement?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be significant to the society as the findings of this study will reveal the causes and effects indecent dressing has on students of Nigerian higher institutions.

This study will also be beneficial to school administrators and policy makers as this study will help to guide them into making appropriate policies that will curb the spread of this cancer.

Furthermore, this study will be beneficial to scholars and researchers as it will serve as an existing material for further studies and future references.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focused on the effect of indecent dressing on academic achievement. Specifically, this study will focus on determining the extent indecent dressing is prevalent in Nigerian higher institutions, examining the causes of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions, examining the effects of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions and determining whether indecent dressing affects academic performance.

Students of selected higher institutions in Edo State will serve as participants for the survey of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to the effect of indecent dressing on academic achievement. Specifically, this study will be limited to determining the extent indecent dressing is prevalent in Nigerian higher institutions, examining the causes of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions, examining the effects of indecent dressing in Nigerian higher institutions and determining whether indecent dressing affects academic performance.

Students of selected higher institutions in Edo State will serve as participants for the survey of this study, thus the sample size was limited because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, therefore the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the state.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Effect: A change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Indecent dressing: Indecent dressing simply means deliberate exposure of one's body to the public. This practice is contrary to the acceptable norms and values of the society.

Academic achievement: Is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent academic achievement

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