Search

The reason behind this study was that there was the necessity for a description of the influences of the cultural practices that influence parents' decisions and how the decisions that parents of children with special needs make in their nonparticipation in formal education in the Ikorodu community of Lagos state, Nigeria. Children with special needs are part of society and deserve equal opportunities to develop independent skills to build society. Undermining the education of individuals with special needs impedes their growth and development in society. However, few studies focus specifically on exploring the cultural practices that influence the decisions that parents of CWSN make, and how they influence the decisions that parents of children with special needs make in a rural community in a developing country like Nigeria to make on behalf of their children with special needs not to participate in formal education. This study aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of cultural practices and their influence on the decisions of parents of children with special needs to avoid participating in formal education. The study is qualitative, descriptive based on the NDM framework. It is comprised of 18 interviews, a focus group session with parents of children with special needs in the Ikorodu community of Lagos, Nigeria. Specifically, cultural practices support the beliefs that perceive individuals with a disability as a curse, taboo, evil, and inferior, so the community does not need to invest in them. Findings also uncovered a range of other factors that cultural practices that the Ikorodu community has imbibed into its structure create barriers that prevent parents of children with special needs from enrolling their children in formal schools. Discussions on the theoretical and practical implications as well as recommendations were proffered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]