DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHOPOLOGY

This study investigates the effects of gender dynamics and sexual harassment on students at the University of Benin, with a specific focus on the impact these issues have on academic performance. Gender-related challenges, including sexual harassment, continue to affect university students, influencing their overall educational experiences. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 100 students to explore the relationship between gender dynamics, sexual harassment, and academic outcomes. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation, with students who experience sexual harassment or encounter gender-based discrimination showing lower academic performance compared to their peers. The study identifies stress, fear of retaliation, and lack of institutional support as major contributors to the detrimental effects of these issues. Basedo n the findings, the research recommends the establishment of robust counseling services, awareness programs, and stronger institutional policies to address gender-based violence and harassment. This research highlights the need for comprehensive interventions to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

The participation of women in politics is a crucial aspect of democratic governance, as it not only enhances representation but also brings diverse perspectives to the policy making process. While many women actively engage in politics, others exhibit apathy. Studying women's participation in politics and its impact on democratic values can help assess the health of democracy by examining the representation and participation of women in decision-making process which is a key indicator to democracy. The study investigates the impacts of women's participation in politics on democratic values and examine the relationship between women's participation and representation in politics. The adopted research design for this study is the survey research design. The study used a Close-ended questionnaire to collect data from female academic staffs across five Faculties serving as the research method. Conflict theory was used to backup this study. Data collection took place in the environs of the University of Benin, Edo State. Data was collected and analysed using frequency distribution tables representing its objectives. During the course of this study, the quantitative approach was used to get data information from 120 female academic staffs. The findings obtained from this study shows that majority of the female academic staffs agreed that women's participation in politics can lead to a more representative governance, strengthening democratic institutions.

This study was carried out to examine married women and their migrant husbands in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Marriage is an institution very strategic to human society and in African contexts, families are involved in marital processes. Married women with migrant husbands go through series of challenges. The objectives of the study are to examine the nature of the ties between the home based spouse and her resident inlaw, to identify the coping mechanisms of the home based spouse and to ascertain the consequences of the absence of the migrant breadwinner on the home based family. The study covered Benin City and the functionalist theory was adopted for the study. The study drew sample from the population of Oredo local government area. A 100% response rate was obtained from the questionnaires that was administered. The survey method of data collection was applied in the study because it is only the method best suited for the collection of data from a sample of a chosen population of any study, which was applicable in the study. The findings from this study shows most of the respondents know what migration is, this is because their husbands are migrants. The study reveals that the main cause of husbands migrating is to seek greener pastures. This study also shows that the migration of husbands has some consequences on their resident wives. The study recommends that the government should implement that the government should develop and implement policies that will specifically address the unique needs of married women with migrant husbands. It also recommends that NGOs should establish networks and community based programs to assist married women with migrant husbands. Lastly, the government should offer educational opportunities and skill development programs for married women with migrant husbands.

This study examined the prevalence of cyber bullying and mental health among students in university of Benin. A total of 140 respondents participated in the study, providing insights into their perception on cyber bullying and mental health, and the relationship between the two. This study employed a descriptive survey research design and the data for this study was collected by using the questionnaires. The findings indicate that The mental health impact of cyberbullying was also significant, with anxiety being the most common psychological consequence, followed by depression and stress. Many students also reported low self-esteem and a sense of social isolation. These findings underscore the severe consequences of cyberbullying, affecting students’ mental well-being and overall aca demic performance. The study concluded that The low awareness of available support systems, along with their perceived ineffectiveness, highlights a gap in addressing the needs of students who are victims of cyberbullying.