DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF RECREATIONAL PURSUITS AMONG STUDENTS OF FEDERAL COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the demographic correlates of recreational pursuits among the students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria to establish the relationship and predictive values of these correlates. To achieve the purpose of the study, five research questions and six hypotheses were posed to guide the study. The research questions and hypotheses sought to identify the relationship and the significance of the relationship between the five independent variables of age, gender, year of study, religious affiliation, marital status and students’ recreational pursuits. Qualitative data were collected using a researcher made questionnaire with fourteen items. The questionnaire was used collected  data  on  the  students  demographic  variables  and  their  recreational pursuits. The questionnaire were distributed to 2130 students drawn from the area of the study. The collected data were analysed using frequencies, mean, linear and multiple regression. The result showed that there was no significant relationship between the independent (predictor) variable of year of study and students’ recreational pursuits (dependent variable) at 05 level of significance. There was however statistically significant relationship between age gender, religious affiliation, marital status and students’ recreational pursuits at.05 level of significance. It is recommended among other things that adequate opportunities for recreational pursuit should be incorporated into the academic programme of the colleges.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background of the Study

In every culture, there are hours when people are not required to engage in paid work, household chores or school work. Jones, Kennaugh and Ross (1996) revealed that the hours available to individual when the disciplines of work, sleep and other basic necessities have been met are referred to as leisure time. Opadiji (2002) stated that people need to make time for the kind of activity that will help them to recreate their mind and body.  Uti and Ojeme (2003) maintained that everyone must have time for work and time for leisure. The amount of leisure available to people has now increased through the invention of many modern time saving devices (Ward, Higson & Campbell 1994). It is during the leisure hours according to Ehanmo (1995) that people especially students engage in wholesome activities of interest which their academic engagement denies them of. In other words, the students have complete choice of what to do during their leisure time, recreation therefore has become a veritable life pursuits that can  help the students to spend their time and energy in most satisfying and refreshing manner.

Nwankwo (1988) viewed recreation as socially acceptable activities voluntarily engaged in during one’s free or leisure time which is worthwhile and gives satisfaction. Okafor (1988) added that recreation is a playful and relaxing

activity outside one’s professional area of specialization. He revealed further that recreation is aimed at occupying the participant in activities and manners different from his occupational duties. Recreation according to Umeakuka (2002) is a wide range of activities acceptable to the society in which people voluntarily engage during their leisure time because of the satisfaction they receive from doing it. Those activities are also referred to as their pursuits.

A pursuit therefore is referred to as any activity which one gives his time (Walkins  and  Watkins  1990).  Geddas  and  Grosset (2005)  viewed  pursuits  as pastime activities. From the foregoing submission, recreational pursuits could be described  as  activities  one  is  involved  in  during  recreation.  Opadiji  (2002) disclosed that there are various forms of recreational activities which constitute students’ recreational pursuits. The common recreational activities according to Uti and Ojeme (2003)  include gardening, camp  fire,  fishing, dancing, listening to music, canoeing, hiking, craft and art work, visiting, swimming, field trip and picnics. In a similar vein, Kpum and Egwu (2006) held that in order to help students develop their talents, abilities and potentialities to the fullest, schools should establish and encourage the students to enroll in such recreational activities like chess, habitat, philatelia, speech  and debating, photography, music, literacy, jet club and brain cracker among others.

Siedentop (1998) revealed the values inherent in recreational pursuits. He contended that recreation enables college students to achieve physical grace psychological ease and personal integrity. Ottong and Charles (2000) reiterated that recreation provides the major channel of youth development through civic education, leadership training, character building and community service. Quality recreation  and  general physical  activities  have  beneficial effects  on  students’ psychological well being, self-esteem, over weight and obesity (Cavil, Biddle and Sallis 2001). Mclaughlin (2002) stated that adolescent students who participate regularly in community based recreational programme experience better academic and social outcome including higher grade and career aspiration. Recreational pursuits according to Vansteenkistle, Simons and Kens (2004) are associated with increased effort in performance and persistence in doing things which contribute to successful  accomplishment  of  school  work.  Oke  (2006)  acknowledged  the buffering effects and opportunities for social support inherent in recreation. He pointed out that recreational pursuits provide opportunities for students to discuss matters that affect their common interests and life situations.

Despite the fact that active recreational lifestyle is associated with positive health and social benefit,  there exists some factors that are known to have great influence on the effective   participation of students in recreational pursuits. Demographic variables have been identified as common variables that influence

the students’ effective participation in recreational pursuits. More so, the influence has been more particularly pronounced among the students of Federal College of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Sills (1972) stated that demography is concerned with the population structure consisting of the age, sex, marital composition and other factors. Goetz (2005) contended that demography refers to the statistical study of human population especially with reference to the size and density, distribution and vital statistics of birth, marriage, death and diseases. Welk (1999) held that recreation is a multi-factoral behaviour that is influenced by psychological, social, environmental and demographic variables. This study is meant to ascertain the demographic factors influencing the students’ recreational pursuits. Therefore demography as applied to this study has to do with the social and population characteristics (dynamics) of the students which correlate with  their recreational pursuits. Specifically the study will investigate the demographic variables (factors) of age, gender, religious affiliation, year of study and marital status of the students and their influence on recreational pursuits.

London Social Survey Division (1986) pointed out that there is a general decline  in active recreational pursuits with increasing age. The survey further submitted that some home based activities such as gardening, art, and craftwork among  others  are  most  popular  among  the  middle  aged.  Torkildson  (1992)

contended that age has important influence on students’ recreational pursuits but the effects according to him depend on the individual and the type of activities. Activities differ in strength and specialized skills they require. Sleap and Tolfrey (2001) discovered that young students are more active when cumulative activity of less stringent intensity threshold is incorporated into their recreational programme. The desire for new activity varies within age group. People in their mid-adult years and the baby boomers have different recreational experiences and skills than what their  parents  did  at  that  age  (Warnick  1987).  Jackson  (1989)  found  out  that students who are currently quite active are often more likely to desire a new activity than young students with lower level of activity. This is irrespective of the type of recreational activity.

The type of recreational pursuit is also influenced by marital status. Single students are more likely to go to dance or club while married people are more likely  to  visit  the  seaside  (Torkildson,  1992).  Also  single  students  are  more disposed to encountering variety with much more freedom in choice of activities than the  married who  have  to  contend  with the  family chores  in  addition to recreational pursuits. Gregory (1993) revealed that married women integrate recreation with family and community obligation as well paid employment. Lawton, Ahmad, Hanna, Douglas and Hallowell (2006) reported that many married

Indian  and  Parkistan  complained  of  how  domestic  chores  and  other  family responsibilities pose great restriction to their leisure pursuit.

The  issue  of  gender  in  recreational  pursuits  has  generated  a  lot  of controversy and misconception. Anyanwu (1980) maintained that the pattern of women’s participation in recreation has all along been punctuated by a lot of cultural practice, false assumption, prejudice and even myth. According to him, right from time, male superiority over the female has been part of the culture of the society. Dubois (1990) added that male and female students shift orientation on the range of value depending on the activity structure. Harold (1991) reported that college girls see themselves as less able in sports and physical recreation while boys recognize them as channel of acquiring popularity. Greendorfer (1992) led credence to the earlier claim with a submission that gender differences in variety of behavioural preference and style of living is the outcome of socialization pattern of the society. Trost and Ward (1999) remarked that the interest and activity level of college girls decline at greater rate than the boys. Despite the persistent male dominance, Dada (2005) observed that Nigerian women including college girls have steadily continued to make an impact in recreational pursuits.

In addition to gender factor, religious affiliation is known to have considerable influence on recreational pursuits of the students in various dimensions. Most forms of individual religious experiences such as contemplation,

meditation and prayer have been closely associated with some form of recreation involving rest, relaxation and personal renewal. Dahl (1972) revealed that many of the   common   religious   activities   such   as   ceremonies,   festivals,   revivals, pilgrimages, retreats and conferences have provided the opportunities for both quality recreational interaction and disciplined self expression. He maintained that religion is a very significant factor in motivating people to spend their leisure in voluntary service. It also encourages personal dedication and discipline with which people engage in sports, craft, and travel.   The two common religious groups which the students identify with are Christianity and Islam.

Bucher (1979) held that early Christianity never allowed physical education and recreation to be part of school curriculum. He also pointed out that Puritan in the United State denounced recreation as unnecessary and evil. Benneth, Howell and Simri (1983) revealed that Islam forbids co-recreational activities and it also requires girls at the age of puberty to wear long dresses and cover their faces whenever they appear in public. Hordges (2001) revealed that some students’ opportunity for participation in recreational activities are usually restricted due to religious and cultural belief. More worrisome is the practice of purdah system among Muslim community in Northern Nigeria which is the extreme form of exclusion or denial of participation and right of woman (Abubakar 1990). Islam and Christianity believe in body mortification through self denial and nutritional

abstinence which have  negative  impact  in comprehensive recreational pursuits Kraus (1982). In spite of this, Ogu and Umeakuka (2005) recognized religious affiliation and recreation as agents of social rejuvenation. Today’s religious festivals exhibited through dance, choreography, biblical and quranic recitation, choral  songs,  music,  stories,  volunteering and  counselling  have  advanced  the course of recreational pursuits prevalent among Christian and Muslim students as well as other adherents.

Furthermore, students’ year of study is closely related to their recreational pursuits. It is discovered that students of the colleges who are in their final year of study are  more  preoccupied with their  academic pursuits  than other  students. Heath, Pratt, Warren and Kann (1994) remarked that as students move towards graduation a disturbing decline in participation in community recreational programme and vigorous activity is observed. Rees, Kavanagh, Harden, Shepherd, Brunton,  Oliver  and    Oakley  (2006)  held  that  the  complex  interrelationship between personal identity and educational status and degree of support from the social environment correlate with the recreational pursuits of the students. Dike (2005) confirmed that lifestyle factors like academic pressure on the students and the determination of the students to do well in the examination due to the current emphasis on paper qualification has kept many students of the college busier in academics than necessary.

It was discovered that many students in the colleges do not participate very well in most recreational pursuits.  What are the factors that are responsible for the poor  participation in  recreational pursuits  among  the  students.  Nwagu  (2006) opined that the success of any programme to a large extent depends on identification of the factors that are susceptible to its intervention. As no study has been conducted on  the  recreational pursuits of the  students with the  view of identifying the variables that influence their recreational pursuits, demographic variables are most likely to serve this predictive function in the college, hence the study is considered timely and worthwhile.

Statement of the Problem

The students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of  Nigeria,  appears  not  to  have  shown  demonstrable  interest  in  recreational pursuits inspite of the availability of some recreational facilities in their colleges. Amusa (1986) observed that there are some people that will not participate inspite of the availability of recreational facilities at their door step. Ha (1990) equally revealed that students rarely engaged in any recreation in their space time. Pinto and Marcus (1995) reported that many students of today are not adequately involved in regular refreshing exercise regimen.

This situation is however in contrast with an ideal comprehensive recreational pursuit in college. College recreation should provide the opportunity

for college students to effectively balance their academic pursuits with their leisure time activities in such a manner that will ensure quality lifestyle. Kraus (1982) submitted that recreational pursuits should be administered in such a way that the potentials of the students will be fully realized. With large block of time consisting of  weekend,  holidays,  lecture  free  days,  sports  and  extra-curricular activities schedule etc available to the students, one would have expected that there should be great participation in recreational pursuits. More so, the recent upgrading some sports facilities in the colleges would have caused a positive and improved participation of the students but the reverse appears to be the case.

Certainly the above expositions indicated an existence of a serious unsatisfactory recreational pursuit in the colleges. Yet it is not known of those correlates  (factors)  that  account  for  poor  participation  of  the  students  in recreational pursuits. But the question remains whether there are some peculiar individual characteristics (dynamics) among the students that can also influence their participation in recreational pursuits. Therefore it seems inevitable that students demographic correlates consisting of age, gender, year of study, religious affiliation and marital status be investigated to ascertain the influence on their recreational pursuits. The study becomes more imperative as no study to the best of the researcher’s knowledge has been conducted on the demographic correlates of

recreational pursuits among Students of Federal Colleges of Education in North

Central Zone of Nigeria.

Purpose of the Study

This study was designed to identify the demographic correlates of recreational pursuits among the students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to establish the

1.   relationship between age and the students’ recreational pursuits

2.  relationship between gender and the students’ recreational pursuits.

3.  relationship between year of study (educational level) and the  students’

recreational pursuits.

4.   relationship between religious affiliation and the   students’    recreational pursuits.

5.   relationship between marital status and the students’ recreational pursuits.

Research Questions

The following research questions were posed to guide the study

1.       What is the relationship between age and the students’ recreational pursuits?

2.       What  is  the  relationship between   gender and the students’ recreational pursuits?

3.       What is the relationship between year of study (educational level) and the students’ recreational pursuits?

4.       What  is  the  relationship  between  religious  affiliation  and  the  students’

recreational pursuits?

5.       What is the relationship between marital status and the students’ recreational pursuits?

Hypotheses

The following hypotheses were posed to guide the study and each of them was    tested at .05 level of significance.

1).     There  is  no  statistically  significant  relationship  between  age  and  the recreational pursuits of the students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria.

2).     Gender has no statistically significant relationship with the   recreational pursuit of     students of  Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria

3.       The students’ year of study in the college has no statistically significant relationship with their recreational pursuits.

4.       Religious  affiliation  has  no  statistically significant  relationship with the recreational pursuits of students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria

5.       There is no statistically significant relationship between marital status and the recreational pursuits of students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria

6.       The regression of students’ age, gender, year of study, religious affiliation and  marital  status  on  their     recreational  pursuits  is  not  statistically significant.

Significance of the Study

A study of this kind will be useful in many ways. The finding showed that students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria rarely engage in recreational pursuits. This information will be useful to college authorities and all those interested in recreational pursuits. The knowledge that some students rarely engage in recreational pursuits and not very often as it ought to be suggests to all the stakeholders in the recreation profession the need to intensify effort towards devising strategies for improvement in recreational pursuits.

The study also revealed that the age of the students is a significant predictor of students’ recreational pursuits. It was discovered that active recreational pursuits peaks at certain age  (29-30 years) and decline with increase in age. This finding will assist the college authorities and service providers to select and modify the activities that will suite the various ages of the students. Also offering recreational

opportunities that have carry-over values will ensure continuous participation and development of life-long recreational skills.

The study equally showed that students’ gender is a significant predictor of their recreational pursuits. The study revealed that inspite of some few activities that are mainly dominated by female, male students generally show more interest and  participated  more  in  recreational pursuits  than  the  female  students.  This information will task the college authorities, gender bodies and physical educators to find a means of removing those prejudices and misconceptions that constitute barrier to female participation in recreation. It will further task the curriculum planner in  designing the  programme of  activities that  will suite  not  only the individual gender needs but ensure balance co-recreational pursuits.

The  study  revealed that  year  of  study  is  not  a  significant predictor of students’  recreational  pursuits.  The  knowledge  of  this  will  help  the  school authority and recreational administrator to ensure that equal attention is given to all the students in recreational participation irrespective of their years of study in the college.

The study showed that religious affiliation is a significant predictor of extent of students’ recreational pursuits. The finding revealed that religion has significant influence on students participation in recreation. The college authority and service provider will be guided by this finding in provision of recreational opportunities

and experiences that will be accepted and supported by the entire religious groups. More so, the information contained there-in will task the recreation practitioners and  school  authority  to  sensitize  the  religious  leaders,  teachers,  parents  and students on the ideals and philosophies of recreation. It will remove the misconception and superstitious beliefs and other practices that negate students’ participation in recreation.

The study equally showed that marital status is a significant predictor of students’ recreational pursuits. It was found that single students have varied and wider recreational engagement when compared with  the  married who  have  to  contend  with  recreation  in addition to family chores. This finding will guide the college authority to design programme of action that integrate recreation into family chores in a manner that will further preserve the family values and responsibilities.

Scope of the Study

This  study was  delimited  to  the  demographic correlates of  recreational pursuits among students of Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone in Nigeria. The study examined in particular the following demographic variables of age, gender, year of study (educational level), religious affiliation and marital status which were identified in the literature as capable of influencing the recreational pursuits of the regular students of the college.

Beside, the study was also delimited to all the Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria. The North Central Zone of Nigeria is made up of six states. They are Benue, Plateau, Kogi,  Kwara, Nasarawa and Niger State. These states are located at the

middle belt region of Nigeria. There are only three Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria. They are Federal College of Education Okene, Kogi State; Federal College of Education Pakshin, Plateau State and Federal College of Education Kotangora, Niger State.

More so, the study was delimited to the entire regular students of the three Federal Colleges of Education in North Central Zone of Nigeria with a total number of 21,203 students. Furthermore, the study was also delimited to the total fourteen clusters of recreational pursuits (activities) which the students are known to engage in during their leisure time. (Snepenzer and Check (1982),  Ajala,  Amusa and Sohi (1989), Umeakuka (1997) and Uti and Ojeme (2003) ).

₦5,000.00 – DOWNLOAD FULL PROJECT DOWNLOAD FULL PROJECT Added to cart

---

---

---

---

---

Related Project Topics :