THE INFLUENCE OF STREET HAWKING ON EARLY MARRIAGE AMONG TEENAGE GIRLS IN AKOKO SOUTH WEST, ONDO STATE

The study aims to examine the influence of street hawking on early marriage among teenage girls in Akoko South west, Ondo State. The population of this study comprises teenage girls (aged 13– 19) who are involved in street hawking in selected communities within Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. This also includes community leaders, parents or guardians of these teenage girls. A sample of (120) respondents were randomly selected through simple random sampling techniques for the study. A descriptive research design of the survey type was used for the study. Four research questions guided the study. Questionnaire was the instrument that was used to collect information from the respondents. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages and means, to summarize the characteristics of the sample and the variables of interest. The findings revealed that Involvement in street hawking was perceived to significantly increase teenage girls’ exposure to older men, creating opportunities that could lead to early marriage, Prolonged engagement in street hawking, including many hours daily, was seen as a contributing factor to earlier marriage and increased pressure from men to marry, Street hawking was reported to negatively affect girls’ education, with many respondents indicating that long-term hawking increases the likelihood of school dropout and early marriage. Also socio-cultural factors, including parental awareness and tacit approval, poverty, and family suggestions of marriage as a solution to hardship, were identified as key influences perpetuating early marriage among girls engaged in hawking. From the findings of study, it was recommended that Government and community organizations should implement targeted programs to reduce street hawking, including creating safe spaces and alternative economic activities for teenage girls, Educational authorities should enforce policies that encourage school attendance and retention, providing support such as scholarships or school feeding programs to reduce the economic pressures that push girls into hawking. Also community leaders and parents should be sensitized on the risks of early marriage and the negative consequences of encouraging or condoning child marriage, promoting alternative pathways for girls’ development