Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between poverty and youth deviant behaviour has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Enugu State where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Enugu State presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on poverty, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with youth deviant behaviour, particularly within Enugu State. Many organizations continue to make decisions about poverty without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect youth deviant behaviour. This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Poverty on youth deviant behaviour in Enugu State.
2. To assess the extent to which poverty influences youth deviant behaviour within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with poverty in relation to youth deviant behaviour.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing poverty in order to improve youth deviant behaviour.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of poverty on youth deviant behaviour in Enugu State?
2. To what extent does poverty influence youth deviant behaviour within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with poverty in relation to youth deviant behaviour?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize poverty in order to improve youth deviant behaviour?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its academic contribution to the field of sociology, this study has practical value for management teams within Enugu State seeking to understand how poverty translates into measurable outcomes around youth deviant behaviour. It is equally useful to students and future researchers looking for a localized empirical reference on this relationship.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to an examination of Poverty and its relationship with youth deviant behaviour within the context of Enugu State. It reflects a PhD-level scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.