Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between early marriage practices and youth deviant behaviour has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria 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 early marriage practices, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with youth deviant behaviour, particularly within Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria. Many organizations continue to make decisions about early marriage practices 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 Early Marriage Practices on youth deviant behaviour in Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.
2. To assess the extent to which early marriage practices influences youth deviant behaviour within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with early marriage practices in relation to youth deviant behaviour.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing early marriage practices in order to improve youth deviant behaviour.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of early marriage practices on youth deviant behaviour in Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria?
2. To what extent does early marriage practices influence youth deviant behaviour within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with early marriage practices in relation to youth deviant behaviour?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize early marriage practices in order to improve youth deviant behaviour?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around youth deviant behaviour. For managers and practitioners within Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, the study provides practical insight into how early marriage practices can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on sociology by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this study confines itself to Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, focusing specifically on how early marriage practices relates to youth deviant behaviour within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.