Abstract

The paper discusses socio-cultural meaning of a child and parental roles in child rights protection in Nigeria; the Tiv experience. The objective is to examine the socio-cultural interpretation, meaning and perception of a child, and the
influence on parental roles in child rights protection in pre colonial and post-colonial Nigeria societies from the Tiv experience. The Functionalist theoretical perspective was used to anchor study discourse. The paper utilized qualitative research method. Data were collected using primary and secondary sources. Under the primary source oral interview was conducted and interviewees provided varied views on Tiv world view of a child and parental roles in child right protection in Tiv society; Nigeria. Secondary source of data collection was also used and data were collected from textbooks, journals, internet sources and other library materials. The data were carefully transcribed and analyzed using both descriptive and content analytical approaches. It was found out that the Tiv people’s view of a child portray the child as a lovely, close companion and, future leader, in Tiv society and the perception influenced parental roles/ responsibilities on the protection of rights of the child from the day a child is conceived, to the day a child is born; up to adolescent stage.

Key words: Socio- cultural, meaning of a child, parental role(s), child rights.