Parental Wiccaphobia and Delinquent Behaviour Among Street Children in Major Towns in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Fear of witchcraft is widespread in Akwa Ibom State, and because of this obnoxious supernatural belief, children accused of witchcraft are subjected to cruel treatment, many of whom turn to the streets and engage in various unwholesome behaviours in order to survive. The study examined how parental wiccaphobia predisposes street children to delinquent behavior in major towns in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research, guided byAlbert Cohen’s Subculture Theory, used a descriptive survey design and stratified, purposive, and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select 200 street children aged 7-17 years from Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene towns. The data were collected through Focused Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews, and analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that children accused of witchcraft were stigmatised, neglected, or abandoned due to parental wiccaphobia. These children were often abandoned on the streets after being evicted from their homes without supervision, stability, or assistance. This cycle of vulnerability and criminal activity is sustained, as their propensity to engage in delinquent behaviour increases due to trauma and marginalisation. The study suggested that community involvement and public education should be combined to protect children and debunk myths about witchcraft. Rehabilitation and strengthened social support networks can help reintegrate impacted children into society and reduce their susceptibility to delinquency. The contribution to knowledge lies in highlighting the link between parental wiccaphobia and the vulnerability of street children to delinquent behaviour, emphasising the role of cultural beliefs in child neglect and its social consequences. Further research could explore the effectiveness of community-based interventions in changing harmful beliefs and mitigating their impact on children, as well as investigating long-term outcomes for rehabilitated street children.