CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The word “Adolescence” comes from the Latin word adolescere meaning “to grow into maturity”. It ranges between childhood and adulthood, it covers the period from age 12 till the early 20.

According to Unachukwu and Ebenebe (2007) stated that the common denominator in all adolescent experiences irrespective of cultural variations is the biological changes from childhood into mature adults’ status capable of reproduction.

It is also a time of enormous physiological changes; adolescence is also marked by changes in behaviour and expectations. It is regarded as a prelude to and preparation for adulthood, a transitional period of life between immaturity and maturity as well as having to deal with the question “who am I”. The adolescent must also deal with the question “who will I be” (Gross and Mc Illveen, 1998). This is ongoing in Nigeria today; there have been significant changes in the lives of most adolescents in Nigeria. Some of these changes are as a result of the friends, peer group, and media especially cable television (DSTV).

Cable television (DSTV) plays a role in the development of a child from the period of adolescent to adult; the noticeable effect of cable television (DSTV) can be reflected in the academic performance, the level of socialization and creativity among adolescents in Nigeria (Maduewesi, E. J. (2005).

The most pronounced effect is seen on the level of academic performance and socialization among adolescent in Nigeria. The spread of DSTV television channel and other television channels have exposed children to foreign programs. This has made the world a global village where what is watched on television in the developed countries is equally watched in developing countries hence the proliferation of negative effects like poor pre-school performance, aggressive behavior, and English, Mother tongue languages impediment among others (Zevenbergen, 2007).

The parents or guidance can help curb the negative effect of cable television (DSTV) on adolescents in Nigeria by exposing them to right and wrong at the early stage of development; this by default will shape the mindset of children from the early stage of development to adult stage. The study in this regard wishes to examine the influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization using Grange schools GRA, Ikeja as the case study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The cable television (DSTV) is considered the most entertaining among other forms of media; but inasmuch as  creating an avenue for relaxation purposes, there are some disadvantages attached to it; some of these disadvantages in seen in the level of adolescent creativity, the academic performance and the level of socialization among adolescent in Nigeria. Some of the cable television (DSTV) channels are educative while some are violent but most adolescents are easily influenced by the violent channels of cable television (DSTV), this therefore lead to behavioural changes both at home and in their learning environment; the effect of the violent cable television (DSTV) channels give rise to truancy, deviant behavior exhibited by most students in junior and secondary schools. But if children are properly guided by parents and guidance the effect will be controllable.

        According to Austin (1992) points out that; Television watching can have positive effects on pre-school children if well guided by parents and guardians. Television watching as a learning process can promote general learning as well as pre-school children’s academic performance either negatively or positively (Nganda, 2007).

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1.  To determine the relationship between cable television (DSTV) and the academic performance of students in Grange schools GRA, Ikehja

2.  To determine the effect cable television on morality level and socialization among students in Grange schools GRA, Ikeja

3.  To examine the effect of educational programs on cable television on adolescent creativity

4.  To determine ways of improving socialization among adolescents using educational programs from cable television (DSTV)

5.  To determine the roles of parents, teachers and guidance in the restriction of adolescents to violent movies or programs shown on the cable television (DSTV)

6.  To determine the effect cable television (DSTV) on the level of truancy among adolescents

7.  To proffer solution to the above stated problems

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

1.  What is the relationship between cable television (DSTV) and the academic performance of students in Grange schools GRA, Ikehja?

2.  What is the effect cable television on morality level and socialization among students in Grange schools GRA, Ikeja?

3.  What is the effect of educational programs on cable television on adolescent creativity?

4.  What are the ways of improving socialization among adolescents using educational programs from cable television (DSTV)?

5.  What are the roles of parents, teachers and guidance in the restriction of adolescents to violent movies or programs shown on the cable television (DSTV)?

6.  What is the effect cable television (DSTV) on the level of truancy among adolescents?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis 1

H0: cable television (DSTV) has no significant effect on adolescent creativity

H1: cable television (DSTV) has significant effect on adolescent creativity

Hypothesis 2

H0: cable television (DSTV) does not influence the level of socialization among adolescents

H1: cable television (DSTV) influences the level of socialization among adolescents

Hypothesis 3

H0: the impact of cable television (DSTV) on the academic performance of students is low

H1: the impact of cable television (DSTV) on the academic performance of students is high

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The findings from the study onthe influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization will be of immense benefit to the following:

The society: to the society, the findings from the study will educate the society on the benefit of socialization and well being of adolescents.

Grange schools: the findings study will lead students to educational programs on cable television (DSTV) as this will help improve the academic performance of students in Grange schools

Adolescents: the findings from the study will educate the adolescent on how to improve themselves to become relevant to the society

The government: the findings from the study will help the federal government of Nigeria in seminar preparations for secondary schools students, to monitor truancy and deviant behavior among secondary school students

Researchers: the study will be of immense benefit to other research students that wishes to carry out similar research on the above project work

Literature: the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature onthe influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study onthe influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization is limited to Grange schools. The study will cover the impact of cable television (DSTV) on the academic performance of students, the roles of parents, teachers and guidance in the restriction of adolescents to violent movies or programs shown on the cable television (DSTV) and also the relationship between cable television (DSTV) and the academic performance of students in Grange schools GRA, Ikehja.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

ADOLESCENT: the process of developing from a child into an adult.

SOCIALIZATION: the activity of mixing socially with others.

CREATIVITY: the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.

TRUANCY: the action of staying away from school without good reason; absenteeism.

DEVIANT: departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviour.

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