INFLUENCE OF PARENTING STYLES ON ADOLESCENT DELINQUENCY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Juvenile delinquency is one of the emerging concerns not only in Nigeria, but also across the entire world.  The majority of juvenile delinquents are male engaged in violent and illicit crimes including rape, murder, property crimes and many more. In the era of globalization, it has been indicated that the nature of offenses are becoming more violent (Siegel & Welsh, 2014 cited Samiullah S. 2016)). Since the widespread of juvenile delinquency has become a social problem, it has become extremely important to study this problem and to evaluate the influence of parenting styles as an underlying cause of this behavior. A parenting style is a psychological construct representing standard strategies that parents use in their child rearing. The quality of parenting can be more essential than the quantity of time spent with the child. For instance, a parent can spend an entire afternoon with his or her child, yet the parent may be engaging in a different activity and not demonstrating enough interest towards the child. Parenting styles are the representation of how parents respond to and make demands on their children. Parenting practices are specific behaviors, while parenting styles represent broader patterns of parenting practices. There are various theories and opinions on the best ways to rear children, as well as differing levels of time and effort that parents are willing to invest.

Parents play an influential role in molding and shaping the behavior of adolescents.The set of strategies used by parents to put their children's behaviors under control are called parenting styles, which can be influenced by numerous factors including socio-economic variables, cultural differences, personal characteristics, and psychological factors. From this perspective, Coste (2015) recognizes the work of Baumrind, a clinical as well as developmental psychologist best known for her work on parenting styles. Baumrind identified three parenting styles based on parental demandingness and responsiveness, which included authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, and permissive parenting. The substantial influence of parenting style on adolescent development is clear. Adolescents raised in authoritative households consistently demonstrate higher protective and fewer risk behaviors than adolescents from non-authoritative families.

 Juvenile delinquency is directly linked to the behavior of parents they adopt to treat their children (Coste, 2015). Howeve, et.al (2009) cited in Samiullah S. (2016) point out that young people’s parents are more frequently blamed for the criminal or delinquent behavior displayed by their children. Some of the courts even penalize parents for the inconsiderate or antisocial conduct of their children.Juvenile is a time in which youth looks for self-identity and autonomy. Some of them engage in activities that are illicit in nature, and thus their parents become worried about their well-being. Therefore it is against this backdrop that this study is set to examine the Influence of parenting styles on adolescent delinquency.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Delinquent behavior is one of the most distressful problems during the period when people are considered adolescents, that is, between the age of 13 and 18.The list of delinquent activities include refusal to adhere to the parental demands, alcohol use and drug addiction, stealing, property destruction, theft and rape. It is a fact that opinion regarding the causes of delinquent behavior vary, but it is generally agreed that delinquent behavior in adolescent years is more common than in the group of people of other age. Furthermore, it is also argued that males are more likely to commit offenses than females.

Nevertheless, there is a noteworthy role of parents in shaping the delinquent behavior of adolescents. For example, they point out that home is the place where a normal and healthy development of any child starts and the family constitutes the backbone of an individual. From this perspective, family is considered to be a basic ecology in which the behavior of children is manifested in their childhood by way of negative or positive reinforcement. Therefore, ignorance in their parenting can lead them towards unwanted damaging effects that ultimately create behavioral problems in children.

It would not be wrong to state that adolescent delinquency is more concerned with parenting styles. Authoritarian parental style particularly plays an influential role in developing the delinquent behavior among adolescents that eventually results in negative outcomes. While the  Permissive or Indulgent, Uninvolved, Authoritative parenting style has their own effect too. Therefore it is upon this premises that this study is set to examine Influence of parenting styles on adolescent delinquency.

1.3 Objective of the study

The purpose of this study is to examine the the influence of parenting styles on adolescents. Specifically it is aimed at achieving the following:

1. To examine  the different types of parenting styles adopted by parents

2. To investigate if parents of adolescents has played any significant role in the socio-moral development of their adolescent

3. To determine if parents behaviors as role models to their children can contributes to juvenile delinquency.

4. To investigate if  parenting style  has any significant influence on adolescent delinquency.

1.4 Research Question

1. What are the  types of parenting styles adopted by parents?

2. Do parents and family play any significant role in shaping the socio-moral development of their adolescent?

3. Does parents behaviors as role models to their children contributes to juvenile delinquency?

4. Does parenting style has any significant influence on adolescent exhibiting delinquent behaviors?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study will be relevant to parents, families, counselor and the reading public. To parents it will enlighten them on the need to improve their parenting style, ensuring they keep an eyes on their children and exercise more authority for their social and moral development. as this will limit them from indulging in delinquent behaviors. To School Counselors it will equip them on coming up with qualitative therapies on how to help adolescents who involves in deviant behaviors in schools, as this will enable those children refrain from such before it metamorphose to delinquency. Finally the study will contribute to the body of literature on this field and serve as reference material for further academic research.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

The scope of this study covers the influence of parenting styles on adolescents. It examined  the different types of parenting styles adopted by parents. It investigated if parents of adolescents has played any significant role in the socio-moral development of their adolescent. It determined if parents behaviors as role models to their children can contributes to juvenile delinquency. It investigated if  parenting style  has any significant influence on adolescent delinquency.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

The following factors poses to be a limitation during the course of this research 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.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Parent: A parent is a caregiver of the offspring in their own species. In humans, a parent is the caretaker of a child.

Parenting Style: A parenting style is a psychological construct representing standard strategies that parents use in their child rearing.

Juvenile: A juvenile is a child or young person who is not yet old enough to be regarded as an adult.

Adolescent: Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. Adolescence is usually associated with the teenage years, but its physical, psychological or cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later.

Delinquency: Delinquency is a minor crime, especially one committed by a young person. Delinquency can mean a particular violation, like stealing. Delinquency, criminal behaviour, especially that carried out by a juvenile. 

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