THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Greg Duran, (2010).Communication is the bedrock of any relationship in the world today, families, schools and the world at large because information can never be exchanged or transferred without communication. As we know, communication is about sharing of ideas, sending of informations from one person to another, and it could be positive or negative, effective or ineffective. Communication involves a two-way thing; sharing of information that helps develop a common understanding between two parties and both participants have an active role to play in the process. A person transmits a message to ensure that the message is clearly delivered and understood, while the receiver of the message must be an active listener to ensure that the message sent was properly received and understood. Communication takes place only when the listener clearly understands the message that the spokesman is conveying, Communication enables parents and children to express their thoughts and feelings to one another, meaning it is very important for parents to communicate openly and effectively with their children to enable them build trust, develop honesty and respectful  relationship and this benefits not only the children but the every member of the family. Effective communication involves conversation or an exchange of information between two or more persons. Effective communication abilities are developed and might be augmented or improved with amplified understanding and practice. For communication to be considered effective there must be message sending and message receiving activities. This can be carried out using both direct and indirect approaches. Effective communication between persons occurs when the message senders and the message receivers understand the message. This can however be achieved either through speech/verbal communication or the use of nonverbal means of communication. Effective communication is an act that is intended to convey meanings from one person or group to another because of the use of signs and semiotic rules that are reciprocally understood. The platform of effective communication can be visual (through the use of eyes), auditory (the use of ears), tactile (such as in Braille through the sense of torch) and haptic and olfactory (use of nose). However, communication in humans is very exceptional for its extensive utilization of theoretical language. This has given room for social development and civilization which are basic concepts that are strongly associated with environments that promotes effective communication among its people. Effective Communication helps strengthen parent-child relationship and increases mutual understanding. In line with this assertion, the manner in which Parents communicate with their children could either make them or mar them. In the light of this assertion it becomes obvious that parents who did not speak to their child about matters of interest at a young age should not expect the child to easily express his/her questions and ideas about issues of interest when that child is of age.

The relationship between parents and their children’s wellbeing is an exceptionally  significant  element  in  the  personality formation  and particularly  the  socialization  of the child from stage of infancy  to childhood and the eventual adolescence (Meng, 1998). Children generally go through series of unstable stages with the strongest agility and the biggest catastrophe that are characterized by a sense of independence, criticalness and expectedness along with the physiological maturity. However, any breakdown or lapses in the role and rights of each party (parent and child) is inimical to the survival of the existing relationship between them. In the general context of the parent-children relationship, effective communication can be described as the ability of family members (parents and children) to exchange and interact on their needs, feelings and desires with one another and to give attention to the dynamically changing needs of the children especially in a positive way (Barnes & Olson, 1985). The effectiveness of the communication between parents and their children contributes to the survival of parent–child relationship, which invariably predicts children’s well-being (Broberg, 2012). Several pollsters that have investigated the impact of parent–child relationships on children’s wellbeing, growth and psychological health established that the lack of effective and supportive communication link between parent and children can lead young individuals into a number of social, emotional and health-related unhelpful developmental trajectories (Clayton, 2014). Effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children is a communication point of view that is generally defined by the nature of the family with respect to intimacy and trusting associations. The major goal of effective communication is to understand the interactions of parent-children relationship and the pattern of behaviors of the nuclear family members in different situations. However, open and honest communication brings about an atmosphere that enables parents and their children to make clear their differences as well as love and approbation for one another.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Evidence from some developed countries like Britain and United States of America tend to indicate that the pattern of communication adopted by parents in grooming their children may influence the children’s well-being, self esteem, and academic achievement in school. However, considering their different socio-cultural environments, the extent to which parent-child communication patterns would influence  children’s well-being, self-esteem and performances, is not yet clearly known. The researcher’s worry then is that one does not know if these patterns of communication differ among the parents. One does not know how the parent-child communication patterns effectiveness influence the children. Also one does not know how the parent-child communication patterns influence the children relationship with their parents. Put succinctly in a question form, the problem of this study is: there is a positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The general aim  of this study is to examine the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria. Specifically, the study will;

1.        Determine if there is a positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being.

2.        Ascertain if any negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship.

3.        Analyze the effect of effective parent-child communication on children.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The following hypothetical statements will be validated in the course of this study;

H01: There is no positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being.

H02: No negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important in that it helps the general reader, most importantly parents in understanding the forms, bases and positive effects of effective communication in the family structure, precisely towards the children.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Generally, the study is focused on examining the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria. However, the study will further and specifically determine if there is a positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being, ascertain if any negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship, and analyze the effect of effective parent-child communication on children. The respondents for this study will be obtained from students of some selected secondary schools in Awka, Anambra State.

1.7. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. 

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Communication: This is the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

Parent-child communication: This  is the verbal and nonverbal interaction between a parent and child within a family system.

Parent-child relationship: This is one that nurtures the physical, emotional, and social development of the child. It's a unique bond that every child and parent experience, enjoy and nurture.