CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Considerable researches such as Williams
and Williams 2005, Simon 2006, Giddens 1998, and Beck 1992, 1994, now
reveals the contribution of parental involvement in learning activities
of student as well as the school programme to positive outcomes.
However, one cannot really ascertain the contribution of either spouse
in this regards. Nonetheless, if one evaluates the social influences
upon the development of individuals, one may not likely find any other
with greater influence than the family.
The Family thus have a great role to
play in the personality of their children. The family includes the
parents (father mother and siblings) as well as the forces that come to
play on the family- Sociological, economical and personality of the
parents.
The family as a social unit is usually
recognized for its importance in many roles. The psychological role of
parent within the family needs to be understood by parents. They cater
and provide for their children during the early years of growth, a
segment of many others roles to be performed. It is pertinent to say
that intense maternal love at infancy is as important to a child as
adequate nutrition is. In other words the mother is not just expected to
provide the necessary nutritional diets, but should as well show
concern and attention for the child from the infant age and be
interested to what happens to the child.
In recent years a great deal of
attention has been focused on the assertion that children reared or
raised by single mothers are believed to be prone to delinquency, Dennis
and Erdos (1993). This is usually seen in terms of a father. The
implication of this inadequacy is that such children are likely to have a
below average academic achievement. Perhaps one may argue that it is
not the gender of the parents that matters but rather the quality of and
determination with which they take their roles. Despite this, some
researchers have posited that the single mothers are somehow raising
children in inferior settings. Thus, young and Smith (1999) conducted a
research on single mothers and came out with these; That 56% children
were more likely to be poor and delinquents than those living with both
parents who are 11% likely to be delinquents.
On the other hand the paternal behavior
also affects the academic performance of students. The influence of the
father in the family is of equal importance. The attitude of the father
towards the mother has been observed to have an indirect effect on the
child, during the nursing period.
Moreso, the working patterns of men have
been observed to have adverse effect on children. Shift work and
workaholism can all eat into the time available to spend with the
children. Obviously the nature of parental work is likely to impact
upon children, a bad day at work is often a consequent of high
temperament, and aggression is often extended to the children.
Consequently the child becomes withdrawn and does not get the right
stimulation in his or her academic activities.
Put differently, some people have argued
that fatherhood and fathering are two different things. Fatherhood
refers to the normal biological affiliation while fathering refers to
the continuous role of a “father” being provided by the male figure in
terms of living to his responsibilities. The provider for the family is
the tenet behind an old style fathering identity and although slowly
altering, it is still very strong in the contemporary society.
Field (1996) and Green (1998) also
reveals that in new labour philosophy (NLP) fathers must be responsible
for the financial provision of their family and themselves. These
provisions range from the financial needs, emotional and psychological
needs of the child. The financial needs of the children thus, are the
educational needs of the child. In line with this, world conference on
education for all (NCEFA) declared in Thailand in1990 that “Every child
person, youth and adult shall be able to benefit from educational
opportunities designed to meet their basic learning needs”. These needs
comprise both essential learning tools such as (knowledge, skills,
values and attitudes) required by human beings to be able to survive and
develop their full capacities. This affirmation was later echoed that
year at the world summit for Children (WSC) who in its final declaration
also stated that all children should have access to basic education
by the year 2000
From the foregoing we can say then, that
it is the right and privilege of the child to be educated. Hence the
parents must provide the means for these rights. According to Child
Right Act of 2003 section 15 sub section (1) states:-
“Every child has the right to free
compulsory and universal basic education and it shall be the duty of the
Government in Nigeria to provide such education.”
Every parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward attends and complete this:
- Primary school education and
- Junior secondary school education
Every parent guardian or person who has
the care and custody of a child who has completed his basic education
shall Endeavour to send the child to a senior secondary school, except
as provided for by sub section (4) of this section.
It follows too that the child’s
educational right is entrenched in the constitution and anything
contrary to this, is tantamount to infringement of the child’s rights.
However the financial status of the
parents could sometimes hinder this rights and this inadequacy could
necessitate the behaviour of either spouse as the case may be towards
the educational needs of the child.
Following this one can identify some
areas in which social economic status (SES) plays a significant role on
the academic performance of students. They could be summed up as basic
needs and experience, parental environment, attitudes and values. Each
of this will be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs
One of the basic needs of the child is
to be catered for by the parent, besides bringing the children into the
world. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide them with the
following-shelter, clothing and safety as well as food and other
educational requirements. Mc Lloyd (1998) revealed that economic
problems can lead to family and marital conflicts which results in
unstable home. Take for instance a child who goes to school on an empty
stomach may not likely be attentive in school or a child who cannot do
his assignment for lack of textbooks, or who lives in a congested
environment, may likely not get the right stimulation or reinforcement
to excel academically. Hence social economic status (SES) influences
children background experience. Trawik- Smith (1997) as well as McLoyd
(1998) in their findings posits that when children are provided with
educational activities outside the school, which helps to complement the
efforts of the teachers, only then will the student perform optimally
in their academics. This experience ranges from visits to Museums, Art
galleries, concerts and travels to historical places and learning
materials like computer system, encyclopedias, magazines, news
bulletins, and Atlas e.t.c.
Parental involvement is another area in
which social economic status plays a role in academic performance of
students. This could be considered from the perspective of parent-child
interaction. Oko (1999) says that the way a child is groomed contributes
to his development and formation of achievement motives in life itself.
Desforges and Aboucher (2003) in their findings also revealed that
parental involvement takes many forms amongst which are good parenting
in the home as well as stable environment and secured home.
Lastly, the spouse behaviour and values
poses a problem to the children especially if the paternal figure is a
Laissez- faire kind of person (Abari and Mohammed 2006). The parent
tends to play a passive role towards the academic performance of their
wards. There is virtually no guidance and direction of any sort. If
either of the parent’s academic status is below average it may likely
affect the child in that the children may not be motivated or stimulated
to learn. Such parents might be indifferent towards the academic
achievement of their children.
According to UNICEF’s report (2001),
Many Nigerian parents often send their children on the street to hawk
because of their economic and educational background. Some Nigerian
parents according to Okeke (1996) as cited in UNICEF report (2001) also
affirmed that attitudes and values of the society and parents tends
towards misplaced priorities and values. Perhaps this explains why some
parents are now interested in wealth acquisition rather than giving the
right legacy to the child, which is education.
1.2 STAEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Available researches according to
Obemeta (1995) reveals that there has been a downward trend of academic
achievement of pupils in secondary schools, especially in West African
School Certificate Examination. A cursory look at the records of result
reveals that less than 50% credit pass was achieved in English and
mathematics as well as other subject in the last few years.
Moreso, the attitude of parents as it
involves the academic performance of their children is said to be
dwindling, owing to the nature of work and personality of parent. Thus,
it is pertinent to research into the behavioural attitude of spouse as
it affects the academic achievement of their children. This is
imperative in order to bring about a probable solution to boost the
academic achievement of pupils as well as enhance good relationship
between parents and children.
1.3. RESEARCH QUESTION
- What is the attitude of parent towards student’s academic activities?
- What is the role of either spouse towards the learning activities of their children?
- What is the effect of the economic status of spouse on learning activities of students?
1.4. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H1. There will be no significant effect of parental behaviour on
the academic performance of student.
H2. There will be no significant effect on maternal behaviour on
the academic achievement of students.
H3. There will be no significant effect of economic status of
parent on learning activities of their children.
1.5. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work will be focused on
spouse reactions, contributions, commitment towards the academic
achievement of their children as well as the perception of students in
some selected secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of
Lagos State.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this research work will be useful to parent, students, teachers and the society at large.
The outcome would further sensitize and
educate the parents on the need to stir a better relationship with their
children. Moreso, the research work will serve as a stimulant for
further research in the area of parental orientation and guidance as it
relates to their children’s academic performance.
It would also be useful for international journal and publication.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Laissez – faire: In this study, it means care free, in difference attitude of parent.
Stimulation: In this study, it means making something develop or become more active.
Delinquents: In this study, it implies bad or criminal behaviour, usually of young people.
Workaholism: In this study, it means a person who works very hard and finds it difficult to do other things.
Maternal: In this study, it implies having feeling that are typical of a caring mother towards a child.
Paternal: In this study, it is connected with being a father, a kind father.
Spouse: in this study, it implies a husband or wife.