CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The frequency of delinquent behaviors amongst adolescents in Nigeria is worrying and point to nothing but doom to the future of the nation. Studies on delinquent behaviors have mainly centered on using dirty language, truancy, smoking and drug abuse (Clinard & Meier, 2008). Instances of students using foul languages, stealing, pilfering, bullying other students and endangering teachers in public schools have become widespread. It appears that schools are powerless when it comes to students' delinquent behaviours; and the academic authority does not have effective steps in place in handling these issues. Some teachers attribute the cause of students' delinquent behaviors to teachers lacking the right to use physical punishment, as it is forbidden in the present academic policies. Additionally, physical punishment violates students' human rights and only temporarily curbs students' delinquent behaviors. Manifestation of delinquent behaviors is just one of the significant issues connected with adolescents in secondary schools today. The pervading occurrence of delinquency amongst adolescent is worrying and calls for major consideration.
The word ‘adolescence' is used to explain the transition phase between childhood and adulthood (Summers & Bakken, 2006). This implies that adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. Colman (2003) sees it as period of development from the onset of puberty to the achievement of adulthood starting with the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics, typically between 11 and 13 years old, continuing with the teenage years and terminating lawfully at the age of maturity, typically 18 years old. An individual in the period of adolescence is called an adolescent. Juvenile delinquency is considered to be the involvement in unlawful behavior by minors (adolescents) (Oladele, 2005). While a delinquent describes an individual that commits a misdemeanor.
Bingham, Shope, & Raghunathan (2006) describe such behaviors which are socially proscribed/restricted as problem behaviors. Any type of behavior that falls short of societal standards, values, ideas and expectations are unfavorable behaviors (Okorodudu and Okorodudu, 2003). Boroffice (2003) thinks that elements such as organic social, see of self, mindsets, ideas, feel of his future and so on., are a few of the elements that predispose teenagers to undesirable behaviors or delinquency.
A number of studies carried out on factors that precipitate the development of delinquency amongst adolescents (Okorodudu and Okorodudu, 2003; Eke, 2004; Eke, 2004a) stress that adolescence is a period of stress and storm. Eke likewise observed that the period is defined by rebelliousness. This is triggered by non-conducive psychological environment. Okorodudu and Okorodudu (2003) noted ecological factors; social elements, physical elements, mental factors; peer group influence, drug abuse and the family factor as reasons for delinquency amongst adolescents. Eke (2004) observed that reasons for adolescent delinquency have the tendency to discover theoretical explanations in the interaction between biological, environmental and social elements. The researcher believes that the organic or genetic make-up of people can predispose adolescent's involvement in delinquent activities.
The Nigerian government had developed and employed a number of steps targeted at suppressing adolescents' delinquency in our culture however to no avail. For example, establishment and administration of juvenile justice; promulgation of juvenile laws and courts, establishment of remand homes, facility of security and police agency and so on. Lots of scientists concur that the structure of adolescent delinquency is rooted in the type of house the adolescent is raised (Odebumi, 2007; Otuadah, 2008; Utti, 2006). The basis for good behavior orientation and great adolescents' mindset development is established on favorable parenting. Okpako (2004) stated that the parents ought to be criticized and be made to take responsibility for the misfortune that befalls their adolescents. Thus, the study wants to analyze the effect of family history and the advancement of delinquent behavior amongst teenagers.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
For some students, parental care is missing and they lack communal activities to involve them in helpful skills, while some do not have sufficient training and mentoring to help them acquire great behavior and life skills. The result of adolescent delinquency, such as thuggery, kidnapping, burglary, terrorism, rape, insurgency and so forth, can be really devastating in any given society. Nigeria and the whole world are currently experiencing a few of the unfavorable effects of juvenile delinquency. It has, for that reason, become essential to deal with a few of these various factors responsible for alarming increase of juvenile delinquency in the society.
Painfully, global crime rate is increasing year by year particularly juvenile crimes, which are obstacles for the growth of the society. A great deal of researches is conducted practically every year in most of the regions of the world for figuring out main reasons and development of juvenile delinquency, exposes the scarcity of researches in this field, which if tackled, adolescents can improve qualitatively and those who are involved in crimes they can be assisted/stopped by attempting to reduce the causes that aids in development of such delinquent habits.
Delinquent behavior represents series of problems experienced in the teaching and learning process, particularly in the school context however likewise in the family and the society at large. Delinquent behaviors like cheating, stealing, fighting, substance abuse/addiction, truancy, sexual promiscuity, lateness to classes and bullying have contributed in no small measure to the disintegration of values that is slowly washing away the high quality and beauty of secondary schools in Nigeria, which obviously spells dooms for different aspects of national life, delinquent behaviors accounts for one of the major elements that impact the academic performance of school children since both the victim and perpetrator are generally depressed and nervous. If nothing is done to stem this awful trend, Nigeria will deal with an overall erosion of discipline and ethical standard amongst the youth population. This consequently will present a great danger to the economy, unity and progress of the nation.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The primary objective of this study is to explore family background as determinant of delinquent behaviours among adolescents: a case study of some selected delinquents by using Lagos State Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre, Isheri, as a case study. The specific objectives include:
i) To ascertain the relationship between family structure (family size, marital status of parents and single parenting) and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours.
ii) To understand the relationship between parenting styles and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours.
iii) To investigate the influence of parent socio-economic status on delinquent behaviours among in-school adolescents
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:
i) What is the relationship between family structure (family size, marital status of parents and single parenting) and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours?
ii) Is there any relationship between parenting styles and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours?
iii) What is the influence of parent socio-economic status on delinquent behaviours among in-school adolescents?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
i) There is a significant relationship between family structure (family size, marital status of parents and single parenting) and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours.
ii) There is no significant relationship between parenting styles and adolescents’ delinquent behaviours.
iii) There is no significant influence of parent socio-economic status on delinquent behaviours among in-school adolescents
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings from this study will be useful to the entire community especially parents, teacher and counsellors.
The findings of this study shall aid these stakeholders understand the behaviours of adolescents and it roots. This will help them properly manage students labeled as delinquent in school and in the society. Counsellors will use the knowledge from the findings to better orientate parents on better ways of parenting their children.
In addition, these findings will be useful to parents in that they will gain awareness on how their behaviours either influence adolescents’ delinquency positively or negatively. It will also help parents know that the environment they create for children especially adolescents is very important in either shaping their behaviours or resulting to problem behaviour as delinquency in adolescents. Its finding will also add new knowledge to education, thereby bringing advancement in knowledge.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study on the family background as determinant of delinquent behaviours among adolescents will be carried out among 100 selected adolescents in Lagos State Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre, Isheri.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The study was conducted only amongst a limited number of adolescents in Lagos State Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre, Isheri, Lagos. Therefore, the findings would not be generalizable to other parts of the country.
1.9 Definition of Terms
The key concepts are discussed below and henceforth used thus throughout the study.
Adolescence: According to Macmillan English Dictionary For Advanced Learners (MED) (2002), the concept “adolescence’’ refers to a stage of development from childhood to adulthood, while in the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Digital Dictionary (MWCDD) (2003), it refers to a period of development “from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority’’, in which the adolescent is in search of his/her own identity. The concept “adolescent’’ thus refers to one who is in the stage of adolescence.
Juvenile and delinquency: it refers to children or young people. However, when they display conduct that is discordant with social norms or the law, they are described as juvenile delinquents. The concept “delinquency” thus refers to the delinquent behaviour (See MWCDD, 2003). Marte (2008: 2) and Gottffredson (2001: 4) concur with this definition and add that it can also be a component of problem behaviour.
