INFLUENCE OF PARENTING STYLES ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ADOLESCENTS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The study ascertained the influence of parenting styles on social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents in senior secondary schools in Gombe State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were nine [9] as well as nine [9] research questions. Eight[8] null hypotheses were formulated . structured questionnaire was employed for the study.The population for this study was thirty thousand six hundred and sixty six adolescents (30,666) SS II students in one hundred and thirty two senior secondary schools (132) students and their parents. A sample of three hundred and twenty students in senior secondary schools in Gombe State [320] Calculated data were analyzed using frequencies and percentage to presents the bio-data of the respondent. Mean and standard deviation were used in answering the nine (9) research questions. While Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings revealed that authoritative parenting style had more influence on adolescents social behaviour and academic performance. The findings also revealed that authoritarian parenting style also had positive influence on social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents in senior secondary Schools in Gombe State. While neglectful parenting style and indulgent parenting style has negative influence on the adolescents social behaviour and academic performance. Based on findings the researcher recommended that parenting styles used by parents affect social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents in senior secondary schools in Gombe State. Also authoritative parenting style had more positive influence among all the parenting styles, like wise authoritarian also had positive influence on social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents..The study concluded that authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles had more influence on social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents in senior secondary schools in Gombe State. While neglectful parenting style and indulgent Parenting style had negative influence on social behaviour and academic performance of adolescents in senior secondary schools in Gombe State Nigeria.
 
Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a period that the child encounters numerous problems from all areas of his growth and development such as physical, mental, social, psychological, cultural and spiritual growth problems. Such is the difficulties that confront the emerging child into adulthood that some psychologists that describes it as a period of “storms and stress”. This period varies from society to society as a result of cultural variations and level of modernization. Generally, adolescents period commences between ages of 11 or 12 years to 18 or 21 years. Girls begin transition earlier than boys, about 11-12 years. Boys start between 12-14 years. It is a fact to reckon with that the youngest mother in the world was 9 years old and in America, a 10 year old was able to deliver her baby, normally without surgical intervention.
The influence of parenting styles at adolescents‟ stage is very crucial. This is because parents play tremendous roles in adolescents‟ transition to adulthood as well as the academic achievement of the adolescents.. The family unit is considered as one of the most influential components of a child‟s academic achievement due to the fact that the family is the first source of internal education for a child (Sumari, Hussein, &Siraj, 2010). More specifically, parenting styles, discipline techniques, involvement with their children and the home environment have been shown to attract a child‟s ability to academically achievement. (Sumari et al)The academic achievement of society‟s adolescents is a central focal point for society due to the idea that ensuring an education for adolescents helps promote a more successful future, parental behaviour negatively affects adolescents academic achievement.