Abstract
The study investigated the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental behaviours and their involvement in non-illegal and minor-illegal delinquency in selected secondary schools, in Nairobi County of Kenya. The study was informed by Parenting models theory, Social Control Theory and Ego identity versus Role confusion theory. A co relational survey design was employed and the participants comprised 219 females and 191 male students selected by use of stratified and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and a behaviour checklist. Data was analyzed using parametric correlation statistics. The study revealed that, parental supportiveness was not related to adolescents’ non-illegal and minor-illegal delinquent behaviours. That is, the adolescents who perceived excessive parental monitoring comprised the highest percentage of those who were involved in occasional non-illegal (77.6%) and occasional minor-illegal (51.7%) delinquent behaviours. The highest percentage of the persistent non-illegal (17.5%) and persistent minor-illegal (7.7%) delinquent behaviours were those who perceived excessive parental monitoring. The lowest percentage of the adolescents who were involved in occasional non-illegal (46.2%) and persistent non-illegal (7.7%) behaviours were those who perceived low parental monitoring. The results also revealed a significant positive relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental monitoring and non-illegal, and substance abuse delinquent behaviours. The study recommended psychosocial training for parents to enhance effective parenting. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n7p390
Highlights
In the last decade, a lot of antisocial behaviours have been observed in Kenyan secondary schools
The lowest percentage (7.5%) of adolescents who never got engaged in delinquent behaviours perceived excessive parental support
The adolescents who perceived moderate support comprised the highest percentage (77.1%) of those who got involved in occasional non-illegal delinquent behaviours
Summary
A lot of antisocial behaviours have been observed in Kenyan secondary schools. Aloka & Bujuwoye, (2013) contend that, behaviour problems among Kenyan secondary school students have been on the rise over the years. In the year 2001, some students used petrol to burn a Kyanguli Boys’ Secondary school’s dormitory and some 68 students died in the inferno (Kindiki, 2004). Both 2002 and 2005 witnessed cases of arson in different Kenyan secondary schools by students (Aloka, 2012). Kithinji and Kithinji (2005) argue that problem behaviours are related to parents not spending time with their children. Some observations indicate that the role confusion observed among adolescents is linked to parents absconding responsibilities in raising their children (Muindi & Koro, 2008)
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