IMPACT OF PARENTAL SEPARATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE SUDY

The function of parents in the raising of a child is fundamental. Children rely to their parents for direction, protection, and inspiration to have a fulfilling life. The collaboration of parents and teachers in instilling useful skills, behavior, and information in kids is one of the finest approaches to accomplish healthy aspects of education (Dautscher & Ibe, 2003). Academics are one of the most significant areas of a student's life; with excellent marks, students may get into schools and universities and get degrees that will help them to find employment that they want. If the student's parents' relationship is unstable and riddled with conflict, it might have an impact on the student's academic achievement. Afifi (2013); Brown (2012); Overland (2012)

According to Udansky and Wolf (2008), solo parenting is a big issue that is on the rise. Parental divorce is a typical occurrence in the society today, but it remains a major source of stress for the individuals involved, with potentially serious effects for the mental and physical health of all members of the family. Separation's impact on child academic performance has been the focus of research for several decades, and it has long been seen as the root cause of a variety of significant and long-lasting behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents (Kelly & Emery, 2003).

According to Park and Kim (2003), the mother has historically played a significant role in the care of the family. The moms look after them, listen to their issues, and provide answers. Mothers have a critical role in ensuring that their children have a pleasant childhood and a meaningful adult life. According to research on parent-child relationships, a father can contribute uniquely to the development of a kid, regardless of the mother's input. However, when it comes to concerns such as emotions, intelligence, self-esteem, competence, and confidence, the father cannot be readily substituted by the mother (Park and Kim 2003).

According to Forman and Davies (2003), during adolescence, the individual develops mentally to manage and endure with the stress and strains that they confront. The biological temperament of a child is critical in the emergence and resolution of separation (Davies 2003). According to Ekundayo and Oyeniyi (2008) and Adebule (2012), the society is dealing with many adolescent student behavior problems, such as truancy, disobedience, drug addiction, smoking, flirting, stealing, armed robbery, examination malpractice, cultism, thugery, sexual abuse, sex activities, indiscriminate sex, and homosexual (gay and lesbianism) (Omotosho, Adeniyi and Bada 2010).

According to Udansky and Wolf (2008), solo parenting is a big issue that is on the rise. Parental divorce is a typical occurrence in the society today, but it remains a major source of stress for the individuals involved, with potentially serious effects for the mental and physical health of all members of the family. Separation's impact on child academic performance has been the focus of research for several decades, and it has long been seen as the root cause of a variety of significant and long-lasting behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents (Kelly & Emery, 2003). The biological temperament of a child is critical in the emergence and resolution of separation (Davies 2003). According to Ekundayo and Oyeniyi (2008) and Adebule (2012), the society is dealing with many adolescent student behavior problems, such as truancy, disobedience, drug addiction, smoking, flirting, stealing, armed robbery, examination malpractice, cultism, sexual abuse, sex activities, indiscriminate sex, and homosexual (gay and lesbianism) (Omotosho, Adeniyi and Bada 2010).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The issue of parental separation is a growing social problem that has recently been a topic of conversation; it is distressing for those who experience it. Grief, shame, wrath, disappointment, strong indignation, and split loyalties may be experienced by those impacted. Adebowale (2006) discovered in a research on the social behavior of teenagers as it influences their moral conduct that the type of household that the adolescent comes from has a significant impact on the sort of attitude that he would acquire and his academic success. Parental divorce has a significant and lasting influence on the lives of all students. The state of the house or the marital status of adolescent parents says a lot about the child's life. Separated households have been identified as a critical factor contributing to anti-social behavior and low academic achievement in secondary school youth. Olusola (2008) thought that teenagers whose parents live apart may become wayward, rowdy, or engage in sexual misbehavior as a method of seeking affection that was absent in their unhappy family home. Many studies have found that adolescents from unstable or split families have low academic achievement and immoral behavior, as well as less sufficient parental teaching in moral and social views (William, 2002).

 Single parenthood can occur when either the male or female decides to create and raise a child or children outside of the marriage; parents can assist their children in making a seamless transition following a divorce (Wolf 2008). When setting disciplinary and behavior standards for their children, parents may demonstrate a dependable and cooperative parenting style (Carlson and Hines, 2003).This study therefore intends to assess parent separation on the academic performance of secondary school students.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to find out the effect of parental separation on the academic performance of secondary school students; the specific objectives is to:

i.          To examine various reasons for parental separation

ii.        To identify effects of parental separation on adolescents

iii.      Determine if there is any relationship between parental separation and academic performance of the adolescents

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will guide the researcher to achieve the specific objectives:

i.   What are the various reasons that leads to parental separation?

ii.        What are the effect of parental separation on adolescents?

iii.      What is the extent to which parental separation affect student academic achievement?

iv.      Is there is any relationship between parental separation and academic performance of the adolescents?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is the view of the researcher, that the study would give possible suggestions that would help the government, and other educational stakeholders in resolving many family/marital problems in the following ways: It is the believe of the researcher that, if parental separation is discouraged through formulation of suitable marriage policies by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), civil society, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the various traditional authorities, it would help improve the academic performance of students. Various religious bodies could adopt the findings to promote effective social work, guidance and counseling and marriage counseling services in their educational institutions and churches. The study would serve as a source of information for teachers, guidance and counseling coordinators, parents, social workers and nongovernmental organizations. Finally, it is envisage that this study may be useful for other researchers who are in need of literature and method of improving upon their findings further.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study borders on the impact  of parental separation on the academic performance of secondary school students. The study will further discuss factors responsible for parental separation which exerts influence on student academic performance. The study is however delimited to secondary schools in Jalingo Local government area in Taraba State.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only selected secondary schools in Jalingo Local government area in Taraba State. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other secondary school  in other  States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Parent: a person's father and mother

Student: a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school.

Separation: the process by which the couple leaves the home or decides to stay on his or her own.

Academic performance: is the outcome of education at the extent to which a student has achieved their educational goals.

Adolescence: the transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adult.

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