CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
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.