Parenting Styles among Adolescents’ Secondary Schools Students towards Pre-Marital Sexual Behaviours in Ibadan Oyo State

Parenting Styles among Adolescents’ Secondary Schools Students towards Pre-Marital Sexual Behaviours in Ibadan Oyo State

Akinnubi C.  F. (Ph.D), Elugbaju J. O. (M.A.)

Department of Kinesiology, Health Education and Recreation, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Nigeria

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.806034

Received: 22 May 2024; Accepted: 11 June 2024; Published: 29 June 2024

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the parenting styles and per-marital sexual behaviours among adolescents’ secondary school students. A total of 232 students were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Self-constructed instrument was used to elicit information for this study. This was validated by the experts and reliable with a coefficient of 0.88. The data collected were subjected to statistical computation. Findings showed that fathers were authoritarian and lacked the responsibility of the child’s needs, while mothers were authoritative and Permissive. Lack of parental monitoring, porno films, poverty, Individual upbringing and environmental influence were factors that could influenced sexual behaviours. Unwanted Pregnancy, Abortion, Depression, and suicide were health treats that can occur through pre-marital sexual behaviours. Peer group, Porno Films, mass media, society and Patent Medicine Store were sources of sexuality information. There was a significant relationship between factors influencing sexual behaviours and the information on sexuality and a significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours. It was recommended that parents should monitor and provide for the needs of their children. School administrators should facilitate co-operation and communication among parents, schools, and other concerned bodies.

Keywords: Parenting Styles, Adolescents, Secondary Students, Pre-Marital, Sexual Behaviours

INTRODUCTION

Parenting is the progression of raising child or children from birth into adulthood, and offer them with safety, care and ensure the healthy development of individual in their environment. Parenting is also the promoting and supporting the physical, social, emotional, spiritual and mental development of a child from early stages to adulthood). According to a study conducted by Pradanie, Amini, & Untari (2020), the dependent variable was the pre-marital sexual behaviour among adolescents, while knowledge, economic, lifestyle and cultural values, family and social support, religiosity, rules and policies and technology were independent variables with the religiosity having the highest motivating factor to prevent irregular behaviour about sexuality among these adolescents.  Parenting is the process of reassuring and supporting the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of a child from early stages to maturity (Barnes 2002).

Sarwar (2016), in his research study found out that the parents should look after their children, spend more time with them, to reduce their problematic behaviours. In a study conducted by Wang’eri and Otanga (2013), a sample of 217 secondary school adolescents from Kenya, aged between 12-20 years were used for the family factors related to adolescents’ sex behaviour. Good parenting entails how parents are able to understand and utilize the concepts of good parenting, the idea of parenting, the importance of parenting and children’s needs. Good parenting styles and caregiving are essential for the child’s maturity (Purva, Shiv, Puja, and Vasant 2022). There are four various types of parenting styles, and these are; permissive parenting/indulgent parenting, authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting/controlling parenting, and uninvolved parenting/neglecting to parent (Purva, et al 2022).

Findings on this study discovered that the child should be monitored to protect them against adolescents’ sexual risk. It was further revealed in their study that adolescents who were closely watched had fewer incidents of engaging in sexual behavior (Wang’eri and Otanga 2013). Kabiru et al, (2014), stated that there were further studies with similar results on premarital sex among students. According to sqtudy conducted by Yusefi et al 2016), adolescents under parenting styles can either have firm control, responsiveness, and can have two as fore mentioned or lack both depending on the parenting styles implemented. Parenting styles contained two main essentials: parental demandingness (control) as well as parental responsiveness (warmth) (Yusefi et al 2016). On the study conducted by Purva, Shiv, Puja, and Vasant (2022), it was observed that the danger of depression rises in adolescence and the main reason for the increase in depression in children were attributed to when the parent are not cooperating, so also are stress, peer pressure, and social and family relationship problems.

Pooja, Bhavani, (2021), stated that a pre-school aged child’s social emotional development can be influenced in various ways early enough when the parents used the suitable parenting style to bring up the child at home. Kirgu & Zabin, (2008) revealed that adolescents do replace one form of risky behavior with other likely risky sexual behavior which could be very dangerous. According to Milter and Ginsburg (2012), Aboud and Yousafzai (2015), and Fierloos, et al (2022), the media entirely used to increase awareness of parenting styles and information. It improves parenting services and reduces depression, anxiety, and stress; it also helps the parents expand the skills of the parent-child relationship and help in the child’s well-being. Burchinar, Vernon-Faegans & Cox, (2008), stated that cumulative risks variables and factors  are stronger predictor of parenting styles.

According to Barett, Deng, Mills-Koonce, Willoughb & Cox (2008), less responsive parenting was related to doubtful attachment for both mothers and fathers, because the parenting mechanisms connected with insecure attachment varies and are always complex. In a study conducted by Pooja, & Bhavani, (2021), it was revealed that parenting style did influence the social and emotional growth of preschool children. And that majority of the parent (88.5%) used authoritative parenting style in many homes. It was further revealed in their study that there was no significant correlation between permissive parenting style and social emotional increase. According to Harris (2011), media has greatly influence sexuality in adolescents. In the recent time, adolescents have fully engaged themselves in mass media, reading of literature books and all the likes in search for sexuality, which affect their perception and attitudes towards sexuality. Likewise, television and internet also expose adolescents to literatures and movies with sexuality content which influences their perception about sexuality (Kanuga & Rosenfeld 2004).

Adolescents have the tendency to be more sexually energetic and do engage in risky behaviour (Garn 1992, Susman, Dorn and Schiefelbein 2003). Adolescents do often have alleged condemnation by parents as regards sex (Halpern, Waller, Spriggs & Hallfors 2006).  Pooja & Bhavani (2021), stated that a pre-school aged child’s social emotional development can be influenced in various ways early enough, when the parents used the suitable parenting style to bring up the child at home. Kirgu & Zabin, (2008) revealed that adolescents do replace one form of risky behavior with other likely risky sexual behavior which could be very dangerous.  In a study conducted by Nyangoya, Muriithi & Ntarangwe (2022), teenagers were quite resilient with an average mean of 15.43 out of 19.00 which was deemed high. The authors further revealed that the sexual behaviours of the teenage girls were often affected in countless forms even if there were high or low responsiveness and demandingness.

Misron. & Husain (2020, stated that there is prevalence of poor sexual knowledge and permissive pre-marital sexual attitudes are very low and variables concerned with high-risk sexual behavior namely reading and watching pornography, masturbation and sexual fantasy.  According to the study conducted by Misron & Husain (2020), permissive attitude of adolescents in premarital sex is connected with dangerous sexual behaviours. In a study by Shrestha (2019), revealed that unwanted and teenage pregnancy, abortion, STIs, HIV/AIDS, substance use, suicide, depression, loss of family support, loss of self-respect, and regret are health implications of premarital behaviours of adolescents.

Statement of the problem   

Pre-marital sexual activities are supposed to be preserved till marriage, but the prevalence of premarital sex among adolescents’ students with its accompanying consequences called become very serious in the lives of these adolescents and also need attention. The rigidity of the parents towards adolescents’ behaviours towards sexually had led many of these adolescents into indiscriminate sexual practices. The parental styles, sexual activities, sources  of information on sexuality call for urgent attention among these adolescents, hence this study:

Purpose of the study

This study examined the influence of parenting styles among adolescents’ secondary school students towards premarital sexual behaviors in some selected secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Objectives of the study            

The specific objectives of this study were to:

1. Examine the parenting styles adopted by the parents among adolescents’ secondary schools students towards pre-marital sexual behaviours in Ibadan Oyo State

2. Ascertain parenting styles using other factors that can influence pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents in Ibadan Oyo State.

3. Determine the health treats that can occur from pre-marital sexual behaviours in the study area

4. Ascertain where the adolescents receive the information on sexuality in the study area

HYPOTHESES

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between the parenting styles adopted by parents and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ho2: There is a significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in the study area.

METHODOLOGY

This study employed descriptive survey research design. The purpose was to determine the influence of Parenting style on premarital sexual behaviour of adolescents and other factors that can influence pre-marital sexual behaviours of these adolescents. The health treats that can occur from pre-marital sexual behaviours and where the adolescents receive the information on sexuality. The sample consists of students from the secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for this study. In the first stage, six secondary schools were selected using simple random sampling technique. Second stage, a class each was selected from SSS 2 and SSS 3 classes making a total of 12 classes for the study. Third stage, a total of 20 respondents were selected from 10 schools, while the rest 2 classes had 16 respondents each making a total of 232 respondents using purposive sampling technique for selection. Therefore, the total number of respondents used were those having both father and mother. Fourth stage, these respondents were stratified based on gender during the selection with simple random sampling technique. Self-constructed instrument containing two sections were used to measure variables for the study.  Section A: This comprised structured items for the bio data, mainly about the participants’ gender, class, age, and ethnicity. Section B: This consisted of questions on parental styles and forms of sexual behavior among adolescents. The Likert format of strongly agreed, agreed, strongly disagreed, and disagreed was used to answer all the objectives in this study. The instrument (questionnaire) used for this study was validated by the experts on this area of the study. All questionnaire given out to the respondents with the help of the trained research assistants were collected back on the spot. Reliability of the research instrument was through a pilot study and was reliable. Data collected were coded and analyzed using simple percentage to identify percentage distribution of each objective. Chi-square, and t-test were to interpret the responses at significant level.

Table 1: Analysis of Demographic Characteristics of Respondents.

The results in table 1 showed that 104 (44.8%) were male respondents while 128 (55.2%) were female respondents. A total of 70 (30.2%) of the respondents were SSS 1 class, 88 (37.9%) and 74 (31.9%) were SSS 2 and SSS 3 classes respectively. Results also revealed that 192 (82.8%) of the respondents were between the ages of 13-17years, while 40 (17.2%) respondents were 18years and above. Also, 152 (65.5%) of the respondents were Yoruba, 46 (19.8%) were Igbo, while 20 (8.6%) and 14 (6.0%) respondents were Hausa and other ethnicity respectively. A total of 140 (60.4%) respondents said their parents did stay together, 42 respondents said their parents were not staying together. Twenty-two respondents stated that their parents were divorced, while 28parents stated that one of their parents were no more living (deceased).

Research Objective 1: Examine the parenting styles adopted by the parents among adolescents’ secondary schools’ students towards pre-marital sexual behaviours in Ibadan Oyo State

Table 2: Percentage distribution of adolescents’ parenting styles.

The results from table 2 showed that 36 (15.5%) and 38(16.4%) of the respondents revealed that their fathers were authoritative (supportive and very firm), it was observed that many of their fathers were authoritarian (Command and Strict), and also neglectful/Uninvolved (lack of responsiveness to child’s needs). It was observed that very many of the respondents identified that their mothers were (Supportive but very firm) authoritative and Permissive (warm and nurturing). Generally, according to the responses of the respondents, very few of the respondents’ mother were (Command and Strict) authoritarian, Neglectful/Uninvolved (lack of responsiveness to child’s needs. The above finding showed that the mothers were the one always with their children. This was why the mothers were always supportive but very firm, warm and nurtured their children very well, and never lacked of their child’s needs.

Research Objective 2: Ascertain parenting styles using other factors that can influence pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents in Ibadan Oyo State.

Table 3: Distribution of respondents using other factors that can influence pre-marital sexual behaviours of the adolescent’ students.

Table 3 above showed that 112 (483%) and 88 (37.9%) respondents strongly agreed and agreed that peer group could influence sexual behaviours respectively. Likewise, majority of the respondents identified that lack of parental monitoring, porno films, poverty, Individual upbringing and environmental influence were factors that could influenced sexual behaviours. But many respondents strongly disagreed and disagreed to Societal attitude towards sex and Cultural influence as factors influencing pre-marital sexual behaviours.  The above finding implied that there were various factors that influenced pre-marital sexual behaviours.

Research Objective 3: Determine the health treats that can occur from pre-marital sexual behaviours in the study area  

Table 4: Distribution of respondents on health treats that can be contacted from pre-marital sexual behaviours.

From table 4 above, it was observed that very many of the respondents stated that Unwanted Pregnancy, Abortion, Depression, and suicide were health treats that could be contacted through pre-marital sexual behaviours. In the other hand, many of the respondents strongly disagreed and disagreed that Loss of self-respects, regrets, and STIs were factors that were health treats that can be contacted from pre-marital sexual behaviours.

Research Objective 4: Ascertain where the adolescents receive the information on sexuality in the study area.

Table 5: Distribution of where respondents receive information on sexuality.

Table 5 above showed that very many of the respondents strongly agreed and agreed to Peer group, Porno Films, mass media, society and Patent Medicine Store as factors that could helped adolescents’ students received information on sexuality. In respect to teachers, school and family members, many respondents strongly disagreed and disagreed to this statement. This showed that parents, teachers, schools and family members were not good sources of information of sexuality. This could be that they were very secretive in getting information across to the adolescents.

Hypotheses

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between the parenting styles adopted by parents and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Table 6: Chi-square analysis showing the significant relationship between the parenting styles adopted by parents and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students in Ibadan, Oyo State.

x² =96.21, critical value =3.24; df 1; p<0.05.

Table 6 showed if there is no significant relationship between factors influencing sexual behaviours and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students, the data were subjected to Chi-square analysis, the calculated x²cal value =96.21, was found to be greater than x²Tab=3.24 with df=1 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus, the hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, there is a significant relationship between factors influencing sexual behaviours and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students.

Ho2: There is no significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Table 7: t-test showing the significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in Ibadan, Oyo State.

P<0.05

Table 7 showed if there is no the significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in the study area. The data were subjected to t-test analysis, the calculated t-cal value=1.301, was found to be greater than t-critic=0.132 with df=2 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus, the hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in the study area.

DISCUSSION

The following discussion were drawn:

Finding showed that many of their fathers were authoritarian (Command and Strict), and were neglectful/Uninvolved (lacked responsiveness between to child’s needs). While, very many of their mothers were (Supportive but very firm) authoritative and Permissive (warm and nurturing) and are authoritarian (Command and Strict) and Neglectful/Uninvolved (lack of responsiveness to child’s needs. This supports the statement of Purva, et al (2022), that there are four various types of parenting styles namely permissive parenting/indulgent parenting, authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting/controlling parenting, and uninvolved parenting/neglecting to parent.

Another finding revealed that peer group, lack of parental monitoring, porno films, poverty, Individual upbringing and environmental influence were factors that could influenced sexual behaviours.  Misron. & Husain (2020, who stated that the variables concerned with high-risk sexual behavior are reading and watching pornography. And Harris (2011), who said that media has greatly influence sexuality in adolescents, adolescents have fully engaged themselves in mass media, reading of literature books and all the likes in search for sexuality, so, in line with the finding is Kanuga & Rosenfeld (2004), who have the same opinion that television and internet also expose adolescents to literatures and movies with sexuality content which influences their perception about sexuality

Further finding discovered that unwanted pregnancy, abortion, depression, and suicide were health treats that could be observed through pre-marital sexual behaviours. The finding is in line with the study by Shrestha (2019), who revealed that unwanted and teenage pregnancy, abortion, STIs, HIV/AIDS, substance use, suicide, depression, loss of family support, loss of self-respect, and regret are health implications of premarital behaviours of adolescents.

It was also revealed that peer group, porno films, mass media, society and patent medicine store were factors that allowed adolescents’ students to receive information on sexuality.

There is a significant relationship between factors influencing sexual behaviours and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students.

Finally, there is also a significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in the study area.

CONCLUSION

• It was observed that many of their fathers were authoritarian (Command and Strict), and also neglectful/Uninvolved (lack of responsiveness to child’s needs).
• It was observed that mothers were (Supportive but very firm) authoritative and Permissive (warm and nurturing).
• Lack of parental monitoring, porno films, poverty, Individual upbringing and environmental influence were factors that could influenced pre-marital sexual behaviours.
• Unwanted Pregnancy, abortion, depression, and suicide were health treats that could be observed through pre-marital sexual behaviours.
• Peer group, Porno Films, mass media, society and Patent Medicine Store were factors that could helped adolescents’ students received information on sexuality.
• There is a significant relationship between factors influencing sexual behaviours and the information on sexuality of adolescents’ students.
• Finally, there is a significant difference between the parenting styles adopted by parents (father and mother) towards pre-marital sexual behaviours of adolescents’ students in the study area.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the study, the following recommendations were suggested:

• Parents should try as much as possible to set good examples for their adolescent children to follow on sexuality.
• Students should be encouraged and guided on sexual behaviours that could be displayed by individuals.
• Parents must provide for the needs of their children. This is necessary to avoid being seduced into promiscuity with money and other materials.
• Parenting styles should also monitor the activities of their children particularly at the adolescence period.
• It is imperative to design school, parent and community-based intervention programme to eradicate or if necessary, eliminate the situation of sexuality promiscuity among adolescent students.
• School administrators should facilitate supportive involvement and communication among parents, schools, and other concerned bodies for the purpose of reducing premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents that can result to poor healthy life styles.

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