A study of adolescents' views on the nature of parents-adolescents and adolescents- peer relationship in Nairobi Province
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Date
2012-02-15
Authors
Makau, Joyce Mwongeli
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Abstract
This study was designed to establish the nature of parent-adolescent and adolescent peers relationship according to adolescents' views. The researcher further intended to find out whether adolescents' gender, age, peer involvement and school type had any significant influence over the nature of parent-adolescent relationship as well as identify their areas of disagreement.
The study had the following objectives:
1. To establish the nature of parent-adolescent relationship
as viewed by the adolescents.
2. To determine whether there are differences in the nature
of parentadolescent relationship according to the
gender and age of the adolescent.
3. To investigate the nature of adolescent-peer relationship
and determine whether parent-adolescent relationship is
influenced by the adolescent's level of involvement with
peers and school type.
4. To identify the most common areas of disagreement, as
perceived by the adolescents.
To get the required data, a random sample of 189 teenagers from six secondary schools in Nairobi Province were selected and questionnaires administered. Data were analysed by use of frequencies, percentages and means.
One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-and chi-square tests were used to test the hypotheses.
Study findings revealed that majority (78.3%) of the adolescents had good or very good relationship with their mothers as compared to 42.9% with the fathers and 60.6% with both parents. Only a small percentage (9.0% and 10.6%) with mother and father respectively described their relationship with their parents as not good. Generally, the results show that most adolescents enjoy good relationship with their parents. But a higher percentage of teenagers (56.6%) enjoyed a good relationship with the mother as compared to those who enjoyed a good relationship with the father (26.6%). However, the adolescent-peer relationship was weaker (19.5575) as compared to that of adolescent-father (31.6270) and adolescentmother (35.2767). Therefore, adolescents relate differently with their peers as compared to the way they relate with parents
The adolescent's gender and age did not significantly influence the nature of parent-adolescent relationship. But the teenager's level of involvement with peers significantly influenced the nature of parent-adolescent relationship. As per the school type the adolescent attended, there was a significant difference on the nature of relationship with the father, but neither with the mother, nor with both parents. Adolescent's choice of friends was the most common and serious area of parent-adolescent disagreement. This was followed by academic performance and coming home late respectively. Results also revealed that if adolescents were honest and free with their parents they would discuss the areas of disagreement between them and their parents.
Therefore, it is recommended that, both parents and adolescents should ensure that there is good communication between them so as to solve any arising disagreement. At the same time, the parents should learn to relinquish power and control over their adolescents gradually as they progress in development. Consequently, adolescents should be involved in decision-making in all areas that concern them in an adult-to-adult atmosphere. This way, it is assumed that the adolescents will feel appreciated, part of the rules, and have a responsibility to honour and respect the decisions reached.
Description
Department of Psychology, 87p. The HQ 759.64 .M37 2004
Keywords
Teenage parents--Kenya--Nairobi province, Peer pressure in adolescence--Kenya--Nairobi province