FAMILY BACKGROUND AND PEER PRESSURE AS CORRELATES OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN NIGERIA AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Delinquent behaviour has become such a complex and social problem that hinders students from realizing their full potentials and also leads to moral decadence among senior secondary school students in Edo South Senatorial District. These delinquent behaviours  such as absenteeism, truancy, theft, murder, rape, vandalism, terrorism, fraud, drug peddling/trafficking, hooliganism, foul language, obscene abuse, abusive harassment, drunkenness, prostitution, etc (are to a large extent influenced by students’ family background and peer relation. This research was carried out to examine family background and peers pressure as correlate of delinquent behaviour among public secondary school students in Nigeria. It is believed that children from unstable homes are more likely to be delinquent. Evidence from literature suggest that such families expect less of their children, spend less time monitoring them and use less effective techniques to discipline them. Lack of warmth, direction, love and protection which the parents would have provided for them are lost and then they sought in anti-social behaviours. Also, when adolescents formed relationships with people who displayed delinquent behaviours, they are likely to take part in the behaviours themselves. For instance if adolescents spent time with deviant peers who consumed drugs, do not attend school regularly and are physically aggressive, then the adolescents are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviours as well.. The study has established and provided valuable insights into the factors influencing deviant behaviours among public secondary schools students in Nigeria. In conclusion, there is a nexus between  deviant behaviours and variables such as family structure, family size, parents’ educational level, and home environment and the importance of a stable and nurturing family settings in minimizing such behavior cannot be over-emphasized. It was therefore recommended that school authorities should establish and enforce stricter policies on punctuality and attendance, alongside effective communication between schools and parents