Influence of Behavioral Counseling on Deviant Behavior Among Secondary School Students in FCT-Abuja
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to ascertain the influence of behavioural counselling on deviant behaviours among secondary school students in FCT Abuja. But to aid the completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following specific objectives;
- To ascertain the influence of behavioural counselling on the behaviour of secondary school student
- To examine the effect of behavioural counselling in curbing deviant behaviour among secondary school students in FCT
- To evaluate the role of school guardians and counselling on student academic achievement
- To examine the role of government in ensuring that every secondary school in FCT has a qualified counselor
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Teenager’s deviant behaviour is an escalating problem in the Nigerian society today. Deviant behaviour is considered abnormal or antisocial if it is uncommon, different from the norm and does not conform to what society expects. This idea is also closely related to the statistical approach to definite abnormality which rests on the idea that differences in human behaviour tend to fall into a normal distribution curve (Nwankwo, 2006). A particular behaviour is not acceptable or is antisocial if any of these three criteria are seen; the behaviour does not allow a person to function effectively with others as a member of society, if the behaviour does not permit the person to meet his or her own needs and the behaviour has a negative effect in the wellbeing of others (Roberts, 1981).
There are three main areas in a teenager’s life that a parent influences. These are the family and home life, a child’s community, and their peers. The research question driving this study is; how do parents influence deviant behavior in their teenage ages? It is believed that a parent will directly affect deviant behavior through parenting and the family structure, while indirectly affecting the behaviors through the adolescent’s community, and their choice of peers.
According to Hartney, (2011) peer pressure refers to the influences that peers can have on each other. Peer pressure is emotional or mental forces from people belonging to the same social group (such as age, grade or status) to act or behave in a manner similar to themselves (Weinfied 2010). Jones, (2010) defined peer pressure as the ability of people from the same social rank or age to influence another of same age, bracket peer pressure is usually associated with teens although its influence is not confined to teenagers alone.
Parents have an important role to play as both socializing and control agent over their children‘s behaviour. One major component of parental control is monitoring strategy. For adolescent to conform to the norms and values of the society, parents must step up and choose appropriate style to use in training their children if we must see a virile society. Parenting styles are the standard strategies that parents use in their child‘s training, rearing and up-bringing with the inculcation of values, norms of the society in order to be useful to the society. The popular argument of nature and nurture in the training of a child remain an issue. Some argue that an environment has the ability to shape a child‘s behaviour, personality and self-concept. While others believe that these are inherent in the child, for most people, a child‘s parents are the most influential in their lives up till adolescent (Vigdor, 2006). Most children are dependent upon their parents for food, shelter, finance and companionship. Parent love as well as punishment can exert a great influence on children when handled properly (Baumrind 1991a). The study looked into how parenting styles and peer pressure relate with delinquent behavior, it addresses the question of whether or not a strict autocratic parenting really hinders the child from exhibiting delinquent behavior. Conversely, it seeks to find out whether or not a loose laissez-faire parenting could actually make the adolescent to exhibit delinquency or perhaps, it is balanced, democratic parenting style that really provides healthy behavior. Parents may find it difficult to train up their children to meet up positively with this challenging and dynamic society and stand out to become world citizens. The task of adolescent training may be difficult due to economic crises, social instability and the weakening of major institutions including the state systems of public education and the family.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to investigate the influence of behavioral counseling on deviant behaviors among secondary school students on FCT Abuja.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information for the study; influence of behavioral counseling on deviant behaviors among secondary school students in FCT Abuja. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Abuja municipality was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the influence of behavioral counseling on deviant behaviors among secondary school student in FCT Abuja.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of behavioral counseling on deviant behavior among secondary school students.
Summary
The study found that majority of students problems have been addressed through G&C services. The study also found that most schools administer group and entire school forms of guidance and counseling. The study concludes that, with most students not receiving individual form of counseling which requires enhanced one-on-one interactive sessions between the counselor and counselee, most students are receiving more of guidance than counseling. The study found that students‟ attitudes remain largely negative. It can be concluded from these findings that negative attitudes towards G&C departments is impacting negatively on students to seek individual counseling which is more superior to other forms in addressing personal problems that cannot be addressed through guidance. Some students said guidance and counseling has not been able to address their problems. The study concludes that the unresolved students‟ problems are responsible to the remaining a third of schools experiencing students‟ unrest. The study also found that family related problems and stress management to be major problems afflicting secondary school going students. The study further concludes that guidance and counseling interventions should be enhanced to fully address students‟ problems and this will lead to schools achieving zero school riots. This is because effective guidance and counseling contributes to positive behavior change hence reducing school riots. The study also established that there are various hindrances to effective guidance and counseling. The study concludes that eradication of these hindrances will lead to effective guidance and counseling interventions hence reduce school riots.
Conclusion
Deviant behaviour is a behaviour or action of individual or groups that are not in accordance. In schools deviant behaviour of students are understood relation to body of existing schools rules and regulations. Peer pressure and school related factors have great consequences on the academic wellbeing of students. It is imperative for government, parents and schools to put adequate measures in place to curb the trends of deviant acts in our schools because of its increasing rate in the educational system.
Recommendations
The researcher recommends the following;
Government should ensure schools offer all forms of guidance and counseling with special emphasis on individual counseling. Specific efforts should be made to reduce negative students‟ attitude towards guidance and counseling. Counseling interventions should be tailored to address emerging family related problems among students and stress management. Government should work towards reducing the current school syllabus load so as to enable schools to comfortably implement other holistic programs such as G&C programs. Schools to develop teacher-counselors counseling skills through allocation of resources.
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