IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL VALUES AMONG CHILDREN IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of parenting styles on the development of moral values among children. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting three hundred and seventy-eight (378) junior secondary school students in six (6) selected schools in Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun state. The instrument used in gathering data from the respondents was a self-designed and close-ended questionnaire. The data gathered from the respondents was arranged and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentage, mean and standard deviation), Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and multiple regression. Results showed that a very strong relationship exists between authoritative parenting style and development of children’s moral values (r = .742); there was a very strong relationship exists between authoritarian parenting style and development of children’s moral values (r = .721); a moderate relationship exists between permissive parenting style and development of children’s moral values (r = .661); there was significant composite contributions of parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian and permissive) to the development of moral values among children (p<0.05); there was significant relative contributions of parenting styles to the development of moral values among children (p<0.05). Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that Community and religious leaders should organize regular parenting workshops to train parents on how to apply firm but fair parenting at home. Government and NGOs should invest in family support programs that promote balanced parenting styles to ensure children grow up with strong moral values.