Psychological Influence of Parental Separations and Divorce on Student’s Academic Performance in Some Selected Secondary Schools in Ogun State
Balogun, Olukunle Olagunju1, Aderinto, Idowu Dare2, and Balogun, Tolulope Adeola3
1Department of Adult Education, College of Specialized and Professional Education, Tai Solarin University of Education
2Department of Industrial and Technical Education, College of Vocational and Technology Education, Tai Solarin University of Education
3Department of Social Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu – Ijebu
Abstract
Issue related to divorce and separations has become a global concern which deprives many school children the opportunity to attain academic excellence in their lives Many misconceptions are surrounding parental separations and divorce in every society which has assumed a worrisome dimension in the last two decades. Though many explanations have been advanced for the dramatic increase in the rate of divorce and separations from the ‘90s. While some individuals claimed this to be unconnected with the changes in the divorce laws in the ‘80s, others contested this submission. The study looks at the ‘psychological influence of parental separation and divorce and how it affects the student’s academic performances in some selected secondary schools in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Descriptive survey research was adopted in the study, whilst 100 students who were identified to be living under single parenting were randomly selected from five secondary schools within the local government areas. The instrument used for data collection was solely questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that a larger percentage of the respondents are sometimes psychologically depressed with unstable emotions which makes them feel uncomfortable in their academic pursuit whilst the result from the findings revealed that separated parents do not have enough time to either monitor or regularly supervise the academic progress of their wards whilst these children are normally not provided with the necessary learning materials to aid their learning. It was concluded that separation/divorce is social cancer that leads to poor academic performance while recommendation was made based on the outcome of the result from the findings that parents should be more enlightened knowing that the aftermath of divorce and separation always bounce back on the children. Hence couples should adopt dialogue and mutual discussion in resolving family related issues.
Keywords: Academic Performance, Parental Separation, Divorce, Psychological Influence.
Impact Statement
In order to avert separation or divorce in the society, the home must be in harmony and conducive for parents and their children to perform excellently in every aspect of life activities. Therefore, the study would have a significant impact on policymaking by helping the policy makers to come up with policies that will make parents to be aware of danger of separation on their children. Also, it will enlighten parents to know that their children would be a recipient of their actions and inaction if separation/divorce is not averted because it has high tendency to destabilize their children psychologically, emotionally and academically. Furthermore, the study will be useful to caregiver in assisting children that are living under single parenting.
About The Author
PROFILE: AUTHOR I
Balogun, Olukunle Olagunju, is an Associate Professor and full-time lecturer in the Department of Adult and Development Education and an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Sociological studies, Tai Solarin University of Education. Having bagged two masters’ degree, one (Mphil) in Sociology and Anthropology and (M.Sw) in Social Works from University of Benin and Lagos state University respectively in Nigeria, Balogun also obtain his Ph.D degree in Social works with specialization in Sociology, Social Work and Community Development from the University of Benin, Nigeria. He has different academic awards to his credit across his academic programmes. Balogun is an erudite scholar, focused researcher and a prolific writer with many local and international publications. His areas of research explorations include Prison Welfare, Rehabilitation and Juvenile delinquency among other areas. He is collaborating with other erudite scholars across different disciplines to investigate issues of major concerns within the country as well as across the globe.
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1856-2212
PROFILE: AUTHOR II
Aderinto, Idowu Dare is a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Industrial Technical Education, Tai Solarin University of Education. Aderinto owns a masters’ degree Industrial Technical Education department, Tai Solarin University of Education with specialization in Electrical/Electronic Technology. Aderinto is a scholar, focused researcher and a prolific writer who has local and international papers under review for publications. His areas of research explorations include Electrical and Electronics Technology Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Teacher Education and Certification, Career Development in Technical Education and Training, Psychology of Professional Career Practice and Learning in Vocational and Technical Education among other areas. He loves collaborating scholars across different disciplines to investigate issues of major concerns within the country as well as across the globe.
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2086-2649
PROFILE: AUTHOR III
Balogun, Tolulope Adeola is a lecturer in the Department of Social Studies, Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology. Balogun is currently on her masters’ degree program in the Department of Sociological studies, Tai Solarin University of Education Balogun is a scholar, focused researcher and a prolific writer who has local and international papers under review for publications. She loves collaborating scholars across different disciplines to investigate issues of major concerns within the country as well as across the globe.
References
Alawode, E.A. & Salami, S.O. (2004) Influence of Single Parenting on the Academic Achievement of Adolescents in Secondary Schools: Implications for Canceling
Amato,P.R. (2017). Family Processs in one-parents, step parents and intact families: The child point’s of view. Journal of Marriage and the family, 49, 327 – 337
Balogun, O.O. (2012) Effect of Single Parenthood on Student’s Academic Performances in some selected Secondary Schools in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State; Unpublished PGDE Thesis of Faculty of Education, Uthman Dan Fodio University
Balogun, O.O. (2010) Effect of Family Instability on Nigeria Children, Ijagun Journal of Social and Management Science (IJSMS) 3(1), 141 – 152. A publication of College of Social and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin College University of Education, Ijebu Ode. Nigeria.Sokoto.
Balogun, O.O (). (2007) Taking Prostitution as Social Malaise in the 21st Century in Nigeria: Journal of Art and Social Sciences 9, 107 – 114. A publication of the College of Social and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State.
Donkor, A.K. (2010) Parental Involvement in Education in Ghana: The Case of a Private Elementary School. International Journal about Parents in Education, 4(1), 23 – 38 Eweniyi, G.D (2005) The Impact of Family structure on University Students’ Academic Performance; International Journal of Education Learning and Development Vol. 1, No.2, pp.85 -94
Fadeiye, J.D. (1985) a text of social studies, socialization and political culture.: International Organization for NCE- and Undergraduates. Ibadan; Ilori. Family reality, Demography 32: 97-109. Family Structure or income Matter? Social Policy and Social Work 1: 55- 98.
Hilton, J.M and Desrochers, S. (2002) Children’s Behavior Problems in Single – Parents and Married – Parents Families: Development of a predictive model, Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 37(1 – 2), 13 – 36
Nyarko, K (2011) Parental School Involvement: The Case of Ghana, Journal of Emerging Trends in Education Research and Policy Studies, 2(5), 378 – 381
Omolade, Z.A. (2006) Nigerian Culture and citizenship Education: A publication of Lucky Odion (Nig) Enterprises, Ogun State Nigeria.
Tope, O. (2012) The Influence of Parenting Style on the Academic Performance of Students: A Case Study of Some Selected Secondary Schools in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State. Ego Bookster Books Ogun State Nigeria.
UNICEF, (2001) Annual Report, The State of the World’s Children: Early Childhood.