Abstract
This study was designed to examine
the influence of family structures, and neighbourhood environment on delinquent
behavior of minors at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls (SCCG), at
Idi-Araba and the Special Correctional Centre for Boys (SCCB), at Oregun, all
in Lagos state of Nigeria and make recommendations. The general objective of the
study was to draw up a plan that could be critical in preventing delinquency by
identifying and addressing the causes of the problem. An approach drawing from
quantitative research methodology was utilized. A cross sectional survey of
respondents enabled the exploration of the specific objectives formulated
around the purpose of the study, which included the need to “examine the relationship between
family structures, types (intact families, non-intact families, divorced families, and kinship families), and
delinquency”
as well as the need to “determine the relationship between neighbourhood
environment and delinquency”. A non-probability sampling technique was adopted
for the study. Given that the population of the study was small, the sample
size covered all the population. A purposive sampling method was equally
employed to select the sample size of study. Two hundred (200) copies of the
questionnaire were administered to 200 participants of the study; but, one
hundred and ninety three (193) copies were retrieved. The researcher screened
and edited each of the instruments, so as to check for internal consistency. At
the end of the screening exercise and editing, only one hundred and eighty nine
(189) copies were filled out correctly. Statistically, the response rate was
ninety five percent (95%). Quantitative data generated during the study were
analyzed using statistical tools such as frequency distribution tables and
inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient
(PPMCC). The following findings as revealed in the study attempted to answer
the earlier stated research questions. There was no significant relationship
between family structures types (intact families, non-intact families, divorced
families, and kinship families) and delinquency; there was a significant
relationship between parental monitoring and delinquency; there was a
significant relationship between parental – adolescent attachment and
delinquency; and there was no significant relationship between neighbourhood
environment and delinquency. Based on the findings above, recommendations were
made.
Table
of Contents
Contents
Title
page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements
iv
Table
of contents v
Abstract xi
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 4
1.3 General Objective of the Study 5
1.3.1 Specific objectives of the study 5
1.4 Research questions 6
1.5 Research Hypotheses 6
1.6 Significance of the study 6
1.7 Scope of the study 7
1.8 Definition of terms 8
Chapter Two:
Literature Review
2.0 Introduction 9
2.1 The Relationship between Family
Structures Types, Parental Monitoring and
Parental Adolescent Attachment and Delinquency 9
2.1.1 Effect of Divorce on Delinquency 15
2.1.2 Effect of Single Parent Families on
Delinquency 15
2.1.3 Effect of Women in the Workforce on
Delinquency 16
2.1.4 The Effect of Parental-Adolescent Attachment
on Delinquency 17
2.2 The Relationship between Neighbourhood
Environment and Delinquency 20
2.3 Empirical Studies on Family Structures
and Delinquency 23
Chapter Three:
Theoretical Frameworks
3.0 Introduction 25
3.1 Theory of Self-Control and Delinquency 26
3.2 Social Control Theory and Delinquency 32
3.3 Social Disorganization and Delinquency 34
3.4 Differential Association and Delinquency 35
Chapter Four: Research
Methodology
4.0 Introduction 38
4.1 Research design 38
4.2 Study population 38
4.3 Study location 38
4.4 Sample size and Sampling Technique 39
4.5 Instrument for data collection 39
4.6 Procedure for data collection 40
4.7 Method of data analysis 40
Chapter Five: Data Presentation and
Analysis
5.0 Introduction 41
5.1 Data
processing 41
5.2 Demographic
data 42
5.3 Test
of Hypotheses 58
5.4 Discussion
of findings 63
Chapter
Six: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
6.1 Summary
of Findings 71
6.2 Conclusion 72
6.3 Recommendations 72
6.4 Suggestion
for Further Study 73
Bibliography 74
Appendix 87
List
of Tables
Table page
Table
5.2.1: Distribution of Respondents by Gender 42
Table
5.2.2: Distribution of Respondents by Age
42
Table 5.2.3: Distribution of respondents by Family 43
Table: 5.2.4. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by roaming the street when
they were supposed to be in the class 44
Table: 5.2.5. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by Harassing and Extorting
Money from Innocent People 44
Table: 5.2.6. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by cult group affiliation 45
Table: 5.2.7. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by Participation in stealing
using weapons like knife, club, toy gun
etc.
45
Table: 5.2.8. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by Engagements
in examination malpractices 46
Table: 5.2.9. Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by Perpetration of Assault 46
Table: 5.2.10. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by engaging in Acts of Rape 47
Table: 5.2.11. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by wielding weapon during fight 47
Table: 5.2.12. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by abuse of Substances 48
Table: 5.2.13. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by consumption of Alcohol 48
Table: 5.2.14. Percentage Distribution of Respondents by Forgery 49
Table: 5.2.15. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Acts of Vandalism 49
Table: 5.2.16 Percentage Distribution of
Respondents by Stealing 50
Table: 5.2.17. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by bullying People 50
Table: 5.2.18. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by telling Lies 51
Table: 5.2.19. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by propinquity 51
Table: 5.2.20. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Parental Knowledge 52
Table: 5.2.21. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by parental indifference to
communication with my school teacher 52
Table: 5.2.22. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by indifference to Norm of Dress 53
Table: 5.2.23. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by indifference to
Ward’s Assignment 53
Table: 5.2.24. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Indifference to Lifestyle 54
Table: 5.2.25. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Indifference to Movies 54
Table: 5.2.26. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Indifference to Upkeep 55
Table: 5.2.27. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Availability of
Delinquents in my Neighbourhood 55
Table: 5.2.28. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Pickpocket 56
Table: 5.2.29. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Neighbourhood Influence 56
Table: 5.2.30. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Peer Pressure 57
Table: 5.2.31. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Peer Influence 57
Table: 5.2.32. Percentage Distribution
of Respondents by Peer Influence 58
Table: 5.3.1. Correlations of “What type of family do you
come from?”
by “What type of family do you come
from?” 59
Table: 5.3.2. Correlations of “My parents are too busy to notice the type of movies I
watch” by “My parents are too busy to notice the type of movies I
watch” 60
Table: 5.3.3. Correlations of “My parents are not concern about whether I do my
school assignments or not” by “My parents are not concern about
whether I do my school assignments or not” 61
Table:
5.3.4. Correlations of “What area do you
live?” by “What area do you live?” 62
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background
of the Study
The rate of delinquency in the
Nigerian society and especially among the youths is growing alarmingly and this
is really giving concern to most Nigerians. Today, in Nigeria, especially in
the urban areas, the streets and residences are no longer safe, no matter how
well fortified they may be (Anifowose, 2004). The young people are involved in
cultism, pilfering/pickpocket, examination malpractices, assaults, street
fighting, substance abuse, alcoholism, certificate racketing and vandalism, to
mention but a few. Sadly enough, many children manifest some of these
antisocial behaviours before and soon after they start school (Uwe, Ekuri and
Asuquo, 2008; Anifowose, 2004).
In its simplest definition,
juvenile delinquency is legally defined as criminal behaviour by a minor (Flannery,
Hussey, Beibelhausen, and Wester, 2003). For the purpose of this study,
delinquent behaviour covers criminal as well as ‘at risk behaviors’ or
‘reckless behaviour’ that could lead to more serious delinquency. These
behaviours include but are not limited to, running away from home, driving a
car without permission, property damage, theft, manslaughter, and robbery to
runaways, curfew violations and vandalism, with many other offenses in between
that attracts police involvement. There is no doubt that various experts can
give us many theories as to the causes of juvenile delinquency, including
family background (Simons, Simons and Wallace, 2004); one's economic background
(Ekpo and Ajake, 2013); substance abuse, delinquent peer groups, repeated
exposure to violence, increased availability of firearms and media violence,
etc (Jermaine, 2005). These
variables contribute to the high rate of crime in the society in varying
degree. However, they are not the only causes of the high rate of delinquency
in the society. Other factors abound. Some of these factors which are often
neglected are family structure, neighbourhood environment and their
relationship with delinquency for which the present study seeks to investigate.
Thus, the present study seeks to investigate the relationship between family
structure, neighbourhood environment and delinquency.
Family structure is a general
name that describes the component members of a family. Predominantly, in
Nigeria, the following family structure types exist: intact families, non-intact families,
divorced families, and kinship families (Jermaine, 2005). Intact family or dual parent homes referred to
family where both parents – father and mother are united and collectively
responsible for their children wellbeing. Intact families are increasingly
becoming the minority and more and more single parent families are emerging (Jermaine, 2005). In a survey of 175
mothers of 260 African male adolescents ages 12-16 carried out by Paschall,
Ringwalt, and Flewelling (2003) meant to measure areas such as parental
monitoring, parental perceived control, communication, relationship, delinquent
peers, father absence, and delinquent behaviour. The study revealed that
approximately 90% of the mothers surveyed were the biological mothers; the
remaining 10% were not (extended family, foster mother, etc.). Poor parental
monitoring is believed to lead to an adolescent’s involvement with delinquent
and antisocial peers.
Another important variable that
constitute the bulk of this study is the relationship between neighbourhood
environment and delinquency. In recent years, the effects of neighbourhood
social and physical environment on the welfare of children and adults have
become a major focus for researchers and policymakers (Singer and Ryff, 2001).
Specialists in child development have argued that neighbourhood characteristics
affect children’s social and behavioral development, educational attainment,
participation in crime and violence, and risk-taking behaviors, such as
smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and early sexual activity (Sastry, Pebley, and
Zonta, 2002). Specifically, increasing residential segregation by class and
ethnicity between 1960 and 1990 concentrated poorer, minority individuals in
poor urban neighbourhoods. This concentration increased the exposure of the
poor to infectious diseases, risky health related behaviours, violence, stress,
and other types of social problems that differentially affect poor
neighbourhoods and contributed to poorer health outcomes for lower income
adults and children (Acevedo-Garcia, 2000).
Neighbourhood environment refers
to the immediate environment where a child lives. The definition of
neighbourhood environment is usually vague as it is difficult to map the
boundaries. Its definition may vary among individuals living on the same block
(Coulton et al., 2001); or may vary by context; for example, a person may
define only those living on his block as living in his neighbourhood, but
define his neighbourhood as a larger space when determining whether he works or
shops in his neighbourhood. From residents’ perspective, the “neighbourhood” is
probably best described as a relatively close area with fuzzy boundaries that
may expand or shrink depending on context and personal experience (Sastry,
Pebley, and Zonta, 2002). Within the context of this study, neighbourhood’
definition will extend to cover those living within the same street or local
government area. Huizinga (2005) carried out a study to investigate the
relationship of living in a bad (disorganized) neighbourhood and delinquency.
The study revealed that the type of neighborhood is not related to violent
victimization for the total city-wide sample. However, for females, living in a
bad (disorganized) neighbourhood is related to higher rates of victimization.
But the present study is not interested in victimization; rather the present
study is interested in investigating contextual influence on a child’s
behaviour.
1.2 Statement
of Problem
Nigeria
is gradually becoming a breeding ground for sexual offences, i.e., rape,
indecent assault, incest, etc. The worst being that, even among children,
crimes abound. There are cases of drug abuse. Some children are exposed to
violence, immorality and all sorts of vices. Many of the children, who become
vagabonds, pick pockets, armed robbers and the likes are children who suffer
neglect or who are from broken homes (Ekiran, 2004). In schools, teachers are
contending with the problems of truancy, stealing, examination malpractice and
diverse lawlessness among students. Parents are also worried by the change in
the behaviour of their children, especially soon after their admission into the
secondary schools. Regrettably, familiar schemes of inappropriate behaviour
among the youths on the campuses and the larger society seem to suggest that
the family may have failed in its basic responsibility of proper socialization
of the young ones (Nnorom 2005).
Nigerian
society is facing several problems as a result of juvenile delinquency. There
are cases of indecent dressing, especially among girls. Most of Nigerians
youths are becoming touts; some of these children are fast becoming school
dropouts, teenage pregnancy, high rate of abortion, etc leaving to the waste of
manpower. The fate of this country is blurry since those who are suppose to be
the leaders of tomorrow are becoming delinquents. The problem of this study is
to investigate the relationship between family structure, neighbourhood
environment and delinquency (Iheriohanma, 2002). This is motivated by the fact
that family and neigbhourhoods environment have significant influence in the
life of children. Today, more than ever, many parents are becoming distant from
their children as a result of divorce, separation, or even work. Parents spent
lesser time with the children and are mostly uninvolved in their children affairs.
Most parents do not even care about the types of friends their children keep,
whether or not they are active in their school activities, etc. Most parents
are neglecting the virtue of good morals and discipline needed for the proper
training of their children, etc. This negligence often leads these children to
copy the life style of the people around them. Hence the need for the present
study on family structure, neighbourhood environment and delinquency.
1.3 General
Objective of the Study
The
general objective of this study is to examine the influence of family structures,
and neighbourhood environment on delinquent behavior of minors at the Special
Correctional Centre for Girls (SCCG), Idi-Araba and the Special Correctional
Centre for Boys (SCCB), Oregun, all within Lagos state of Nigeria.
1.3.1 Specific Objectives of the Study
Specifically,
the present study seeks to:
i.
examine the relationship between family
structures types (intact families, non-intact families, divorced families, and
kinship families) and delinquency
ii.
investigate the relationship between
parental monitoring and delinquency
iii.
investigate the relationship between
parental – adolescent attachment and delinquency
iv.
determine the relationship between
neighbourhood environment and delinquency
1.4 Research
Questions
The
following are research questions formulated to guide the study.
i.
Is there a relationship between family
structures types (intact families, non-intact families, divorced families, and
kinship families) and delinquency?
ii.
Is there a relationship between parental
monitoring and delinquency?
iii.
Is there a relationship between parental –
adolescent attachment and delinquency?
iv.
Is there a relationship between
neighbourhood environment and delinquency?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses are
formulated to guide this study
H0: There is no significant relationship
between family structures types (intact families, non-intact families, divorced
families, and kinship families) and delinquency
H0: There is no significant relationship
between parental monitoring and delinquency.
H0: There is no significant relationship
between parental – adolescent attachment and delinquency
H0: There
is no significant relationship between neighbourhood environment and delinquency
1.6 Significance
of the Study
The
incessant moral decay is becoming a major concern to all Nigerians as life and
property are at risks. Today, more than ever, youths are found to engage in
several kinds of anti-social behaviour such as roaming the streets, harassing
and exhorting money from innocent people. The young people are involved in
cultism, armed robbery, examination malpractices, assaults, rape, violence,
substance abuse, alcoholism, certificate racketing and vandalism, to mention
but a few. The present study is, therefore, working on the assumption that
identifying the cause of a problem and will go a long way in providing clue on
how to deal with such problems. To this regard, the findings of the present
study will serve as an eye opener to the Nigerian government, parents, and all
those who have the responsibility of ensuring crime-free- nation as they will
be able to take precautionary major in eradicating the causes of delinquency in
order to purge the society of delinquency.
Findings
from this study will also be significant to other researchers and academia as
well as students as it will lay a foundation from where further studies will be
carried out for the purpose of enhancing knowledge. The study will also
contribute to literature on delinquency.
1.7 Scope
of the Study
The
study seeks to examine the relationship between family structures,
neighbourhood environment and delinquency. The study will cover two special
correctional centres – namely, Special Correctional Centre for Girls (SCCG) and
Special Correctional Centre for Boys (SCCB) located at Idi-Araba and Oregun,
all within Lagos state of Nigeria with total inmates of eighty (80) and one
hundred and twenty (120). The researcher chose these two centres because they
contain the variables which the researcher intends to investigate. The
variables under study include: examining
the
relationship between family structures types (intact families, non-intact
families, divorced families, and kinship families) and delinquency; the
relationship between parental monitoring and delinquency; the relationship
between parental – adolescent attachment and delinquency; and the relationship
between neighbourhood environment and delinquency.
1.8 Definition
of Terms
§ Juvenile Delinquency: This
refers simply to the antisocial or criminal behaviour committed by children
under the age of 18 years.
§ Delinquency: This
is an umbrella name to all crime committed within an environment such as
roaming the streets, harassing and exhorting money from innocent people,
cultism, armed robbery, examination malpractices, assaults, rape, violence,
substance abuse, alcoholism, certificate racketing and vandalism, to mention
but a few.
§ Neighbourhood environment: This
refers to the exact or immediate community or neighbourhood where the child
lives.
§ Family structures types:
This covers intact families, non-intact families, divorced families, and
kinship families. Intact families refer to those families where the child lives
with both parents. Non- intact family refers to family where the child lives
with only one of the parents – either with the father or mother as a result -
i.e. single parent. Divorce is a family structure where both parents are
separated and the child lives with just one of the families. Kinship families are a type of family
structure where the child lives with one of its relatives order than the
parents. It could be living with the grand parent, aunties, uncles, or foster
homes.
§ Parental Monitoring:
This is a type of family where parents are in constant monitoring of a child’s
activities both within and outside the house; conspicuously or inconspicuously.
§ Parental – Adolescent Attachment:
This is a relationship where the adolescent child shares affinity with the
parents and confide in them.
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