ABSTRACT
The
early intimacy between the mother and the child makes the mother the most
significant person in the life of the child. Thus maternal acceptance plays an
inestimable role in the process of child’s personality development. This study
therefore investigated the influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem as
expressed by secondary school students in Kwara State. Simple sampling
technique was adopted for the selection of 450 respondents that participated in
the study. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire tagged
“Influence of Maternal Acceptance on Self-Esteem Questionnaire” (IMASAEQ). The
instrument consisted of 25 items which elicited information from the randomly
selected respondents. Four null hypotheses were formulated and tested and the data
collected were analysed using frequency counts, simple percentages, student t-test
and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The null hypotheses generated were tested at
0.05 alpha level of significance. The results of the tested hypotheses revealed
that they were all accepted; thus age, religion, gender and class level did not
influence the expression of the respondents. The results revealed that maternal
acceptance influences students’ self-esteem because it makes them feel happy
and confident.
Based
on the findings of the study, it was recommended that school counsellors should
organize talks with mothers on the importance of maternal acceptance to
school-going adolescents. It was also recommended that various agencies should
organize seminars on the need for adequate maternal acceptance. Thus, Government
agencies and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) should put in place
community counselling programme to help sensitise parents on their roles
to the children.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PAGES
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract vi
Table of Contents viii
List of Tables xii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 11
Research Questions 15
Research Hypotheses 16
Purpose of the Study 17
Significance of the Study 17
Operational Definition of Terms 20
Scope of the Study 21
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction 22
Concept of Self-Esteem 23
Impacts of Mother in the development of
self-esteem of
the child 32
Effects of parents’ absence on the development of
self-Esteem 40
Parents’ Leadership Styles 43
Parental Attitudes towards the child 48
Summary of the Review of Related Literature 59
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction 60
Research Design 60
Sample and Sampling Procedure 61
Instrumentation 63
Psychometric Property of the Instrument 65
Pilot Testing 67
Procedure for Data Administration and Collection 67
Scoring Procedure 68
Method of Data Analysis 69
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
Introduction 70
Demographic Data 70
Hypotheses Testing 77
Summary of Findings 81
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION,
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
82
Discussion 83
Conclusion 92
Counselling Implications 93
Recommendations 95
Suggestions for Further Studies 97
References 99
Appendix 104
LIST OF TABLES
PAGES
Table 1: Distribution
of Respondents by Religion 71
Table 2: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis
of Age 72
Table 3: Distribution
of Respondents by Gender 73
Table 4: Distribution
of Respondents by Class Level 73
Table 5: Items Ranking of Responses on Influence
of Maternal
Acceptance on Self-Esteem 74
Table 6: Means,
Standard Deviation and t-value of 77
responses on influence of maternal
acceptance on self-esteem
Table 7:
Means, Standard Deviation and t-value
of responses on influence of maternal
expression on self esteem on the basis of
religion 78
Table 8: Means,
Standard Deviation and t-value
of responses on influence of maternal
expression on self esteem on the basis of
gender 79
Table 9: Means,
Standard Deviation and t-value
of responses on influence of maternal
acceptance on self-esteem on the basis of
class level 80
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
to the Study
Young
children are entirely dependent on adults for their survival and care.
According to Lee (1990), in most cases, each child is looked after by his/her
parents, but they in turn are sustained and supported by the society of which
they are members. Gradually other adults (such as relatives, neighbours,
nurses, doctors, playgroup leaders, teachers and every adult that the young
child encounters) take over some of the responsibilities of caring for the
child. However, caring for the child influences him by reinforcing or
undermining his grasp of the real world and his confidence in people.
The
home is the primary institution where children are brought up, it is the
environment that plays a significant role in the upbringing of the child.
According to Brewer (2002), the world children live in vary with the particular
family environment into which they are born. The types of homes children are
born into go a long way in determining their personality development.
Parents
are the primary agents of socialization of their children directly or
indirectly. Children adopt values and behaviours similar to those of their
parents (Salawu, 2003). Emphasis has been placed on parental attitudes having a
strong impact not only on the family relationship but also the attitudes and
behaviours of children (Brain, 2002).
Mothers
are believed to be the custodian of their children, and what take places
between them have some characteristics that give either positive or negative
impact on the children. Mothers vary widely in their care taking, care giving
and catering for the basic needs of the children (Salawu, 2003). Mothers play
significant roles in the upbringing and development of their children.
According to Salawu (2003), Mothers seem to have particular important roles
especially in inducing enduring forms of self actualization into their
children. This suggests that mother-child relationship is an index in
determining the child’s behaviour pattern.
It
has been pointed out that, one singular factor in the home that gives a better
relationship to the child is the efficiency of the mother Ken (2006) stated
that mothers vary widely in care taking and maternal care of which such settings
are useful as they provide variations in maternal care. Maternal warmth, love
and care directed toward the child will create positive relationship, (Adejumo,
2004). Furthermore, it has been asserted that, a mothers’ warmth, relaxation,
comfort, satisfaction, recognition, acceptance, security and love go a long way
toward satisfying the need for affection, belonging and acceptance for the
children. It also creates emotional security for the children thus helping in
the fostering of a balanced (Salawu, 2003).
Lee
(1990) observed that ‘a mother’, has become a useful verb that describes a
whole collection of attitudes and actions based on the behaviour of a caring
mother to her child. The mothers as the first agent of socialization for the
child, helps to educate him about the new world. For example, the little baby
may not see or understand the world clearly; he only knows that he feels
contented, warm and safe or uncomfortable, angry or frightened. His mother is
that part of his surroundings which comforts him, feeds him and makes him feel
safe and warm. Loud noises, being dropped, or held loosely for his food so that
he feels acute discomfort, makes him angry and anxious.
Brian (2002) explained that the mother knows that
he feels these things and she tries to avoid situations, which arouse these
feelings. The kind of person he will grow up to be depends to a very large
extent on how he finds the world in his early baby days. It was (Williams,
1995) who discovered that if the child feels safe and contented more often,
than he feels abandoned and desperate, he will grow up feeling that the world
can be trusted and depended on and this will form a secure base for him from
which he ventures out sound experiment in all kinds of ways. This will
strengthen his initiative and confidence and he will be more ready to meet new
people and new situations all through his life.
Kim (2007) noted that children think and hold
their mothers as the individuals who do things for them, come to their aid,
tolerate and take care of them by taking care of their individual needs with a
sense of personal trustworthiness, love and care. They also seen to be
understanding considerate, warm and are there when needed.
There are children whose parents spend time with
them. They talk to them, answer questions and help them to find answers to
questions. There are some other parents who give little or no attention to
their children; they are cruelsome, they neglect them and they do not consider
the personality development of their children. Adejumo (2004) was of the view
that children that come from homes that are stimulating may likely have
positive self-esteem. This category of parents could be considered as accepting.
Mothers who are accepting, that is, those who
show love and warmth, to their children, are consistent in enforcing limits and
willing to listen to their children’s views and beliefs. The category of
children from such homes usually develops positive self-esteem, which may
eventually help them in future. Parents in this group are of the view that, it
is their responsibility to establish a kind of parent-child relationship that
fosters the child’s confidence and self esteem which sets the stage for his future
social interactions (Salawu, 2003).
Davies (2003) stated that the manner in which the
child is treated will help him create and form pictures of himself that will
influence his behaviour in certain situations. Mothers’ attitudes and
behaviours are important methods, thus, mothers who are accepting, cooperative
and sensitive, have children who are self accepting and have positive self
esteem than those who are rejecting and insensitive. It has also been observed
that in the home, the issue of acceptance and rejection are considered
important (Kim, 2007).
Children, who are accepted, behave in socially
acceptable ways while those who are rejected, project a number of unacceptable
behaviours. Parental attitude and the way the children see themselves can also
affect their (children) self-esteem Burg (2000). They also stressed that,
mutual understanding, acceptance and trust, foster a better relationship
between parents and a child and this yields satisfying results.
Researchers such as Imoukhome, (1987) and Jimoh-Cook,
(1991) have shown that, mothers who are warm, loving and accepting, show
acceptance of the child. The lack of these show rejection of the child.
Therefore, feelings, attitudes and behaviour of the mother to the child can
affect their behavioural development and affecting their self-esteem.
Boys and Girls in the Secondary School are in
their adolescence period, which is considered to be time of stress and storm, (Adegoke,
2003). He said further that it is the period where their ideal selves and
actual selves often change as their experiences widen. As they go through this
period, others who try to cope with difficulties; are those who have firm,
secure and understanding homes which recognize and undertake for their
developmental needs. Children who succeed in various tasks and can cope with
situations around them are likely to grow in self-esteem. Those that experience
failures over different tasks and often fail, develop low self-esteem about
themselves (Williams, 2005).
Conger
(2003) reported that adolescents continue to need parental love and acceptance
when they show tendencies of moving towards independence. He stressed further
that in homes where children are given appropriate love and care, the children
are likely to become more active, outgoing, society assertive, friendly and are
likely to develop a positive self-image.
Socio-economic
problems, parental absence, conflict within the family set-up, dissatisfaction,
and neglect stand out as examples and possible issues that can affect self
esteem of the young adolescent. Children who come from homes where basic
psychological needs are not met feel bad and reserved. This brings about
changes in the routine of the home discipline and the adjustment of the
affected child may be difficult.
Lower social class background may reflect in the
development of the adolescent’s self-esteem. A poor home atmosphere and poor
existing relationship are likely to affect the self esteem of the child
reduction developing low self esteem and for this they are vulnerable to
criticisms and rejection among other children. Parental occupation also has a
cultural significance in that it affects the child’s social prestige. Children
stratify people on the basis of the jobs and accept adult attitudes and values
concerning different jobs (Imohen, 2005).
Burg (2000) explained that instances where
discipline is likely to be arbitrary and overly severe often involving physical
punishment is seen as an expression of parental rejection. In an attempt to
change the child’s behavior where he erred, the child is often rejected. This
could be due, to the fact that mothers are traditionally over burdened with
household chores and other responsibilities that can worsen the effectiveness
of the mother’s efficiency in catering for the child’s needs. Often times the
child is left in the hands of the other adults, surrogate mothers or siblings
in the home. Therefore lack of warmth and failure to use reasonable consistent
control appropriate to the child’s stage of development are likely to create an
atmosphere that is aggressive and poorly controlled behaviour (Bello, 2002).
When mothers reject their children, they are by
who reported to be suspicious, timid and insecure, anxious, introverted and
tense and therefore developing poor or low self esteem. Family interaction and
structure have been based on the assumption that individual development is a
function of multiplicity of interaction and influences occurring in the context
of the whole family.
Statement of the Problem
It
is obvious that in the traditional African society (if not all over the World)
the role of the mother in the overall upbringing of the child is unique. Apart
from the fact that the child comes to the world through the mother, it is
important to note that the mother maintains an uncontended position of being
the first ‘friend’ to the child. This early intimacy between the mother and the
child makes her the most relevant person in the life of the child. Thus,
maternal acceptance by this ‘friend’ will play an inestimable role in the
process of a child’s personality development.
While
analyzing Ann Roe’s Theory of Vocational Development, explained that maternal
acceptance solely determines the occupational preference of the child. This is
because the type of relationship which the child experiences, especially at
childhood, will nevertheless produce his personality, and thus, lead to
occupational interest. Ajiboye (2006) stated that other renowned psychologists,
such as (Sigmund Freud, Eric Erickson and Eric Berne) emphasized the role of
the mother-child relationship in the overall development of a well balanced
personality. Thus, future of the child rests much on his early life
experiences.
Glasser in (1965) stressed the fact that a person
has two primary needs above and beyond survival.
(i)
The need to give
and receive love
(ii)
The need to feel
worthwhile, (useful) to oneself and the society. He stressed further that when
this factor are absent in the life of adolescents, they may consequently react
by getting involved in various delinquent behaviours.
Adejumoh (2003) noted that the emotional climate
at home, and the type of parental relationship with the child are of three
types: The emotional concentration in which the parents encourage dependency in
the closely, the avoidance type of climate which are cold, hostile and negligent
which ridicules and derogates the child, and lastly is the acceptance type of
family which gives the child love, warmth and affection. All these three types
of family environment influence the child in various ways, such as joining a
gang, a cult or some other groups where they may learn anti-social behaviours.
Some
previous studies have considered related aspects of the child’s development.
Aiyedun (2007) worked on effect of divorce on secondary school students. The
study found out that students from divorced homes portray serious adjustment
problems because of their separation from their mothers. Otusanya (2006)
reported that children brought up by single parents (especially father) find it
difficult to cope with both academic and social challenges. Maternal acceptance
may help the child to develop maximum self confidence, positive self-concept
and a balanced personality. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, no
previous study has considered the influence of maternal acceptance aspect of
child’s development on self-esteem as expressed by the secondary school
students, especially in Kwara State. Therefore, the researcher considered it
imperative to conduct this study on maternal acceptance on self-esteem as
expressed by secondary school students in Kwara State. This will help to
provide explanations and profer solution to the problems inherent in the
practice.
Research Questions
In
the process of carrying out this study, answers were provided to the following
questions:
(1)
What is the
influence of maternal-acceptance on the self-esteem of secondary school
students?
(2)
Is there any
difference in the influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem as expressed
by secondary school students in Kwara State on the basis of age?
(3)
Will there be
any difference in the influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem as
expressed by secondary school students in Kwara State on the basis of religion?
(4)
Will there be
any difference or the influence of maternal acceptance on self esteem as
expressed by respondents on the basis of gender?
(5)
Is there any
difference in influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem as expressed by
secondary school students in Kwara State on the basis of class level?
Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were formulated for
the study:
(1)
There is no
significant difference in the expression of secondary school student in Kwara
State on influence of maternal acceptance on self esteem on the basis of age.
(2)
There is no
significant difference in the expression of secondary school stuydents in Kwara
State on influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem on the basis of
religion.
(3)
There is no
significant difference in the expression of secondary school students in Kwara
State in influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem on the basis of gender.
(4)
There is no
significant difference in the expression of secondary school students in Kwara
State on influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem on the basis of class
level.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to determine
the influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem as expressed by secondary
school students in Kwara State. The study sort to find out whether or not age,
religion and gender have significant influence on respondents views as regards
the influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem.
Significance of the Study
The intention of this researcher is to make the
findings of this study available to teachers, parents, administrators,
counsellors and others who are involved in working with adolescents. It is also
to help adolescents improve their self-esteem which in turn could have a
positive influence on their attitudes and behaviours.
Parental
behaviour has been noticed to have a great and strong impact on the attitude
and behaviour of children. Parental behaviour makes children become who they
really want to become in life. Parental acceptance could have favourable effect
on the self esteem of the children with this fact, it may help parents to
develop behaviour that will enhance self-esteem of secondary school students in
Kwara State. It could also help parents develop the right attitude to their
children with a view to reducing instances of resentment, frustration, feeling
of helplessness and hostility towards others. It is the intention of this
researcher to create awareness in parents, especially mothers, about their
roles in developing in their children better behaviour patterns and approach to
life.
Parents
will benefit from this study in the sense that, it will provide better
understanding on the need to give required attention and care to children. Most
times some parents justify the disregard on children on the ground that the
nature of work they (parents) engage does not give enough time to care for the
children. This group of parents forgets that stages of child development are
not reversible, hence any unnecessary rejection of the child may cause
permanent personality defect in the child. Thus, this study would help the
parents to understand the relationship that is supposed to exist between the
mother and the child.
The
counsellors will benefit from the study since one of their major
responsibilities is the management of emotional instability that may manifest
in individuals. Maternal acceptance will actually presuppose the emotional
state of individuals. Understanding the influence of maternal acceptance as
they influence self-esteem will help the counsellor to manage problems of self
concept and self image. Immensely, this study will provide a dependable
instrument to measure the degree at which mother-child relationship may
influence personality development.
If
generally considered, not much has been done in this part of the country on the
influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem. This study is therefore
expected to establish a balance between Western findings and what is obtainable
in Nigeria. Thus the larger society stands the chance to benefit from the
study.
Operational Definition of Terms
For the purpose of this study, the following
terms are defined according to what they implied in the study.
Maternal Rejection: - A
phenomenon where mothers (parents) show a general indifference to their
children’s safety and lack of concern for their personality development.
Maternal Acceptance: - A
situation where mothers show care, love and concern, by providing the necessary
support that ensure adequate personality development of the child.
Parental Attitude: - This
refers to parent’s ways of thinking and response to the child’s physical,
social and emotional needs.
Self Esteem: - This
refers to having a good opinion of one’s own character and abilities.
Scope of the Study
The study was designed to investigate the
influence of maternal acceptance on self-esteem. The research covered all the
secondary school students in Kwara State. This study was limited to nine Local
Government Areas: Ilorin West, Asa, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Offa, Kaiama,
Moro and Patigi, Eighteen secondary schools were randomly selected and four
hundred and fifty (450) students were also be randomly selected for the study.
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