INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The home plays very important roles in values development and values re-orientation of children. The home has a great influence on the students’ psychological, emotional, and social and economics state. The quality of home environment goes a long way in determining the eventual personality and academic achievement of students since home is the first place of learning. Home background is the foundation for the children’s development, as such parental background in terms of moral values, family size, culture, religion, socio-economic status and educational attainment and qualification play important role in students’ educational achievement and social integration. Studies are replete with the importance of the home environment or parents on students’ academic performance. According to Ajila and Olutola (2000), the home affects the individual since their parents are the first socialising agents in an individual life. This is because the role of parents in instilling moral values in a child affects his or her reactions to life situations and level of academic performance in the school. Hence, it is through parents’ efforts and abilities that a child is socialized to become productive citizen. More so, students’ attitudes to learning and educational performance are shaped by the kind stimuli offered to them by their various environments. This can be considered in terms of the type of family, the home, parental social orientation, educational level and morals learnt from home. Similarly, the value that different parents attach to education could affect the child’s attitude to school and eventually affect his/her motivation for success in schoolwork.
The school is an institution where teaching and learning takes place. It is therefore the responsibility of the school to shape the lives of the young ones and equip them with the right values. It is instructive to note that the school compliments the home in developing and fostering moral value development in students which will help them become responsible citizens. By equipping students with the right value of honesty, hard work, punctuality, respect and the like, to become responsible and productive members of the society. Education could be described as a powerful tool not only for intellectual development but also for the development of shared beliefs, attitude, values, morals and ethical principles. One thing that is certain about the numerous definitions of education is that any education that does not lead to positive development is not worth it. Osokoya (2007) defined education as the systematic development and cultivation of the mind and natural powers. Education is a universal instrument par excellence for effective human and national development. is main aim of education generally, is to provide the child with the opportunity to fully develop his potentials and become stable mentally, physically, socially and morally. Moral, on the other hand, has been defined as standards, principles of good behaviour. Thus, moral values implies behaviour, attitude exhibited and encouraged by members of the society for the fact that they are both good and desirable to mankind generally as against those behaviours condemned and discouraged. Examples of moral values include faithfulness, self discipline, honesty, humility, brotherliness, patience, hardworking, truthfulness among others.
Values are transmitted from one generation to another and they keep the society alive and orderly. Thus, they are very important or useful to people. Bolarin (2005) saw value related issues as of great importance in education because we educate in and for society with a system of values. This being the case, one may say apart from some other socializing agencies like the church, peer group, age grade and school. Esu (2009) defined values as ideals that guide or qualify your personal conduct, interaction with others and involvement in your career. Enu and Esu (2011) noted that values are basic beliefs and attitude in a society whether of individuals or groups which are considered worthwhile and serve as guide to choices and behaviours in our daily life. Onyechi (2013) opined that people see value as principal, standards or qualities that are considered worthwhile and desirable. Omoni (2013) defined values as important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by members of a culture about what is good or bad or desirable. Values help to inform one on how he or she can conduct one’s life in a meaningful way. Different schools of thought consider values to mean trait, practices, acts, ideals, beliefs, attitude and principles that a group or society acknowledge to be of merit, worthwhile, dear, acceptable and right. Values therefore are deep seated beliefs that influence people’s actions and behaviours. It is therefore essential that every individual, group and indeed the entire nation must have core values which serve as the driving engines for growth and development. The acquisition of essential life values and ethical principles such as love, tolerance, honesty, dignity and respect for individuals’ right is vital for the survival of any nation or society. Bolarin (2005) identified some dominant values which formed the core values upheld by a larger section of the Nigerian society to include detesting laziness, dignity of labour, respect for parent/elders, hospitality, public spiritedness, and respect for authority, hard-work, and respect for sanctity of life, honesty and truthfulness. When these values are grossly compromised, then what you get is greed, corruption, dishonesty, violent crimes, political killings, kidnapping and so many other antisocial behaviours.
Values are a set of desirable behaviour by following which is good for the individual and also the society. This is the reason why values are not taught, lectured about or professed, they are only demonstrated. Parents and teachers are two categories of people who make maximum impact on the personality of an individual in the formative years of life which remains all through the life. The first school a child attends is his home and parents are the first teachers. With the help of their conduct and behaviour they induce an influence on their children. They play a major role in inculcating values in their children. Values are essential for a sound character and personality. But at times due to their sheer negligence a child lacks morally and ethically accepted values. Parents at times show a lot of concern for the children and instead of correcting they start to pamper even for their improper behaviour. It is actually detrimental for the growth of the child. Such parents are very possessive. Some of the parents are too strict with their children. They try to overpower their wards .They do not let the child enjoy the bliss of his innocence. They try to check him for whatever he does. Another class consists of those parents who are not much concerned about their children either due to lack of time or are not educated enough to guide their children. Whatever is the reason but it certainly affects the child’s behaviour. The parents handling of the children should be such that it could take care of all aspects and could provide firm guidance without being too strict. It is on the basis of the above premise that this study seeks to investigate the role of parents in the development of moral values among students of tertiary institutions.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The spate of moral decadence in Nigerian tertiary institutions has attracted the attention parents, teachers, the government, religious organisations and other stakeholders. It has been generally observed that morals and values are on the verge of collapse among tertiary students in Nigerian schools. Issue of culture and discipline in Nigerian schools has never been of much concern and threat to the educational system.
However, in the past few years, there have been rising incidents of serious misconduct by students. There are alleged cases of teachers being threatened and/or attacked by students in tertiary institutions. In some cases the attacks have been violent. In the midst of these problems, there is a growing debate over the declining standard of education as caused by students’ unrests; and the routine blaming of teachers for being unproductive. Parents have also been accused of abdicating their responsibility of rearing responsible children.
It is against this backdrop that this study sought to investigate the role of parents in the development of moral values among students of tertiary institutions in Delta state.1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the role of parents in the development of moral values among students of tertiary institutions. Specifically, this study seeks to:
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions provide guide for the conduct of the study.
1.5 Research Hypothesis
Sequel to the above research questions, the following null hypotheses were formulated and tested at alpha level 0.05 level of significance.
H0 1
H0 2:
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study could be of great importance to students as it could engender moral rebirth in students and the need to grow up to become responsible citizens.
The relevance of this study cannot be over emphasised. Since students look up to their mentors for guidance and models of which the teachers can serve, this findings of this study could help teachers to become more proactive and be good models to the students.
Similarly, the findings of this study could be of help to parents and families especially broken homes to devote more time and efforts to the upbringing of their children/wards. This is premised on the fact that the home is the cradle for the teaching of values.
This work may also provide necessary information to future researchers who may be interested in carrying out a similar study to the present study through its findings.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is delimited to the investigation of such variables as association between parental divorce and students’ identity formation; influence of social and reference groups on moral development and parental practices and moral value system of students in tertiary institution. In addition, this study is delimited in scope and coverage to students in tertiary institutions in Delta State only.