1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Adolescents today, are generally perceived by the adults as a group who constantly engage in activities which are contrary to the norms, ethics and values of the society. According to Omoegun (2000), the adolescents due to their behaviour which are inimical to society's norms and values, many at times, fail short of the demands of the society. The society demands that the youths should present good conducts and norms which are acceptable to the general community, which are also prerequisites for healthy living and good interactions in the society.
Adolescence is a transitional phase in human development characterized by exploration, identity formation, and increased susceptibility to external influences. This period is marked by heightened social awareness and sensitivity, making adolescents particularly vulnerable to the effects of social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability. Understanding how these factors shape adolescents' behavioral patterns is essential for fostering positive developmental outcomes. Social demand refers to societal expectations and norms that adolescents feel compelled to meet. These demands may stem from family, school, or community settings and often include academic performance, career aspirations, and conforming to cultural values. According to Steinberg (2021), social expectations can significantly shape adolescents' attitudes and behaviors, as they strive to fulfill perceived obligations to gain recognition or approval.
As Onyedika (2003) observes, no decent society would like its youths to be recalcitrant to its laid down values and accepted norms. Agunloye (2000) states that it is very essential for parents to watch out for the company that their adolescent children associate with or keep. A popular adage says, “show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. This means that if a child associates with drug pushes or abusers, sooner or later, he would join the group. Or if he/she associates with rogues and armed robbers, he/she would sooner or later be persuaded to join the group on one of their trips and share in the booty”. A trial will convince you! So they say.
Social demand refers to the expectations and pressures placed on individuals by society, families, or communities. In the context of adolescents, social demand includes the pressure to conform to societal norms, achieve academic success, and meet the aspirations of parents and peers. These demands can affect adolescents' self-esteem and decision-making processes (Steinberg, 2021). Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes that influence behavior. During this period, external factors such as social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability often play pivotal roles in shaping adolescents' behavioral patterns. According to Steinberg (2021), societal pressures can significantly impact adolescents' decision-making processes, as they strive to gain acceptance and recognition within their social circles (Steinberg, 2021).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to explore the development and management of indigenous fisheries.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that adolescent life is no doubt, a life full of storm and stress. Many adolescents have grown wings and flown above parental control, due to peer pressure and bad ganging up. In many circumstances now, the youths in the society have turned recalcitrants, they hardly obey the rules and regulations stipulated by their parents, teachers and the significant others in the community or the school. The economic downturn in Nigeria today, has caused parents and many adults to become handicapped, and could not usurp authorities on the young ones. In this circumstance, the youths have turned away from their parents, and have focused attention to their peers who have swayed them into becoming armed robbers, prostitutes, violent demonstrators, examination cheats, thieves, hired assassins, thuggs, rioters, rapers drug abusers and addicts etc.
Due to the fact that youths of these days have not met the social demands of good values and norms of parents, teachers and others in the larger society, it has not augured well in the social community where orderliness and decorum are expected of all decent members of the society. For this lapses in lives of the young ones, the society, and indeed, parents, teachers and other adult members of the larger community have been at great pain and distress due to the seeming lack of good behaviour in majority of our youngsters. For instance, the laid down norms and expected values of the society, especially of parents and teachers are neglected by the youths, this has caused our social system, a great collapse, and no wonder there is so much decay in the system nowadays.
The above problems necessitated the examination of the influence of social demands; peer pressure and economic instability on adolescents' behavioural patterns.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the influence of social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability on adolescents' behavioral patterns. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the extent to which social demand affects the behavioral patterns of adolescents.
- To explore the role of peer pressure in shaping adolescents' decisions and actions.
- To analyze the impact of economic instability on adolescents' emotional well-being and behavior.
- To identify the interplay between social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability in influencing adolescents' behavior.
- To recommend strategies for mitigating the negative effects of these factors and promoting positive adolescent development.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How does social demand influence the behavioral patterns of adolescents?
- What role does peer pressure play in shaping the decisions and actions of adolescents?
- In what ways does economic instability affect the emotional well-being and behavior of adolescents?
- How do social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability interact to influence adolescents' behavior?
- What strategies can be implemented to mitigate the negative effects of these factors and promote positive behavioral patterns among adolescents?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: Social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability have no significant influence on adolescents' behavioral patterns.
- H02: Peer pressure plays a significant role in shaping the decisions and actions of adolescents.
- H03: There is a significant interplay between social demand, peer pressure, and economic instability in influencing adolescents' behavior.
- H04: Implementing targeted strategies significantly mitigates the negative effects of these factors and promotes positive behavioral patterns among adolescents.
1.6 Significance of Study
This study is essential when we consider the power of peer group influence on the students and the need for guidance to enable the students understand and adjust well within the school environment. Additionally, the research work would be a contribution to knowledge and literature in the area that the study covered. It will also help to check some re-occurring problems which may hinder the attainment of well planned curriculum.
This study will also be beneficial to the following individuals:
Parents:
Parents, no doubt, are those who nurture and take care of children after giving birth to them in the home. With this findings and recommendations made in this study, parents would be well informed, pertaining to different levels of patterns of parenting in the home. This study, no doubt will enable parents/guardians to be able to know how best to rear their children and wards, it will help them to be able to identify those recommended parenting styles that will give the children or wards good rearing process and upbringing in the society. This is because children reared in proper ways by good parenting styles, will be different from the children reared under bad or harsh parenting styles. With the application of this recommended styles of parenting, parents would be able to rear children who would be very respectful to them and the society.
Adolescents:
The children, especially the youth in the society would benefit from the recommendations of this study because it will help them to understand the way of nurturing and bringing them up as adolescent. With this study, children would be able to identify some of the values in the family and society. With this study also, adolescents would be enable to know that they ought to be controlled and obedient to their parents, teachers and the significant others in their communities.
Teachers:
Teachers would no doubt, be able to understand more, the different aspect of adolescents' behaviours. Some teachers are parents also, they will be exposed to the essence of child-upbringing by reading this work. This study will create important knowledge on parents' demands, peer grouping and economic instability. Teachers will also be able to learn the more, that good parenting would be beneficial to both the teachers and the school system where both the teachers and the children are found. This is because, if the children are well brought up, they would be good and right thinking individuals in the society and the school.
The Society:
The society will benefit from this study because there will be great impact of this study on the individual in the society. Also both the new researchers and students who want to carry out new research on topics related to this study will find this study a reference point or material.
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study covers the influence of social demand, peer pressure and economic instability on adolescents' patterns of behaviours in Lagos State: Implication for Counselling.
This research was carried out in the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State. The idea behind carrying this study in Kosofe area is because; Kosofe Local Government area is one of the populous Local Development Areas in Lagos. It is one of the oldest local government areas in the state.
In this study, the main constraints are sourcing of materials and other logistics that may crop up during the investigation of this problem, and may subsequently hinder the timely completion of the project. Also, the respondents' unwillingness to give correct and sincere information regarding the study will be a hindrance.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Social Demand: Social demand refers to the expectations and pressures placed on individuals by society, families, or communities. In the context of adolescents, social demand includes the pressure to conform to societal norms, achieve academic success, and meet the aspirations of parents and peers. These demands can affect adolescents' self-esteem and decision-making processes (Steinberg, 2021).
Peer Pressure: Peer pressure is the influence exerted by individuals within an adolescent's peer group to adopt certain behaviors, attitudes, or actions to fit in or gain approval. Peer pressure can be both positive and negative, but it often leads to adolescents engaging in activities or making decisions they might not otherwise consider (Brown & Larson, 2019).
Economic Instability: Economic instability refers to fluctuations in the economy that lead to uncertainty, such as high unemployment rates, inflation, or income inequality. For adolescents, economic instability often translates into challenges like lack of access to resources, increased family stress, and a feeling of insecurity. This can impact their mental health, academic performance, and overall behavior (Evans & Kim, 2020).
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