Family Instability And Juvenile Delinquency: A Study Of Owerri Municipality

ABSTRACT

The increasing rate of juvenile delinquency has become a major social problem globally and

locally. Researchers and concerned individuals have traced the preponderance of juvenile

delinquency to the increasing rate of family instability among other factors. However, concerted

inquiries into the influence of family instability on juvenile delinquency have resulted in a raging

controversy. While some researchers have found a significant relationship between family

instability and juvenile delinquency, others have suggested otherwise. Against this backdrop, this

study set out to fill this yawning gap in literature and also to examine the relationship between

family instability and juvenile delinquency in Owerri Municipality. Using the purposive sampling

method, 510 senior secondary school students were selected for this study from 10

comprehensive secondary schools in Owerri Municipality. The questionnaire and the interview

guide were used for data collection. 3 hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. The

hypotheses were tested with the chi-square (x2) statistic. The results of the analyses suggested

that children from unstable homes were more likely to engage in juvenile delinquency than their

counterparts from more stable homes; inadequate parental supervision predicted delinquency

while considerable familial conflicts increased the likelihood of delinquency. This study

recommended among other things that Governments, counselors and concerned agencies should

routinely develop programmes aimed at sensitizing parents and care-givers on parent roles and

obligations.

Read Download