Family types and truancy behaviour among secondary school students in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State

Abstract

The study examined family type and truancy behaviour among secondary school students in Oriade Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun state, Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive survey design of the ex-post facto approach. Respondents were one Hundred and Fifty secondary school students, selected using the stratified sampling technique, from five secondary schools. Truancy Behaviour Questionnaire (TBQ) was used to obtain data from the respondents. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and t-test statistical methods. The results revealed no significant variation in truancy behaviour among secondary school students from intact families, single-parent families and stepfamilies in Oriade LGA of Osun State. (f=1.19,p>70.05).The results further indicated significant gender difference in family type suggestion of truancy behaviour between: males in intact families and females in stepfamilies, (t=3.76,p<0.05); males in intact families and females in single-parent families, (t=2.60,p<0.05); males in stepfamilies and females in intact families, (t=4.32,p<0.05); males in stepfamilies and females in single-parent families, (t=3.11,p<0.05), males in single-parent families and females in intact families, (t=5.29,p<0.05), and males in single-parent families and females in stepfamilies, (t=3.62,p<0.05). Similarly, the results demonstrated significant age difference among family type suggestion of truancy behaviour of secondary school student:15-18 years, intact family and single-parent family,(t=6.30, p<0.05); 15-18 years, stepfamilies and single-parent families (t=5.48, p<0.05); 18 and above, intact and step family, (t=2.89,p<0.05); and18 and above, stepfamily and single-parent family,(t=3.92,p<0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that, parents irrespective of family type should adequately supervise their children (biological or step) and sufficiently monitor both their indoor and outdoor activities.

Key-word: Family type, intact families, single-parent families, stepfamilies, truancy behaviour.