Perceived Influence of Family Background on School-Based Social Problems Among Senior Secondary School Students in Epe Educational District, Lagos State

Abstract

This study assessed the perceived influence of family background on school-based social problems among senior secondary school students in Epe Educational District, Lagos State.  The study assessed the influence of family background on students’ drug abuse and addiction and examined the influence of family background on the students’ violent behaviour.  The two research questions set to guide the study are does family background influence students’ involvement in drug abuse and addiction and does family background influence students’ violent behaviours? A survey research design was adopted for the study. The

study involved ten senior secondary schools and 149 senior secondary school students within Epe Educational District of Lagos State.  Purposive sampling was used to select schools and convenience sampling enabled the selection of respondents. A questionnaire tagged “Family Background and School Based Social Problems Questionnaire” (FBSBSPQ) (R=0.82) was used for data collection.  The collected data were coded and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings show that parents social and employment status, family emotional support and parent housing patterns influence students towards abusing drugs and engaging in violent behaviours. Based on the findings, it is recommended that parents continue to be good role models for the students. This will help the students exhibit their best behaviour in society. Schools should continue to give reports of the students’ behaviour to their parents from time to time, as this will allow parents also to adjust their ways of life where necessary.