INFLUENCE OF PEER GROUP ON THE IMMORAL BEHAVIOR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

 CHAPTER ONE

INRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Aspirations in life can be achieved or thwarted by the influence of one’s peers. Peer pressure is occurring more and more in teens because of the fear that friends can leave them if they do not conform to the norms and values of the peer group (Rima, 2008). When starting college life, it is sometimes normal for students to feel influenced by their peers as they negotiate and manage new structures around friendships, belief systems and where they fit in. Peer pressure can cause students to do or say things they would not normally do or say. It is not always a bad thing: pressure from a student’s peers to study harder or to stand up to bullying can have positive results. But on the flip slide, some influences can be negative, such as pressure from peers to treat some people badly or to engage in risky behaviours such as smoking (Rima, 2008). This type of peer pressure can impact on students‟ self-confidence and self-concept, and may isolate them from their family and friends. Corsaro (1985) as quoted by Tetteh et al., (2021) mentions that as age mates especially young adults interact day after day, they invent routines that reflect age-related concerns and perceptions of the adults‟ world and create a sense of group identity. Young adolescents easily conform to behaviour patterns of their peers (Owens, 2002). Research has proven that peer pressure may lead individuals to behave in a way that they do not usually do and also that adolescents are more vulnerable to peer influence for it is their time for experimenting with new identities and experiences (Stuart, 2001). 

In recent time, immoral behaviour has become a major challenge among adolescents, and it has gone beyond ordinary youthful exuberance to committing heinous crimes. The young ones who are believed to be the hope of the nation, the future leaders and the strength of the country are turning into criminals by the day. It is therefore sufficient to state that the whole country is resting on a keg of gun powder that may explode any time soon. The participation of adolescents in immoral activities is becoming out of control to parents, school administrators, police and other organs saddled with the responsibility of handling such issues. Fareo (2015) opined that immoral behaviour among students has become a worldwide affair. Immoral behaviour among secondary school students has constituted a great worry to schools, parents, governments, and the society at large. This act may take place in small schools, large schools, single-sex, coeducational schools, traditional and progressive schools. Schools are potentially excellent location for immoral activities as friendship and common experience already binds many young people. These acts may have a deteriorating effect on schools and learning as their presence is threatening and intimidating for others, who feel unsafe and edgy. 

The rate at which adolescents exhibit immoral behaviour such as truancy, fighting, shouting, bullying, cheating, viewing pornography, threatening teachers, aggression, cultism, riot, agitation, physical assault, rape, verbal assault, destruction of school property, drinking, smoking, drug abuse and sales, examination malpractices, weapon carrying, gambling, laziness, sluggishness, rudeness, among others is seen as a threat to peaceful co-existence and societal serenity (Adeniyi & Jinadu, 2021). Temitayo et al., (2013) stated that misbehaviours are rampant in schools due to the activities of students who constitute themselves into gangs in schools. These disruptive behaviours among secondary school students are seen as a major threat to the administrative efforts of the school authority (Louis, 2017). This is because students who are indiscipline are arrogant, lack respect for elders in general and teachers in particular. They also have the tendency to destroy school properties. These behaviours are detrimental to their achievement, self-esteem, and employment potentials. Consequently, it would lead to low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and may also cause students to drop out of school (Okwakpam & Okwakpam, 2017).

This study therefore is poised in finding out the influence of peer pressure on the immoral behaviour of secondary school students in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In a society that is constantly changing, it is irrefutable fact that, human beings can be influenced either through subtle or obvious means. These influences bring changes in ones behaviour to meet the perceived expectations of others (Burns & Darling, 2002). Individuals learn these behaviours from observing others participate in them or from environmental dictates (Tetteh et. al., 2021).

  The rate at which adolescents exhibit immoral behaviour such as truancy, fighting, shouting, bullying, cheating, viewing pornography, threatening teachers, aggression, cultism, riot, agitation, physical assault, rape, verbal assault, destruction of school property, drinking, smoking, drug abuse and sales, examination malpractices, weapon carrying, gambling, laziness, sluggishness, rudeness, among others is seen as a threat to peaceful co-existence and societal serenity (Tetteh et. al., 2021).

In Ganye Local Government Area Adamawa State, there have been series of reports on immoral behaviour activities among secondary school students. For instance, the researcher observed that secondary school students in various schools are into the habit of drug abuse, watching of pornographic movies while in school, wearing of skimpy school uniforms, having sexual intercourse in isolated classrooms, bullying junior students and colleagues alike, involvement in cultism, stealing, truancy, late coming, smoking and numerous unwanted and uncultured activities.

The researcher further observed that most of these activities were carried out by a particular group of students whom might be influenced and encouraged by each other. The researcher further observed that the set of students are academically poor perhaps due to their unstable classroom attendance and inability of do assignments and write continuous assessment tests. Therefore, this study dwells on the influence of peer group on the immoral behavior of secondary school students in Ganye Local Government Area. 

Objective of the Study 

The main objective of this study is the influence of peer group on the immoral behavior of secondary school students in Ganye Local Government Area. While the specific objectives include:

1. Identify types of immoral behaviour that are common among the secondary school students. 

2. Determine the influence of peer pressure on immoral behaviour among secondary school students in the study area. 

1.4 Research Questions 

The under listed research questions were raised for the study: 

1. What are the types of immoral behaviours that are common among the secondary school students?  

2. How do peer group influence secondary school students’ immoral behaviour in the study area? 

1.4 Hypothesis 

There is no significant influence of peer pressure on immoral behaviour among secondary school students in the study area.

1.5 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The research work covers some selected public secondary schools in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The study is delimited to peer influence on the immoral behavior of students.

1.6 Significance of the Study 

It is hoped that the findings of this study will enable the school management to develop new policies on peer-group association in secondary schools. And it is also expected that this study will create awareness of the negative outcome of peer-group ideas and activities in secondary schools. This awareness, it is anticipated, will make the government and education planners create statutory regulations that will govern social interactions among secondary schools. It is also anticipated that the parent-teacher-association will create processes to identify the practice of peer-groups in the schools with the view to stamping-out juvenile delinquency arising from peer interactions. 

It is expected that the result of this study will be of great importance to parents, students, policy makers, educators, communities, to all individuals and organization who play vital roles in the establishment, expansion and operation of standard secondary schools in Ganye Local Government Area. 

Parents will learn to appreciate the contribution of the government and in the establishment and management of secondary schools for the future and wellbeing of their children and wards. The study is also expected to provide parents with knowledge on the influence of peer group on each other. Policy makers especially educational planners and curriculum experts will learn to appreciate the effort of the private individuals who have ventured into the educational sector by formulating policies that will help them in the smooth running of their schools.

The result of this work will be a source of guide to incoming researchers on the influence of peer group on students’ immoral behaviours.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Behaviours- This refers to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour exhibited.

Immoral- These are unacceptable behaviours exhibited by senior secondary school students in Ganye Local Government Area.  

Peer Group-a peer group is defined as a small group of similar age, fairly close friends, sharing the same activities.

Students- This refers to senior secondary school students that fall within the age range of 13-19 years in Ganye Local Government Area.