A Sound Study Of The Effects Of Divorced Parents On Their Children’s Academic Performance In Selected Secondary School In Kansanga Sub-Parish

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in Kansanga Sub-Parish between July 2007 and September 2007. The aim of the study was to observe the effects of Parental Divorce on children’s academic performance within the Parish. The specific objectives were to determine the effects of Parental Divorce on a student’s academic performance, to examine the need to change the attitude and perspective towards family values, to develop a criteria for identifying the minor and major effects of marriage breakdown on students from these families and to come up With strategies and conclusion from which recommendations were made to students from divorced families and the society at large. The study used qualitative and quantitative designs in which Data was collected once through structural questionnaire with son~e open and closed ended questions. A total of 90 respondents were involved in this study in which were three groups of people i.e. students from Divorced families, members of the Kansanga community, and teachers who teach these children. Stratified Random sampling was used to get the intended respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and tabulation in some cases were used to summarize the information. Results show that lack of communication, adultery, economic or financial constraints are the major causes of divorce within Kansanga Sub-Parish. The major effects of Parental Divorce on students were, poor adjustment, decline in the academic field. The researcher wishes to recommend strategies vital for enhancing good marriages and hence curbing the effects of Parental Divorce on the society specifically on their children.