Parenting Styles Experienced by Learners and Academic Performance in Selected Primary Schools in Likuyani District, Western Kenya

Abstract The study correlated parenting styles and academic performance of learners in selected primary schools in Likuyani District, Western Kenya. It was guided by the following objectives: 1) to determine the profile of the learners as to age, gender, level of academic performance and rank in the family; 2) to determine the type of parenting styles experienced by learners; 3) to determine the level of academic performance of learners and 4)) to establish if there is a significant relationship between type of parenting styles and level of learners academic performance. Ex post facto and descriptive correlation design was employed. There were 111 respondents from ten selected primary schools in Likuyani District. The questionnaire on parenting styles was adopted from Dr. N. Sumil while the academic performance were taken from annua~ mean scores of learners. Frequencies and percentages, means and Pearson Linear Coefficient correlation were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that most respondents were aqed above 11 years with 78%. There was almost perfect gender balance between males and females (SS% and 45%) respectively. The level of academic performance was low in early childhood learners and high in primary education learners. On parenting styles, it was revealed that mothers did not exert much authority over their children as compared to fathers who exposed more of authoritative parenting styles. Overall conducive parenting style that impacted academic performance was authoritative (3.177) compared to (2.83) and (2.756) of authoritarian and permissive respectively. On comparing early childhood development education and primary education. Primary learners performed better than the early childhood development education learners, a phenomenon related majority to age. The level of parenting styles was generally good with a mean of (2.756). The learners’ marks were rated good with a mean of 2.48 (range of marks 40-59), It was found that the extent of parenting style was significantly correlated with the level of learners’ academic performance. Parenting styles had an influence on learners’ academic performance. Parenting styles had an influence on learners’ academic performance based on the findings of the study. The following conclusion was drawn: 1) there was a significant difference in the level of learners academic performance between male and female learners 2) the extent of parenting styles be strengthened to enhance academic performance. 3) the Ministry of Education to revise the curriculum content to embrace both teachers and parents input on academic performance, 4) the further analysis of parenting style should be done by researchers in order to achieve efficient and effective learning of children and 4) for the future researchers to investigate these areas: (a) permissiveness parenting style of mothers on academic performance (b) parenting styles experienced by female learners throughout childhood and (c) level of education as an indicator of academic performance.

 Table of Contents

Preliminaries

Declaration A

Declaration B H

Approval sheet Hi

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract vi

Table of Contents vU

List of Tables ix

List of Figures x

Acronyms xi

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement off the Problem 2

Purpose off the Study 3

Research Objectives 3

Research Questions 4

Null Hypotheses 4

Scope 4

Significance of the Study S

Operational Definitions off Key Terms 6

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Authors/Experts 7

Theoretical Perspectives 14

Summary off gaps 17

Related Studies 21

Three METHODOLOGY 22

Research Design 21

Research Population 21

Sample Size 21

Sampling Procedure 23

Research Instruments 23

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 23

Data Gathering Procedures 23

Data Analysis 24

Ethical Considerations 25

Limitations of the Study 25

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 26

Profile of the Respondents 27

Significant Differences Between the Mother’s and Father’s Type

of Parenting Styles and Level of Academic Performance Between

the Early Childhood Learners and Primary School Learners 35

Relationship between the Type of Parenting Styles (Mother and

Father) and Level of Academic Performance 36

Regression Analysis Between the Dependent and Independent

Variables 38

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 40

Findings 40

Conclusions 41

Recommendations

References ‘12

Appendices

Appendix I Transmittal Letter from CHDR 45

Appendix lB Transmittal Letter for the Respondents 46

Appendix II Clearance from Ethics Committee 47

Appendix III Informed Consent 48

Appendix IV A Face Sheet: Demographic Characteristics

of the Respondents 49

Appendix V Proposed Data Presentation Through Tables 50

Researchers Curriculum Vitae 52