The influence of parenting styles on the social behaviour of students : a case of Makerere University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence of parenting styles on the social behaviour of students. The study was guided by three objectives namely to find out the nature of parenting styles that nurtured students of Makerere University; to find out the influence of parenting styles on the social behaviour of students of Makerere University; to find out ways of enhancing positive parenting of students in Makerere University. The study was purely qualitative in nature and employed a purposive sampling strategy to identify the participants. The sample size of the study was relatively small with a total number of ten participants. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using thematic analysis method. The findings of the study were presented in narrative form so as to enhance quicker and better understanding of the influence of parenting styles on the social behaviour of students. The findings of the study cited warmth and responsiveness with limited control and expectations, nurturing and accepting with few expectations, low demands with low responsiveness as styles which have a significant influence on the social behaviours of student. These were thoroughly discussed in detail by the researcher. The study concluded with some recommendations including the need for social workers to advocate for the development of family-centred policies and services that prioritize the wellbeing of students and support parental involvement in their upbringing. Collaborate with policymakers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote initiatives that recognize the importance of family dynamics in shaping children's social behaviours. By advocating for family-centred approaches, social workers can create environments that nurture positive parent-child relationships and support children's social development.