PARENTS  SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND THE ATTITUDE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS LEARNING

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

Education serves as a crucial pathway to opportunities and social mobility. However, in modern Nigeria, families play a vital role in their children's attitude towards learning and academic performance. In addition, various socioeconomc factors such as parental education level, occupation, income, social class, and type of leadership style influences a child's academic success. According to Fekadu et al (2019) parental socioeconomic status significantly impacts student's learning outcomes and academic performance. However, the responsibility of a child's upbringing primarily rests with the parents, aligning with sociological perspectives that view education as an instrument of cultural transmission starting at home (Polat, 2018). Similarly, it's widely acknowledged that a parent's economic background can significantly impact their children's academic success. Nevertheless, any factor affecting a child's developmental environment is likely to influence their education and attitude towards it, with parental socio-economic status being a notable example. Hornby (2021) defines socio-economic status as pertaining to the social and economic circumstances of individuals from various backgrounds. The socio-economic status of a family can significantly influence children's education, either positively or negatively.

Socio-economic status (SES) is commonly measured by combining education, income, and occupation, and is often conceptualized as the social status or class of an individual or group. On the other hand, low SES and its related factors, such as lower education, poverty, and poor health, ultimately impact societies as a whole. Research shows that children from low SES households and communities develop academic skills and learn  more slowly compared to those from higher SES backgrounds. Furthermore, Alken and Barbarin (2018) observed that schools in low SES communities are often under-resourced, which negatively affects students' learning process and academic progress. Families in these communities are less likely to have the financial resources or time to support their children's education. Likewise, Asiegbu & Ezeugborn(2015) noted that, despite various socio-economic and educational measures and policies like the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), austerity measures, Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Basic Education (UBE), and the devaluation of the naira, these initiatives have not improved the socio-economic and educational status of families in Nigeria. Instead, they have increased suffering and widened socio-economic disparities between families.Therefore, a survey will be conducted on the influence of parents socioeconomic status on the attitude of senior secondary school students' towards learning.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Teachers experience and qualifications are often blamed for the attitude and low academic performance of the students, without actually finding out other related factors that can contribute to the students‟ problem as far as learning is concerned. When students perform poorly, it is common for people to blame both the child and the teachers. However, should the entire responsibility fall on the teachers, who generally strive for their students' success? The reality is that a child's socialization foundation is established at home, where they spend significantly more time than at school. Various family factors can contribute to a student's high or low attitude towards learning and academic performance. According to Esther et al. (2017) socio-economic status is believed to influence students' attitude towards learning . Numerous studies suggest that students' attitude towards learning is influenced by many variables, including the social and economic classification of their parents (Eamon, 2015). The stratification of society into different classes and the association of parents with a particular class, along with its impact on their children's education, is a notable aspect of our society. Furthermore, family of lower socioeconomic status often lacks the financial, social and educational support that characterizes families with high socioeconomic status. Lower income families have inadequate or limited access to community resources that promotes and supports children’s development and school readiness. Despite numerous educational reforms, policies, measures, and programs implemented over the years, the quality of education and the accelerated academic performance of students in Nigeria remain elusive. This unsatisfactory situation can be attributed to various factors, with one significant variable being the socio-economic status of parents. It is against this backdrop that the research seeks to examine the influence of parents socioeconomic status on the attitude of senior secondary school students' towards learning.

1.3   Objectives of the Study

The study will be conducted with the following objectives;

To determine whether family size influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

To determine the extent to which parental educational background influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

To determine the extent to which parent occupation influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

To  determine whether parents income level influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

1.4   Research Questions

Does family size influence the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning?

To what extent does parental educational background influence the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning?

To what extent does parental occupation influence the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning?

Does parents' income level influence the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning?

1.5   Research hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will be tested.

H0:    Parents' socioeconomic status has no significant influence on the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

Ha:   Parents' socioeconomic status has significant influence on the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

The findings of this study will help educators develop targeted interventions to support students from diverse backgrounds.However, the insights from the study will guide the development of curricula that address the needs and challenges faced by students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, promoting equity in education.Additionally,it will help parents understand the impact of their socioeconomic status on their children's attitudes towards learning, encouraging them to engage more actively in their education regardless of their financial situation. Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard the influence of parents socioeconomic status on the attitude of senior secondary school students' towards learning.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This study will be focused on examine the influence of parents socioeconomic status on the attitude of senior secondary school students' towards learning. Empirically, the study will determine whether family size influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning, the extent to which parental educational background and parent occupation influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning, determine the extent to which  influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning and determine whether parents income level influences the attitude of senior secondary school students towards learning.

Students of selected secondary schools in Chikun, Kaduna State will serve as participants for the survey of this study.

1.7 Limitations Of The Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Socio-Economic Status: This refers to the level of social stratification of individuals in a given society. It is the socio-economic distinction amongst members of the society.

Parents: This means father, mother or guardians 

Students: This means a person who is studying at a college, polytechnic or university; boy or girl attending schools; anyone who studies or who is devoted to the acquisition of knowledge.