Project – Impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

Parenting style and birth order have been identified as significant factors influencing the personality development of adolescents. Baumrind (1967) proposed three main types of parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive, each with distinct characteristics and potential impacts on children’s development. Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth, responsiveness, and demandingness, has been linked to positive developmental outcomes, including social competence and academic achievement. In contrast, authoritarian parenting, characterized by high demandingness but low responsiveness, has been associated with lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression in adolescents (Steinberg, 2001).

Birth order, another crucial factor, has been extensively studied in relation to personality development. According to Adler’s birth order theory (1928), first-borns are often more conscientious and achievement-oriented, while later-borns tend to be more agreeable and open to new experiences. Sulloway (1996) further argued that birth order could influence personality through differential parental investment and sibling competition. However, these theories have been challenged by recent large-scale studies suggesting that birth order has minimal impact on personality (Damian & Roberts, 2015).

In the context of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, the impact of parenting style and birth order on adolescent personality development remains under-researched. The region’s unique socio-cultural context, characterized by a strong emphasis on family values and respect for elders, may interact with parenting styles and birth order in shaping adolescents’ personality development. For instance, authoritarian parenting may be more prevalent and socially accepted in this context, potentially moderating its negative impacts on adolescents’ self-esteem and mental health (Okorodudu, 2010).

However, the influence of birth order may be more complex due to the prevalent practice of polygamy in the region. With multiple wives and large families, the traditional concept of birth order may not apply straightforwardly. Instead, factors such as the mother’s status within the family and the child’s gender may play more significant roles in shaping personality development (Madu & Ndom, 2003)

Despite these insights, more empirical research is needed to understand the specific impacts of parenting style and birth order on adolescent personality development in Port Harcourt Local Government Area. Future studies should consider the region’s unique socio-cultural context and potentially confounding factors such as family size, socio-economic status, and parental education level.

Furthermore, while parenting style and birth order are widely recognized as important influences on adolescent personality development, their impacts in the specific context of Port Harcourt Local Government Area remain largely unexplored. This literature review highlights the need for further research in this area, taking into account the region’s unique socio-cultural characteristics and the potential interplay between various influencing factors.

• Statement of the Problem

Parenting style and birth order have been identified as significant factors influencing the personality development of adolescents. Baumrind (1967) proposed three main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive, each with distinct characteristics and potential impacts on children’s development. Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth, responsiveness, and high expectations, has been linked to positive outcomes in children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development (Steinberg, 2001). On the other hand, authoritarian parenting, characterized by strict rules and high expectations, can lead to children’s low self-esteem and social competence (Kim, 2005). Permissive parenting, characterized by low expectations and high responsiveness, can result in children’s poor self-control and low academic achievement (Lamborn et al., 1991).

The birth order theory, proposed by Adler (1928), suggests that the order in which a child is born into a family significantly influences their personality and behavior. First-borns are often described as responsible, reliable, and conforming, while middle children are seen as sociable and somewhat rebellious, and last-borns as charming and manipulative (Sulloway, 1996). However, the impact of birth order on personality development is not universally agreed upon, with some studies finding minimal or no significant effects (Harris, 2006).

In the context of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, the impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents is a relatively under-researched area. However, a study by Okorodudu (2010) on the influence of parenting style on the academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers State found that students from authoritative homes performed better acadically than those from authoritarian and permissive homes. This suggests that parenting style may also have an impact on other aspects of development, such as personality.

Furthermore, a study by Eke (2012) on the influence of birth order on the academic performance of students in Port Harcourt found that first-borns and last-borns performed better academically than middle children. This could potentially indicate a link between birth order and personality traits such as responsibility and motivation. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Furthermore, both parenting style and birth order have been found to have significant impacts on the personality development of adolescents. However, more research is needed in the context of Port Harcourt Local Government Area to fully understand these relationships and their implications. Future research could also explore potential interactions between parenting style and birth order, as well as other factors such as socioeconomic status and cultural background.

• Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area

1. To examine the relationship between different parenting styles and the personality development of adolescents.
2. To investigate the influence of birth order on the personality traits of adolescents in the same region.
3. To identify the combined effect of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents.
4. To understand the prevalent parenting styles and how they affect adolescent personality development.

• Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. What is the relationship between different parenting styles and the personality development of adolescents?
2. How does birth order influence the personality traits of adolescents in the same region?
3. What is the combined effect of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area?
4. What are the prevalent parenting styles and how do they affect adolescent personality development?

• Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

Ho: Birth order has no significant impact on the personality traits of adolescents in the same region

H1: Birth order has significant impact on the personality traits of adolescents in the same region

• Significance of the Study

The study of the impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area holds significant importance in several ways.

Firstly, it provides a comprehensive understanding of how different parenting styles and birth order can shape the personality development of adolescents. This knowledge can be beneficial for parents, educators, and psychologists to devise strategies that can foster positive personality development in adolescents.

Secondly, the study can contribute to the existing body of literature on adolescent psychology and personality development. It can provide empirical evidence from a specific region – Port Harcourt Local Government Area, thereby adding a geographical dimension to the research in this field.

Thirdly, the findings of this study can be used by policymakers and educational institutions to design interventions and programs that cater to the specific needs of adolescents based on their birth order and the parenting style they are exposed to.

Fourthly, the study can also be instrumental in raising awareness among parents about the potential impact of their parenting style and the birth order of their children on their personality development. This can encourage them to adopt more effective parenting strategies that can contribute to the overall well-being and development of their children.

Fifthly, the study can also provide insights into the cultural aspects of parenting and family dynamics in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area. This can be useful for social scientists and anthropologists studying family structures and parenting in different cultural contexts.

Lastly, the study can also pave the way for further research in this area. For instance, future studies can explore the impact of other family-related factors on the personality development of adolescents, or they can investigate the same research questions in different geographical or cultural settings.

• Scope of the Study

The study examines the impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

• Operational Definition of Terms

Impact: This term refers to the effect or influence that an event, situation, or entity has on something else. In this context, it refers to the effect that parenting style and birth order have on the personality development of adolescents.

Parenting Style: This refers to the standard strategies that parents use in their child rearing. There are typically four types of parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Each style has a different approach to raising children, and can thus have different impacts on a child’s development.

Birth Order: This term refers to the order in which siblings are born into a family. It is often believed to have a significant impact on a child’s personality and behavior, as it can influence the roles, responsibilities, and relationships within the family.

Personality Development: This is the development of the organized pattern of behaviors and attitudes that makes a person distinctive. It occurs by the ongoing interaction of temperament, character, and environment.

Adolescents: This term refers to individuals who are in the stage of development that occurs between childhood and adulthood, typically from ages 13 to 19. This is a critical period of physical, emotional, and social development, and is often when personality traits become more stable.

Project – Impact of parenting style and birth order on the personality development of adolescents in Port Harcourt Local Government Area