THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER GROUP PRESSURE AND BULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER GROUP PRESSURE AND BULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between peer group pressure and bullying behavior among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Lagos metropolis. The descriptive survey design was used in this study. The research instrument used for this study was a questionnaire tagged PPBBAQ which was adapted by the researcher. The population of this study covered the students in selected secondary schools in Ejigbo Local Government area of Lagos State where data was collected using simple random sampling. Collected data was analyzed using Pearson moment correlation co-efficient statistical tools, descriptive statistics. Demographic data such as gender, age, and class were used. Findings showed that peer pressure has a relationship with bullying. It was concluded that there is a relationship between bullying and gender of the participants. It was therefore recommended that school administrators, vice principals and teachers should refer all victims and perpetrators of bullying to the counsellor.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

Schools have always been recognised as an institution for the transfer of knowledge and culture to the future generation. It is a dynamic human system dedicated to the nurturing of mutual growth and understanding between children and adult.

The school is an institution designed for the teaching of students enrolled in it and part of the purpose of the school is to develop the student through knowledge acquisition so that he/she may become a social being. By this, the student is expected to learn how to relate with fellow students, teachers and significant others in the school on the one hand, live in a harmonious way (by blending with societal values) in the society on the other hand. The school is also expected to be a place where students should feel safe and secure, and where they count on being treated with respect. The reality, however seem to be that only few students or pupils can harmoniously with their school mates without experiencing violence in the school.

Human beings are gregarious and social in nature. They hardly live in isolation but prefer to live and interact with one another. The urge to interact creates some challenges, which need to be addressed. Therefore, in order to achieve development, norms are developed to guide human interactions. Although, the norms may vary from one place to the other, there are some commonalities. One of such norms, which promotes friendship and discourages aggressive behaviours is positive interpersonal relationship. However, interpersonal relationship among secondary school students in Nigeria is gradually being threatened by deviant behaviours such as bullying. Bullying has become a source of concern to counsellors, teachers, school administrators and parents due to its adverse effects on relationship among students. Smith (2001) reported that ten percent of children in America indicated that they had ben bullied by other students, but had not bullied others. Another six percent stated that they had been bullied and had also bullied other children.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER GROUP PRESSURE AND BULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS