The Evaluation of Children’s Values and its Influence on the Psychological Development of Early Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined Child Upbringing Values and its influence on the Psychosocial Development of Early Adolescents in Buea Sub-Division, Cameroon. Child upbringing values considered for this study were morals, tolerance and respect for elders and authority which were examined alongside psychosocial development indicators such as good manners, honesty, respect, positive communication, nurturing and responsive relationship, friendship, competitive greatness, team spirit, industrious and self-control, selfawareness, empathy, poise, loyalty. The objectives for the study were to: Investigate the influence of morals as a cultural value on the development of social skills in early adolescents, to examine the influence of tolerance as a cultural value on the development of emotional competence in early adolescents, to find out the influence of respect of elders and authority as a cultural value on the development of social competence in early adolescents. The study was anchored on Super &Harkness Developmental Niche Framework. The research design used was cross-sectional survey, the study made use of both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was generated from the administration of 120 closed-ended questionnaire for early adolescents selected randomly in the four locality of the Buea Municipality and two FGD for parents (6 number of mothers and 8 number of fathers). Data collected from the field was subjected to descriptive, exploratory and inferential statistics. However, responses from the closed-ended items were analysed qualitatively and the thematic approach was used for the FGD guide for parents. For descriptive statistics, frequencies and proportions, and Multiple-Response-Analysis (MRS) were used. For inferential statistics, Spearman’s Rho Correlation test was used to test the different research questions, while Chi-Square test of Equality of Proportions was used to compare perceptions between male and female early adolescents. Findings showed that Morals as a cultural value does not significantly influenced the psychosocial development of early adolescents (R=0.150; P=0.089), Tolerance as a cultural value significantly influence the psychosocial development of early adolescents (R=0.357; P=0.00) and Respect for elders and authorities significantly influence the psychosocial development of early adolescents (R=0.421; P=0.00). It was therefore recommended that early adolescents should endeavour to have a better understanding of early adolescence as a stage of human development, the psychosocial hallmarks of this stage, together with the numerous developmental issues that can occur if the stage is not properly handled and also be mindful of their activities so as to avoid the repercussions that are associated with this stage of development. Furthermore, early adolescents should understand that they need to internalise the upbringing values their parents are inculcating in them to better their living standards and holistic development. In addition, Laws should be streamlined to prioritise family stability and more specifically parental supervision or care on early adolescents to the economic, material and financial ambitions of families.