EFFECTS OF SINGLE PARENTING ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF TEENAGERS IN SELECTED HIGH SCHOOLS IN NGONG, KAJIADO COUNTY KENYA

Abstract

This study is a descriptive study which sought to investigate the effects of single parenting on the academic performance of teenagers in selected high schools in Ngong, Kajiado County, Kenya. The study further investigated whether single parent family structure affect teenagers and what factors affect these teenagers' academic performance. This study was prompted due to the fact that single parent families are on the rise and the fact that family structure has changed in today’s world. The purpose the purpose of this research was to find out whether single parent family structure affect teenagers and what factors affect these teenagers' academic performance. The general objective was to determine the factors affecting the academic performance of teenagers from single parents’ families in high schools. The study employed a mixed method design. Purposive sampling for students, snowball variation, was used while typical case variation was used for both teachers and parents. Data was collected using a questionnaire for students and interview schedules for teachers and parents. The data from these questionnaires was analysed statistically and findings presented in terms of discussion and frequency tables, with mean, standard deviation and percentages calculated. The data from the interviews were analysed to check for themes, which were later coded for presentation. The researcher concluded that single parenthood was not a direct major determinant of academic performance. There were other factors, which can be influenced by the family structure, and in turn influence academic performance. These factors include parental involvement, socioeconomic status and classroom environment. Gender was only a factor depending on how the individual student has received gender socialization. Recommendations were thus made to students, teachers, parents and other researchers based on these findings.