Journal of Library and Information Sciences

Influence of Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and the Uninvolved Parenting Styles on the Reading Attitudes of Students in Anambra State, Nigeria
Anthonia U. Echedom (Ph.D); Tochukwu Victor Nwankwo; Evangeline U. Nwankwo

Abstract
Purpose – This study sought to examine the influence of the authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and the uninvolved parenting styles on the reading attitudes of students. Design/Methodology/Approach – The study confined its scope to 4,987 Senior Secondary One (SS1) students of public secondary schools in Awka. 499 (10%) of the students were sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire designed by the researchers titled ―Parenting Style Influence on Students‘ Reading Attitude Questionnaire (PSISRAQ); which contains 53 items. The descriptive survey research design was used as research method, while the secondary school students were stratified based on their local governments; for a comprehensive analysis of the study. Findings – The findings of the study among others reveals that the students‘ attitude toward reading in secondary schools is positive and highly encouragingand that the authoritative parenting style, more than any other, aids in ensuring healthy reading development. Also, children of the authoritarian parents are always criticized by their parents whenever they fail to impress them in their reading life. They take their parents‘ words as the only consideration and final decision in matters concerning reading. Hence, it is agreed that the authoritarian parenting style has a low and discouraging influence on the students‘ attitude to reading. Furthermore, it is agreed that the permissive parenting style has a moderate and encouraging influence on the students reading attitudes only if the child is naturally good in reading, while the uninvolved parenting style has a low and discouraging influence on the students‘ attitude to reading. Originality/value – Research studies focusing on the influence of the authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and the uninvolved parenting styles on the reading attitudes of students in Nigeria, are rare. Furthermore, while parents, librarians, educational institutions and stake holders may not be aware that their various parenting styles which fall into authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved styles, have distinguished impacts in determining their children‘s attitude towards reading; it is imperative as this study reveals its indicting consequences.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jlis.v6n2a1