Influence Of Parenting Styles On Motivation Towards Academic Performance Among Class 5 - 8 Maasai Pupils In J.leperes Academy, Kajiado County

Abstract

Globally, there is an emphasis to educate the young people to better their lives. Studies have shown the importance of educating young people. Parents have a significant role in a child’s educational welfare, that is, the parenting style adopted by the parents affect a child’s academic performance. In the Maasai community, there is high illiteracy level and a high number of dropouts from school. This has led to continued practice of health impairing traditions like FGM and early marriages. This study aimed to look at the influence parents have on their children’s motivation towards academics using three attributes of motivation which include self-efficacy, goal orientations and locus of control. The objectives of the study included, examining the association between parenting styles, self-efficacy and academic performance among primary school pupils. To determine the influence of parenting styles on a child’s goal orientation in academic performance among primary school pupils. To establish the relationship between parenting styles and locus of control with respect to academic performance among primary school pupils. The target population consisted of 151 class 5-8 Maasai pupils, with a sample size of 109 pupils’ selected using stratified random sampling and 20 parents selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected both quantitatively and qualitatively using questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. Collected data was coded into the SPSS software ver. 20 for analysis and presented through means, percentages, standard deviations and frequencies. A chi square analysis was used to assess whether there is a significant difference between the independent and dependent variables. The study revealed a strong association between parenting styles, motivational attributes and academic performance; to be specific authoritative parenting style affects positively child’s performance. The study recommends sensitization of parenting styles to parents to promoting parenting style that will boast their children academic performance