Factors Affecting Child Rearing Practices: Implication for Counselling Practice

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Introduction In human existence, childhood stage is the first developmental phase which all other stages build on. Developmental psychologists’ define childhood stage as a period from birth to twelve years of existence. Childhood stage is divided into three (3) viz.: early, middle, and late childhood periods. The type of training or upbringing a child receives determines mostly the type of adult such a child become. Ezewu (1983) identified child rearing as the next most important function of the family after child bearing. It is one thing to bring a child to this world through sexual relationship between the opposite sexes; it is a different ballgame to rear such a child to maturity. Families, by nature, have been vested with the task of bringing up and caring for children whenever they (families) are blessed with them. Dressler & Carns (1973) equally recognized care, protection and early socialization of children as the second and general function of families. The purpose of this study is to examine the types of child rearing practices and factors affecting child rearing practice. The objectives of the study is to explore the influence of the types of child rearing practices on children, develop knowledge and understanding on the factors that influence child-rearing practices, utilize the generated knowledge in the provision of relevant information to counsellors, government, parent/care givers and disseminate widely via presentations and publications the findings of the study. The Concept of Child and Child rearing Child, according to Advanced Oxford Learner’s Dictionary (2000), is defined as a young human being who is not yet an adult. Encarta (2009) defines child as “a son or daughter of human parents” or “A young human being between birth and puberty” or “somebody under a legally specified age who is considered not to be legally responsible for his or
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