Global Journal of Social Sciences Studies

The influence of dark triad-specific personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) on parenting styles, and parental competence in raising and educating children

Elena Petrica — 2024-10-03

This study aims to determine the existence of an association between the Dark Triad personality traits, parental competence, and parental styles. The parentsʼ personality traits, particularly those of the Dark Triad, may serve as predictors of the child's level of development, educational path choices, academic outcomes, well-being, and overall development. It is of utmost importance to identify these traits to better understand the parents’ behaviour and the potential harm the parent's strategies may inflict on the child. The Dark Triad-specific personality traits can lead to authoritarian, selfish, lacking empathy, and even manipulative behaviors that can significantly and negatively impact a child's life. The research sample includes 609 respondents who fulfil the role of parent. The results revealed that parents' Machiavellian personality traits may be associated with an authoritarian or permissive parenting style, but not with a democratic parenting style. Also, the level of parental competence varies depending on the background of the parents and may be influenced by their psychopathic personality traits.

Empowering self-reliance: Assessing the impact of lifting ban for pregnant girls to return to school in Tanzania

Noel Julius Ntawigaya — 2024-10-03

The main objective of this study was to examine how the Tanzanian government’s program allowing girls who became pregnant while in school to return after giving birth relates to efforts in promoting self-reliance among these girls. Using a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional design, the study found that 87.5% of teenage mother students and 62.5% of teachers had positive perceptions of the program. Factors influencing teenage pregnancies included poverty (37.5%), peer pressure (10%), bad friends (10%), and rape (12.5%). Additionally, 32.5% of the pregnancies were attributed to businessmen, 27.5% to bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) drivers, 25% to street men, and 15% to fellow students. The study also revealed challenges for teenage mothers, such as difficulty balancing studying and childcare (62.5%) and stigmatization from students, teachers, family, and community members (57.5%). Teachers reported issues like low concentration in class (62.5%), late arrivals (75%), lack of respect (62.5%), and absenteeism (68.5%). Furthermore, 65% of teenage mother students reported no support from the fathers of their children, highlighting a lack of support from these individuals. It is recommended that all stakeholders provide both psychological and material support to help these teenage mothers become self-reliant. The government, in collaboration with the community, should also ensure that all perpetrators of pregnancies are held accountable for supporting these teenage mothers.

Assessing the role of social media in shaping career aspirations among lecturers in Nigeria: A quantitative analysis

Kikelomo Oluwayemisi Adedotun — 2024-11-28

The study deployed a self-administered questionnaire via Google forms to generate data from a sample of 237 lecturers working in various tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The questionnaire was used to collect data on the use of social media by lecturers, their perceptions regarding the influence of such use on their career goals, and demographic data and other characteristics. First, descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data, supported by measures of central tendency. These analyses were done using the SPSS software. From the survey result, all the responded lecturers had ticked the "high extent" option, which means that social media affects their career aspirations to a great extent. Correspondingly, based on the response, it can be stated that all the respondents believe that social media platforms can be used for the purpose of career development as well as increasing recognition related to their professional outcomes. In addition, related to the responsibility of staying updated with the latest trends and best practices of the relevant business sectors as well as participating in online communities and discussions associated with their teaching disciplines in order to learn from others in the same field, responses were found to be highly unanimous. Correspondingly, based on the research questionnaire regarding the challenges faced by the Lecturers in Nigeria while using social media for career development purposes, there have been a number of common challenges that have come into view.