Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine the causes and effects of moral decadence
among secondary school students. The continual occurrence of chaotic and sometime
criminal behaviour not only by the examined population but also the students of this
country in recent times has since began to give cause for concern, particularly to
parents, school administrators and the Government. The study deals with moral
decadence among secondary school students in Fodoa Community Day SHS. The
study adopted a qualitative research approach which aimed at finding the effect of
moral decadence on the academic performance and social life of secondary school
students. The phenomenological design was used for the study. Fodoa in the Kwahu-
West Municipality is the area of the study. Population of the study comprised the
students of Fodoa Community Day. The study examined the implication of moral
decadence on the academic performance of students in Senior High Schools in in the
Kwahu- West Municipality. Four research questions were formulated to form the
study. The population of the study was 300 students. A total sample size of seventeen
(17) students drawn through the purposive sampling technique was used in the study.
Semi- Structured interviews were used for data collection. The result of the study
showed that the causes of moral decadence are Poor parenting style, poverty and bad
peer influence among others. The implication of moral decadence to academic
performance among students of Senior High Schools are an exhibition of illicit sexual
behaviour affects the academic performance of students, parent’s negligence to their
parental role has a negative impact on their academic study, indulging in prostitution
affect the academic performance of students and environmental violence affects
students’ academic performance. The study revealed that there are many forms of
decadence among secondary school students. These forms include weed smoking,
illicit sex, disobedience to authority and truancy and absenteeism. The causes of the
decadence were revealed as having effect on their academic and social life, and
possible strategies for restoring the problem. Based on the above findings,
recommendations were made to restore good morals among the students. The study
recommends the need for the schools to periodically organize seminars and
workshops for students, vigorous counselling sessions should be held for the students
and parents should be empowered through awareness creation on the risks of
irresponsible parenting.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Social Studies,
Faculty of Social Sciences, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment
of the requirement for award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Social Studies Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba