Browsing by Author "Almaw, Tiruwork"

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    Parenting Qualities of Adolescent and Adult Mothers in the Shiromeda Area of Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2005-06) Almaw, Tiruwork; Zewdie, Teka (PhD)
    The study was undertaken to explore the qualities of adolescent mothers ' parenting. That is, parenting and child rearing altitudes, child development knowledge and parental behaviors of adolescent mothers as compared with adult mothers. The study covers a selected total sample of 104 adolescent and adult mothers, 52 respondents from each group at Shiromeda area. The subjects considered in the study were stmcturally interviewed. The obtained data in the study were analyzed by using a t- test method. This method is used to compare the parenting qualities of adolescent mothers with that of adult mothers. Results of the final data analyses indicated that adolescent mothers have the ability to be empathically aware of their children's needs, give less value on physical punishment and encourage their children to express their opinions and feelings. The study further revealed inappropriate expectation of children and parent-child role reversal measures, where adolescent mothers scored significantly lower than adult mothers, indicating that adolescent mothers lack understanding of children's developmental capabilities and the belief in parent-child role reversal. The result indicated that ad.olescent mothers have less knowledge about child development than adult mothers. The analyses revealed a significant difference on parenting styles of interactions between adolescent and adult mothers and their children one to five years of age. Adolescent mothers scored higher in physical interaction than adult. That is, adolescent mothers illleracted more physically with their children; and vocalized less. In addition, adolescent mothers scored higher in prOVOcation, indicating adolescent mothers were occupied with inappropriate behaviors such as pinching, and poking. Finally, the finding suggests that adolescent parenting shouldn't be treated in isolation. Cooperation with sociologists, psychologists and religious leaders needs to be utilized to support these adolescent parents to combat inappropriate maternal behavior. Also a parenting education program will be successful to lower the current problems of adolescent parenting.