Influence Of Polygamy On Behaviour Patterns Of In-school Adolescent As Expressed By Secondary School Teachers
[A CASE STUDY OF ILORIN METROPOLIS]

CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Preamble
    This study investigated the influence of polygamy on the behaviour pattern of in-school adolescents in Ilorin. The study also examined whether or not the variables of gender, religion, marital status and educational qualification have influence on the perception of teachers as regards the influence of polygamy on behaviour patterns of in-school Adolescent. A total of 100 respondents participated in the study and four null hypotheses were postulated and tested at .05 alpha level. The discussions, conclusions, recommendations and the implications of the findings are contained in this chapter.
Discussions
    The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of polygamy and the behaviour patterns of in-school adolescents as expressed by secondary school teachers in Ilorin metropolis. The results of the study indicated that the proportion of male who responded to the questionnaire was 52%, while female respondents made up 48%.
 The proportion of Christian’s respondents was 34%, the proportion of Muslims was 66%. The proportion of married respondents was 71 %, the proportion of singles was 29%. Lastly the proportion of B.Ed holders was 26%, B.Sc was 29%, HND was 14% while the proportion of NCE holders was 39%. Analysis of the fifteen items on the questionnaire revealed the influence of polygamy on behaviour pattern as it is contained in sections B of the instrument, out of all the items in section the B Item 6 which states that “enhanced competitiveness”, ranked first with a mean score of 3.30. This conforms with the view of (Elbedour, Bart, & Hektner, 2003) that Children of polygamous marriages exhibit higher levels of envy, conflict, emotional stress, tension, insecurity and anxiety than children of monogamous marriages. They have a more negative self-concept, perhaps because of increased competition among mixed siblings for an important place in the family. Item 1 which states that “fast driving ambition” ranked second with a mean score of 3.18. Item 3 which state that “time consciousness” also ranked second with a mean score of 3.18. This in line with the views of Al-Krenawi etals (1997) and Elbedour, Onwuegbuzie & Alatamin   (2003) that adolescents usually do not feel themselves to be stigmatised and do not perceive their family structure to be disadvantaged. They tend to be more resourceful and better equipped to adjust to any adverse circumstances.
The first hypothesis stated that there is no significant difference in the influence of polygamy on the behaviour patterns of in-school adolescents as expressed by secondary school teachers on the basis of gender. The hypothesis was accepted, thus both male and female respondents view child rearing practice in the polygamous family in the same way.
The second hypothesis stated that there is no significant difference in the influence of polygamy on the behaviour patterns of in-school adolescents as expressed by secondary school teachers on the basis of religion. The hypothesis was accepted; this means that Christian and Muslim respondents are similar in their perception of the influence of polygamy on the behaviour pattern of in school adolescent.
The third hypothesis stated that there is no significant difference in the influence of polygamy on the behaviour patterns of in-school adolescents as expressed by secondary school teachers on the basis of marital status. The hypothesis was accepted; this means that single and married respondents are similar in their perception of the influence of polygamy on the behaviour pattern of in school adolescent.
The fourth hypothesis stated that there is no significant difference in the influence of polygamy on the behaviour patterns of in-school adolescents as expressed by secondary school teachers on the basis of educational qualification. The hypothesis was accepted; this means that respondents from different educational background are similar in their perception of the influence of polygamy on the behaviour pattern of in school adolescent.