A Study Of Family Disintegration And Deviant Behabiour
[ILORIN METROPOLIS]

CHAPTER THREE
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
At this juncture, it is important to note that this present effort is a research endeavour, and as such, after reviewing many important literatures relevant to the topic of study, it is thus more imperative for us to further the research by establishing various theoretical frameworks and intellectual assumptions that could be used to make a systematic linkage between the independent and dependent variables of the study. In addition, it is also Import to spell out the methodology used in conducting the research. In other words, this sub-section of the research is dedicated to two important areas of any research work as indicated above.
 According to Muhammed (2002) the role of theory in research cannot be over emphasized. According to Haralmabos and Holborn, (2005), a theory is a set of ideas explaining a phenomenon and he defined sociological theory as a set of ideas that explain social phenomenon. Osuala (1992) however have seen a theory to be an attempt at synthesizing and integrating empirical data for maximum clarification. In a similar view, Siegel and Senna (1988) saw theory as a statement that explains the relationship between social facts and concepts in a meaningful way.
In this research work however, some of our theoretical frameworks may not have a direct reflection on the subject but in the course of explanation, their relevancies to the topic will appear clearer. These theoretical assumptions will be deductively derived from the existing theories of sociology of deviance which over time has often been used one way or the other to explain the causal dynamics of deviance in human society. Hence, for the purpose of this research work, some of the theories to be considered are:
Social Control Theory
Social control theory was proposed by Travis Hirschi (1969). The theory posits that deviant and delinquency result from failure of individuals to bond with conventional social groups such as the family and schools (Miller, 2009). In other words, a person is less likely to choose crime if he/she has strong social bonds. Miller (2009:2) has that “social control says that to the extent that a youngster fails to become attached to the control agencies of society (for instance, the families and the schools), the youngster’s enhances of engaging in delinquency are increased” According to Rebellon (2002), social control theory is one of the most frequently cited theoretical frameworks regarding thecontrol of adolescents’ ant-social behaviour. According to him, deviance in its general perspective though a natural phenomenon, but the nature of human animal as a reasoning being has made him to initiate series of control measures so that human being will conform to the societal standards. The control mechanisms according to this theory are numerous, they involve not only the written rules and regulations, they also involve conventional rules and regulation even those made in the family units. However, a situation whereby the socialcontrol system is lacking or any of the agents of social control is not in good condition, then the highest possibility is breakdown of rules and engaging in deviant activities.
In relation to our present study therefore, the family is one of the strongest socializing forces in the life of adolescents as it teaches adolescents how to control unacceptablebehaviour, delay gratification, and respect the rights of others (Wright and Wright,1994). According to Junger-Tas, et.al (2003), there are two type of family social control. These are: indirect and direct social control. Indirect control is exercised by the quality of the relationship of an adolescent with his parents (Loeber and Stouthamer, 1986).
The stronger the bond, the more the norms will be internalized (Agnew, 1991, Hirschi, 1969, Mille et.al 1999); while direct control in the family is exercised by close monitoring and supervision (Miller, et.al., 1999). However, Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) modified social theory as self-control theory.