CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The television is believed to be uniquely effective due to the advantage of the “audio-visual” capacity it has over other types of mass media channels. According to Onwuegbu (2001), television is an electrical and audio-visual gadget that allows users to watch recorded and live broadcast programs.While watching of television provides an avenue for shared information, some of its contents such as movies have shaped the socialization process of adolescents. The word “Adolescence” comes from the Latin word adolescere meaning “to grow into maturity”. It ranges between childhood and adulthood, it covers the period from age 12 till the early 20. According to Unachukwu and Ebenebe (2007) stated that the common denominator in all adolescent experiences irrespective of cultural variations is the biological changes from childhood into mature adults’ status capable of reproduction. It is also a time of enormous physiological changes; adolescence is also marked by changes in behaviour and expectations. It is regarded as a prelude to and preparation for adulthood, a transitional period of life between immaturity and maturity as well as having to deal with the question “who am I”. The adolescent must also deal with the question “who will I be” (Gross and Mc Illveen, 1998). This is ongoing in Nigeria today; there have been significant changes in the lives of most adolescents in Nigeria. Some of these changes are as a result of the friends, peer group, and media especially cable television (DSTV).

Cable television (DSTV) plays a role in the development of a child from the period of adolescent to adult; the noticeable effect of cable television (DSTV) can be reflected in the academic performance, the level of socialization and creativity among adolescents in Nigeria (Maduewesi, E. J. (2005). The combination of sound and vision has made television exert tremendous influence in shaping the lives of students in secondary schools. It is informing, educating, entertaining and persuasive. As a result of this, it is a powerful force in determining the socio-emotional and academic adjustments of students. Despite the importance of television, its harmful effects cannot be overemphasized as it shapes the students’ socio-economic and academic aspects of life. Students watch violent movies/films on television screen without considering if its advantages out weight the harmful effects on their lives and the society at large (Bushman & Cantor, 2003). Anaekwe, (2002) argues that poor academic performance experienced among students can be attributable to over indulgence by students who spend long hours watching violence programmes on television, which at the end tilt them negatively in terms of emotional disposition.  The most pronounced effect is seen on the level of academic performance and socialization among adolescent in Nigeria. The spread of DSTV television channel and other television channels have exposed children to foreign programs. This has made the world a global village where what is watched on television in the developed countries is equally watched in developing countries hence the proliferation of negative effects like poor pre-school performance, aggressive behavior, and English, Mother tongue languages impediment among others (Zevenbergen, 2007). The parents or guidance can help curb the negative effect of cable television (DSTV) on adolescents in Nigeria by exposing them to right and wrong at the early stage of development; this by default will shape the mindset of children from the early stage of development to adult stage. The study in this regard wishes to examine the influence of cable television (DSTV) on adolescent creativity, academic performance and socialization.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The immense effect of television on people's lives since its birth has become not just undeniable.  The impact of television on people's life originates from more than just its three responsibilities as a medium of information, education, and entertainment. Many  scholars  have also found refuge in television and its programs as a form of relaxation, recreation, disengagement, goal setting, and sociability (Ugwunna 2012, Hycient 2015). Although the cable television (DSTV) is considered the most entertaining among other forms of media; however, inasmuch as it provides an avenue for relaxation, it has some drawbacks; some of these drawbacks can be seen in the level of adolescent creativity, academic performance, and socialization among adolescent in Nigeria.

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