Applying Social Interaction In Parenting Skills toward Adolescents in Family

Abstract

Parents are leaders of the family and role models for their young. Currently, however, various
family problems and cases, associated with negative parental behaviour towards their young, occur, such as
murder, physical and sexual abuse as well as neglect in education, due to lack of knowledge and practice of
parenting skills in the family by some parents.This shows that today’s parents should be given guidance on
excellent parenting skills to educate their young.Hence, the purpose of this research is to study the
application of social interaction aspect in parenting skills toward their adolescentsin family. It is designed as
a survey using questionnaire instrument on 384 respondents, purposively selected among parents of
adolescents in Putrajaya. Data is analyzed applying descriptive statistical technique using SPSS version22.
Research results find that respondents apply social interaction aspectin parental skills toward adolescents by
ensuring their young keep good manners and show respect for elders (mean=3.66), explaining to them the
limits of social interaction between males and females (mean=3.63) and ensuring that their young
communicate in positive, courteous and decent language (mean=3.52). The implications of this research help
parents to strengthen their parenting skills and apply them in the process of educating adolescents in the
family. This research also contributes to authorities such as National Board of Population and Family
Development, Department of Social Welfare and Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia to more
effectively organize programs for development of parenting, family and adolescent.