Behavioral Indices Exhibited by Children of Working - Class Parents in Selected Students of Lafia Local Government, Nasarawa State

The study investigated the behavioral indices exhibited by children, impact of this behaviors on the children and possible ways to handle these behavioral indices among some selected government secondary school in Nasarawa State. The study adopted a survey research design. The population for the study was 853 students from three (3) selected secondary school and 40 working class -parents. Simple and purposive random sampling technique was adopted to select 61 students and 40 parents for the study. A self-designed questionnaire titled ‘Behavioral Indices Exhibited by Children of Working -Class Parents: A Case Study of Selected Students in Lafia Local Government Nasarawa State (BIECWCP) was used. The research questions were answered using simple frequency, mean and standard deviation. The instrument was validated, and the reliability coefficient was calculated to be 0.83 using Cronbach Alpha Coefficients. Findings of the study shows truancy (  3.22), being reserved (3.04), bullying (2.88), drugs/crime (2.78) among others are behavioral indices exhibited by children. Again, poor academic performance (3.27), abstinence from school (3.31), aggressive behavior (3.17), lack of love (3.04), being secretive (3.58), relying on peers (3.29), arrogant at home (3.36) are effect of these behavioral on children. Findings further revealed balancing work and family (3.68), showing love and bond at home (3.65), counselling children (3.65), monitoring school activities (3.71) are possible ways to handle the behavioral indices. Conclusively, the findings highlight truancy, emotional trauma, bullying of siblings, indulging in drugs/crimes, insulting and usage of vulgar languages, stealing, loneliness. Laziness at home and early engagement to sexual activities as forms of behavior exhibited. It was recommended among others that schools should constantly organize lectures to sensitize children on the effect of behavioral indices. parents should be observant when they are back from work to see if there are any behavioral changes in their children