Parental Influence on Pupils' Conflict Responses: A Case Study of Tangenhamo Secondary School in Mt. Darwin District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of parents on pupils' conflict responses at Tangenhamo secondary school basing on the Social interdependence theory and Lederach's Moral Imagination theory using the case study method. Parents directly intervene in pupils' conflict and can indirectly influence gender considerations, religion and the extended family interrelationship matrix. The peer influence of adolescence is extensively divorced from parents' factor. Although parents shape gender and religion considerations, individual pupils use them to shape future conflict responses independent to parents. Diversity in factors influencing conflict responses is becoming more pronounced due to media influence and the guidance and counselling offered in schools and the researchers recommend a more diverse conflict resolution partnership including parents in shaping conflict responses of pupils at school. The researchers believe that collaboration between parents and teachers can bring about peace oriented conflict responses in school.