Abstract
The general purpose of the study was to investigate parenting practices that could reduce juvenile delinquency among adolescents in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Specifically, the study determined: practices adopted by the parents of adolescents for reducing juvenile delinquency among their adolescents; challenges encountered by the parents in their adolescent parenting practices; and possible solutions to the challenges. It adopted a survey research design. Area of the study was Port Harcourt Metropolis. Population comprised parents in the area. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. Findings reveal 16 parenting practices adopted by parents including: using punishment in controlling behaviour (X̅ =3.45); rewarding positive behaviour (X̅ =3.18), among others. Also, identified are 15 challenges encountered by parents in adolescent parenting practices including: adolescents’ resistance to parental control (X̅ =3.40); influence of peer pressure on adolescents (X̅ =3.48), among others. Further findings are 14 solutions to challenges encountered in adolescent parenting practices including: ensuring open and honest communication with adolescents (X̅ =3.67); and parents modelling desired behaviours to adolescents (X̅ =3.59), and others. Based on the findings, four recommendations for enhancing parenting practices were made.