Application of Counselling Services in Advocating Positive Parenting for Good Mental Health Development to Promote National Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper, observed the insecurity challenges that is escalating and intimidating human life as well as affecting national economy and development in all ramifications. Counselling services through it advocacy of positive parenting has been established to be a tool of curbing the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. The paper explicitly explained the concept of parenting in developing good mental health among individuals, to enhance adequate behaviour development such as; tranquility, unity, respect and harmony. This constituted national security and development. The purpose of this paper is to foster counselling services to advocate good parenting for adequate behaviour change among people to alleviate insecurity challenges in Nigeria. The paper further discussed the principles of parenting, dual dimensional effects of poor parenting on a child’s development and relationship with larger society. Recommendations were made that; counsellors should as a matter of fact advocate for positive parenting at all levels of development. It should be adequately organized and presented by professional counsellors to the parents, teachers and community leaders. It was concluded that, the basis for insecurity challenges were as a result of nonchalant attitude in providing positive parenting at the stages of child development. With the positive parenting the society will breed dynamic and egalitarian citizens who can be patriotic and
contribute to the national economic development to build a peaceful nation.