School scout activities and their media role in promoting family belonging among middle school students in Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of school scouting activities and their media role in fostering a sense of family belonging among middle school students in Iraq. The researcher employed the descriptive survey method, which was deemed suitable for the nature of the study. The participants included 125 students who actively engaged in scout activities and 125 students who did not participate in such activities. The researcher utilized the family affiliation scale as a data collection instrument to assess family belonging. The findings revealed significant positive effects of school scout activities and their media role in enhancing family belonging among middle school students. Based on these findings, several recommendations were made. Firstly, it is suggested to integrate scout activities as a standalone subject in all educational stages in Iraq. Additionally, allocating extra points or recognition to students who engage in scout activities compared to their non-practicing peers could incentivize their participation and acknowledge their efforts. Promoting student involvement in school scout teams and raising awareness within the school community about the importance of scout activities through media channels is also advised. Lastly, the government is encouraged to distinguish and acknowledge students who actively participate in scout activities by publicizing their achievements through various media platforms, differentiating them from their peers who are not involved in such activities.Overall, this research sheds light on the positive impact of school scout activities and highlights the importance of utilizing media platforms to promote family belonging among middle school students in Iraq.