Influence of the Family System on Male Juvenile Delinquency: A Case of Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center Kiambu County - Kenya
Date
2021-07-06
Authors
Onsando, Evans
Journal Title
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Publisher
PAC University
Abstract
Youth are the greatest national asset that needs to be nurtured to enable them exploit their full potential. However, the rising cases of delinquent behavior among youth have brought the nurturing role of parents into sharp focus. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of two key features of the family system on male juvenile delinquency at the Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center (KYCTC) within Kiambu County, with a view to establishing appropriate interventions that will minimize delinquency. The key features of the family system of interest to the study were the parenting styles deployed by the parent and the family structure in which the child is nurtured. To achieve this goal, the study had four objectives namely; establishing parenting styles associated with juvenile delinquency at KYCTC, the relationship between family structure and juvenile delinquency, the impact of parenting style and family structure on juvenile delinquency and appropriate parental and familial intervention measures that can reduce juvenile delinquency. The study was guided by Baumrind’s parenting styles theory and Family Systems theory. The study used purposive sampling method and simple random technique to select a sample of 68 males aged between 15 and 18 from a target population of 120 delinquents at the KYCTC. The study used the ex post facto design. In this design data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions (FGD) and self-administered questionnaire. Quantitative data collected through questionnaires was analyzed through descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS version 25.0 and qualitative data collected through in-depth
interviews and focus group discussions was analyzed through thematic analysis. The finding of the study indicated that, authoritarian parenting style (42%) and permissive parenting style (29.4%) posed the greatest danger to the development of juvenile delinquency. On the other hand, authoritative parenting style (8.8%) posed the least danger to the development of juvenile delinquency. The family structure that was found to be ideal was the two parents’ family structure. Presentation of data was done through tables, graphs and thematic descriptions of respondent’s statements. The findings point to the critical role the family system plays in the development or prevention of juvenile delinquency. Family- centric interventions, strengthening of the parenting role, coordination with other key influencers including teachers, Government Departments such as the Children’s Department and the Kenya Prison Services, Rehabilitation Centers run by religious organizations and
government rehabilitation programs such as KYCTC, can make a difference if each plays
their critical role.
Description
PhD Dissertation
Keywords
Juvenile Deliquency, Male Juvenile Deliquency, Youth Correction Facilities, Kamiti Youth Correction and Trading Centre, Family Structure, Parenting Styles
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