Assessment of the Contribution of Various Family Structures on Juvenile Delinquency in Embu County, Kenya (original) (raw)
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African Journal of Education,Science and Technology, 2021
The rising cases of delinquent behavior among male teenagers is a feedback of sorts that the family structure, which is the nurturing context of children has failed to effectively insulate the teenagers against negative influences. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of the family structure on male juvenile delinquency at the Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center (KYCTC), in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by Family Systems Theory (FST), which views the family as the primary context where the members of the structure relate with each other precipitating the development of individual character traits and patterns of behavior. Therefore, FST practitioners attribute outcomes of an individual to manifestations of sequences of family interaction. The study used purposive sampling method and simple random technique to select a sample of 68 males aged between 15 and 18 years from a target population of 120 delinquents at the KYCTC. Purposive sampling was used to juveniles between 15 and 18 years while random sampling technique was used to select the main sample of 68 out of the population of 120.The study used the ex post facto research design. In this study data was collected through interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and self-administered questionnaire. Quantitative data collected through questionnaires was analyzed using 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 study established that majority, 23(33.6%) of the juveniles came from families where parents were absent, 21(30.9%) came from single parents and 16(23.5%) were from grandparent led families. Two-parent families were the least represented among the juvenile delinquents with 8(11.8%) respondents. The findings of the study indicate that a twoparent family structure presents the least risk of breeding juvenile delinquency while, the greatest risk was presented by the absent family structure. These findings point to the critical role the family structure plays in the development and(or) prevention of juvenile delinquency. Based on the findings of this study, the paper recommends that family-centric intervention measures be put in place, considering factors such as: sensitization on the critical role the family structure plays in combating juvenile delinquency, strengthening of the parenting role; encouragement of co-parenting in case of separation; coordination of key stakeholders including the children's department, correction institutions and religious organizations.
African Research Review, 2010
The incidences of juvenile delinquency have increased in recent years in Kenya. Most of the studies done on Juvenile delinquency have paid little or no attention to family functions as one of the possible causes. This study was carried out in Nakuru town Municipality on former street children on rehabilitation in three homes. The sample was 148 and included all the 30 girls in the three homes and 118 boys selected using the stratified random sampling technique from a population of 241. Three managers of the three homes and six purposively selected parents were included. Two interview schedules and a questionnaire were used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's moment correlation and t-test. Juvenile delinquency was found to be significantly related to marital stability, family size, marital adjustment and
Family Related Factors Contributing To Juvenile Delinquency in Starehe Sub-County
Juvenile delinquency is an antisocial behavior by a child below the age of 18 years who violates laws by involvement in criminal activities. Worldwide a lot of juveniles have been found to engage in delinquency leading them to behavior maladjustment. This study focused on family related factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in public primary schools in Starehe Sub-county, Nairobi County. Three theories; the Ecological System Theory, Social Learning Theory and General Strain Theory were adopted. The design of the study was descriptive. A sample size of four hundred respondents that included three hundred and fifty juveniles and fifty teachers and administrators was obtained by using purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. Pilot study was administered to ascertain the validity and reliability of the instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and percentages and presented by use of frequency tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically in accordance with the objectives and presented in verbatim. The study findings revealed that parents' demographic attributes such as unemployment, low education level and unstable marriages had great influence on juvenile delinquency. It was also established that low attachment to significant others, parental absence, lack of role models, lack of basic needs and neighborhood factors such as peer pressure contribute to juvenile delinquency. Recommended intervention were guidance and counseling, family counseling, peer counseling and recreation park activities., leisure activities spheres, material and financial support to the needy parents, provision of social and emotional support to juveniles and economic empowerment for parents.
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP), 2019
This paper is an assessment of the socioeconomic background and role of family in rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents in Kenya. The study was guided by coercion and social learning theory. A sample 120 respondents consisting of 99 juvenile delinquents and 21 parents of the ex-rehabilitees was selected. The study found out that the size of families of the juvenile delinquents consisted of an average number of four siblings. The relationship between the juvenile delinquents and their families before arrest were very bad but significantly improved after the juveniles went through the rehabilitation process. Cases of violence in the family were high and they went unreported. Family involvement in the rehabilitation programmes was very minimal, family therapies/ counseling were never practiced in any of the institutions. The study recommend for economic support and empowerment of needy families, inclusion of family therapies/ counseling in the rehabilitation programmes, family conferences and involvement of families in the rehabilitation programmes.
Hassana Yahaya Bello , 2023
The study investigated the effects of family structure on delinquent behaviours and its health consequences among secondary school adolescents in Kumo metropolis, Gombe State. Juvenile delinquency is becoming a problem bedeviling many societies of the world. The objectives of the study is to examine the effects of family structure on juvenile delinquency, identify the causes of juvenile behaviours among adolescents, identify the health consequences of these behaviours and proffer possible solutions. Using cluster and simple random sampling techniques, a sample of three hundred and two (302) adolescents respondents was drawn from four private and public secondary schools (Government day secondary School Akkoyel, Government day Secondary School Pilot, The Classic Academy, and HajiyaNai'la Science Secondary School) in Kumo metropolis. The findings revealed that; the extended family is the major family type practiced in Kumo Metropolis and it was the leading avenue to juvenile delinquency. Poverty was found to be the possible cause of juvenile offending in Kumo metropolis and the most committed delinquent acts were violent crimes. This study recommended that Governmental, non-governmental organizations, and elites should establish job opportunities and small-scale industries to help alleviate poverty, law should be enforced, and parents should monitor and try to meet the demands of their children such as food, clothing, shelter, and education.
Family Factors Influencing Juvenile Delinquency In Malindi Township, Kilifi County
The number of delinquent cases in Malindi Township has been on the increase over the years. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the effect of family structure, establish the influence of family relationships, and assess the influence of family communication on juvenile delinquency in Malindi Township, Kilifi County. For this study, three theories about child delinquency were reviewed which were family structure theory, family systems theory, social control theory, and social learning theory respectively. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The participants of this study were 210 juveniles and parents/guardians placed at the Malindi Township remand home. The selection of respondents was 120 juveniles and 90 parents/ guardians at the Malindi Township remand home. The individuals were selected at random and by chance. Questionnaires containing both structured and unstructured questions were given to the study respondents. The questionnaire contained both close-ended and open-ended questions. Data from this study were analyzed using both quantitative and methods of analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) were used in the analysis of quantitative data through the aid of the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS)Version 22. The results of the study showed that there is a connection between the process of family socialization and committing of various juvenile crimes. Family relationships tend to affect the committing of crimes by children, teenagers, and adolescents. Family conflicts increase the threat for not only domestic violence, but also violence against others. familial conflicts also increase vulnerability to crime and violence. Since lack of frankness and confidence between juvenile and parent result in delinquency, this study recommends that parents /guardians show affection and concern to their juveniles and be open and frank with them. The study further found that parent disagreements, fights, and separation influence child delinquency. This study, therefore, recommends that parents/guardians solve their issues privately.
Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2020
The research was not funded by any organization or institution. Abstract Background: Juvenile delinquency is a serious problem in Kenya. There is a great concern with the growing numbers of children who are in the rehabilitation centres in Kenya. Previous studies in this field has mostly dwelt on the rehabilitation process of the juvenile delinquent children, and not much on the cause. This study sought to find out if family functions may contribute or lead to juvenile delinquency among children in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties.Objective: To identify the prevalent family functions among juvenile delinquent children in rehabilitation centres in Nairobi and Kiambu counties. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used, involving purposive sampling technique. Face to face interview was used to collect data from a total number of 113 participants, 60 from Getathuru rehabilitation centre and 53 from Kirigiti rehabilitation centre. A socio demographic data questionnaire, Family Assessment Device and Brief Family Relationship Scale was used. The study was done for a period of 12 weeks.Results: The study established that among the respondents, the majority (95.6%) were from families which were unstable compared to mere 4.4% who were from families that were functional.Conclusion: The family is a system in which each member has a significant influence on all other members. Hence, family functions may determine if a child will be delinquent or not. A family that is dysfunctional is more likely to lead to juvenile delinquency than a family that is functional. New strategies in the rehabilitation process focusing on the family and its functions is important instead of dealing with the child as the only source of the problem. Involvement of professional counsellors and therapist to facilitate the rehabilitation of the children instead of using criminal justice personnel is highly recommended in order to deal with the root cause of juvenile delinquency.
2021
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejsocial.2021.1.3.44 Vol 1 | Issue 3 | June 2021 21 Abstract — The rising cases of delinquency among male teenagers is a feedback of sorts that the family system that is the nurturing context of children has failed to effectively protect the teenagers against negative influences. The scenario, has brought the nurturing role of parents into sharp focus. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of the parenting styles on male juvenile delinquency at the Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center (KYCTC), which is within Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by Baumrind’s parenting styles theory which categorizes parenting styles on the basis of responsiveness and demandingness in the parenting role. The study used purposive sampling method and simple random technique to select a sample of 68 males aged between 15 and 18 years from a target population of 120 delinquents at the KYCTC. The study used the ex post facto design. In this ...
Effects of Family Structure on Juvenile Delinquency in Rivers State: A Theoretical Review
CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HISTORY, 2022
Juvenile delinquency is considered one of the threats that destroy life and property in our society today. Due to the nature of the crimes committed by juveniles, parents, management, sponsors and supporters are concerned about the future of teenagers in Nigeria. Juvenile crimes include: rape, theft, kleptomania, burglary, disobedience, murder, absenteeism, vandalism, robbery, etc. Thus, this study aims to explore the effects of family structure on juvenile delinquency in Rivers State. The objective of this study aims at finding out the influence of single-parent families and two-parent families on juvenile, and the ways the society can adopt to mitigate the challenges of juvenile delinquency in Rivers State. The study adopted the Broken Home Theory which was developed by Wilkinson Kelly (1969). And the method of data collection was secondary while the content analysis was used for analysis. The study established that there is strong link between family structure and juvenile delinquency; and children in single-parent of broken homes commit more crime than children from homes that are conflict free in Rivers State. The study also revealed that some factors that lead to single-parent are beyond the control of parents, therefore, there is the need for the communities, schools, churches and communities to get involve in cushioning the challenge of juvenile delinquency in the society. This assistance could be in the form of providing employment opportunities for the parents, adequate education and counseling services for members of the society.