Family Conflict and Social Capital Dynamics in Kenya Today

Abstract

Inevitably, every marriage will face conflict. There are many sources of conflict, but fundamentally the individuals' background, philosophies, perspectives, personalities and thought patterns determine how conflict is handled in marriage. If it is handled negatively, it ends up in abuse and hurt. However, conflict handled maturely strengthens the marriage and the individuals. Couples in marriage need to adjust and understand that the adjusting process may take years. If frustration builds up during the initial years of marriage, it makes ground for abusive conflict and separation. Western cultures have evidently influenced our thought processes today as the statistics have reflected a growing number of divorce cases relative to media influence and westernization. This study therefore confirmed factors that cause conflict in families and the outcome of the conflict. There are obvious concern what impact there is in social network and capital on both the man and woman and more so if there are children involved after a separation or divorce in a family. This research paper established how the man and woman relate to their former social network (extended family, friends, in religious setup), will the investment to the former relationship got to waste or will it be sustained. The objectives of this study was to establish factors that cause conflict in families, explore the outcome of conflict in families and analyse the impact on the divorced/separated individuals on their social network and social capital. Marriage expands the social capital of both parties. The financial status improves as the study has established attributed to combined income and or shared ideas on financial planning. The marriage introduces new family members to the husband and wife through in-laws. They also gain new friends as a result of their relationship. Marital separation on the other hand diminishes the social capital. The study confirmed that the affected parties loose the relationship they once enjoyed with their in-laws and the friends they gained during their relationship. The financial capital is also adversely affected as the individuals have to make adjustments that degrade an earlier solid financial status.