Influence of Parenting Style on Delinquent Behaviour Among Borstal Institutions Inmates, Kenya
Abstract
In an effort to lessen juvenile delinquency, more attention is now being placed on how
parents may nurture their children to become more contributing members of society when
they are adults. This study aimed to determine the impact of parenting styles on delinquent
behaviour among Borstal Institution inmates in Kenya. The objectives of the study included
establishing how parenting style influences crime, drug and substance abuse, and school
dropout among Borstal institution inmates in Kenya. This research used a mixed
methodology comprising qualitative and quantitative approaches. The researcher relied on
random sampling to select a sample of 110 Borstal Inmates, where 97 were male and 13
Female. Out of 110 participants, 89 answered questionnaires, while 21 participated in
Focused Group Discussions in three different groups of seven each. Purposive sampling was
used to select 19 Prisons Staff and six welfare officers totalling 135 participants. The data
collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software
version 24. The results were presented in the form of frequencies and percentages using bar
graphs, tables, crosstabs, and pie charts and the relationship between variables were tested
using Chi-squire test. The study found no correlation between any parenting approach and
criminal activity, no correlation between authoritative/permissive parenting approaches and
drug abuse, and no correlation between authoritarian/permissive/authoritative parenting
approaches and school dropout, but there was an association between authoritarian/neglectful
parenting approaches and drug use and an association between neglectful parenting
approaches and school dropout. The research concluded that regardless of parenting style
present, delinquency was still found among Borstal inmates because other intervening factors
strongly influenced delinquency among youngsters. The study recommends parental
involvement and incorporation in children's therapeutic programs at Borstal Institutions and
sensitization of family and community to encourage reconciliation and smooth re-integration
of Borstal inmates into the community after their release.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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