| dc.description.abstract | The study seeks to establish the influence of institutional care on socialization of teenagers in selected residential children's institutions in Nairobi-Kenya. The researcher's aim was to find out the influence of institutional care on socialization of teenagers in six selected residential children's institutions. The study was guided by the following objectives; To establish the extent to which services offered by the institutions influence socialization of teenagers in Nairobi province. To find out how the environment of the children's institution influence socialization of teenagers in Nairobi Province.
To determine how the teenagers background influence their socialization. To explore the extent to which the activities the teenagers engage in the children institutions influence their socialization. The study would also establish measures that can be taken to enhance teenage socialization. The study used survey design ,to collect data questionnaires were used and administered to teenagers and staff of these institutions. The research was purposively conducted in Nairobi with a population of 150 residential children
institutions. Purposively sampling was used whereby six residential children institutions were surveyed.
The study found out that service like education, guidance & counselling, vocational training and provision of basic needs was provided to these teenagers. It further found out that most institutions offered a family like atmosphere to these teenagers and they engaged in a variety of activities. These teenagers had also some free time of their own which they could freely utilize. The research found out that these teenagers came from many different backgrounds and at times would interact with other people from different counties. In view of the findings most respondents said that institutions were not the best place for socialization of teenagers since family setup would have greatest impact for socialization of teenagers since children need parental care and attention.
However these institutions become appropriate place for orphaned, destitute and abandoned children for they offer alternative care. The researcher recommends that a family atmosphere be maintained for those teenagers in institutions. To ensure socialization of teenagers, they should be allowed to express their individual abilities, interest and talent and given freedom to participate in activities. Participatory socialization should be enhanced in these institutions. Proper re-integration should be done by allowing those teenagers with parents or relatives to visit them. | en_US |
