Parents' Influence on Daughters Aspirations in Ngumo Estate Nairobi
Abstract
The study examined how children. boys and girls are brought up In
urban households and how this Is llkcly to Influence girls' aaptrattous In
future. The bast nssumpuon was that good or bod performance or WOIll n
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In their adult roles can be related to the ways In which lh y W''I"C hrought
up as children. If girls are brought up differently from boys and are
disadvantaged early in life. because of differential socialization that favours
boys. they will grow into disadvantaged adult women.
Data from the study were collected through the administration of a
questionnaire in a survey research and focus group discussions to and
with the parents and children. The focus was on the division of labour in
the households. educational opportunities that are given to daughters and
sons. as well as parents' aspirations for their children and child~en's own
aspirations for their future lives. Views on property ownership in
marriage and inheritance of property by children were also examined.
These data were analysed by quantitative and qualltatlve methods through
the use of percentages. frequency tables. descrlptlon and explanation.
According to the findings. attitudes on the division of labour seem
to be changing. although in reality. women and girls are still doing more
work In the households than men and boys, The study also found out that
girls and boys ore accorded equal opportuntucs In education and property
inheritance by their parents.
The study concluded that. amidst the yast and various changes that
are taking place. methods of soctaltstng- children are also changing.
Parents involved in this study value their daughters and sons equally. It
was observed that these new attitudes by parents give daughters the
" confidence required to face future challenges on an equal footing w
should be carried out in different communities and different social
classes. so as to establish the trend of changes more clearly. It also
rcconun ends that. gender chang ~s need to be approached more calmly by
gender activists than has been the case. taking into consideration that a
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whole generation cannot be changed overnight. Their activities should
reflect a deeper and clear understanding of the situation.
Citation
Post Graduate DiplomaPublisher
University of Nairobi, Institute of African Studies