Nderitu, Bernice Nyokabi(Daystar University, School of Arts and Humanities., June 1, 2013)
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Abstract:
This study provides theoretical background and empirical evidence that parenting is a predictor of a child’s emotional expression, self-regulation and interpersonal relationships. The primary goal of the study was to find out the role parents play in the social and emotional development of children in middle childhood period in Kahawa Sukari Estate, Kiambu County. The main objective was to find out how parenting influences children’s social and emotional competencies. Three theories form the theoretical framework: attachment theory, psychosocial theory, and ecological systems theory. The research was conducted using a mixed research design employing both qualitative and quantitative methods; focus group discussions, structured questionnaires, and interviews were used to collect data. The study sample size was 111 respondents comprising of 50 parent respondents, 53 child respondents, and 8 key informants. Study findings have established that parents are not physically available given that 68% work in the evenings and neither are they emotionally available due to stressors of work (36%) and poor health (36%). Parent education and support is therefore recommended to facilitate positive parental behaviors and enhance children’s social emotional development. The study results will be beneficial to parents, organizations dealing with children, schools, and policy makers.
