Peer-reviewed article
Influence of Child Participation in Family Decision Making on Juvenile Delinquency: Evidence from Nairobi South Ward, Kenya
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Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined whether children's involvement in family decision-making reduces juvenile delinquency in Nairobi, Kenya. Researchers surveyed 395 children, parents, and key informants using questionnaires and interviews. The study found that when children participated in family decisions, they were significantly less likely to engage in delinquent behavior. The findings suggest that inclusive parenting and child empowerment are important strategies to prevent youth crime.
Key points
- Child participation in family decision-making had a statistically significant negative relationship with juvenile delinquency (β = -0.749, p < 0.01)
- Child empowerment showed a marginally significant effect on reducing delinquent behavior (β = -0.424, p = 0.06)
- Family structure and social life activities were not significant quantitative predictors of delinquency
- Qualitative data suggested indirect influences through social bonding and peer exposure
- The study recommends policy reforms and family-level interventions to enhance child inclusion
Limitations
The study was correlational and cannot establish causation; it was conducted in one urban ward in Kenya, so findings may not generalize to other settings or rural areas.
Abstract
Child inclusion in family decision-making has gained growing attention due to its potential role in reducing juvenile delinquency.This study examined the influence of child participation on delinquent behavior in families within Nairobi South Ward, Kenya.Guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Social Control Theory, the study adopted a correlational research design with a mixed-methods approach.A sample of 395 children, parents, and key informants was selected using Yamane's formula.Data were collected through questionnaires and structured interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression, and thematic analysis.Findings revealed that child participation in family decision-making had a statistically significant negative relationship with juvenile delinquency (β = -0.749,p < 0.01), demonstrating that inclusive parenting practices reduce delinquent tendencies.Child empowerment also showed a marginally significant effect (β = -0.424,p = 0.06), highlighting its complementary role in fostering positive behavior.Family structure and social life activities were not significant predictors quantitatively, though qualitative insights suggested indirect influences through social bonding and peer exposure.The study concludes that fostering participatory parenting and empowering children are critical in preventing juvenile delinquency.It recommends policy reforms, family-level interventions, and community programs that enhance child inclusion and supportive social environments.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Increasing child participation in family decision-making and child empowerment
- Population
- Children, parents, and key informants in Nairobi South Ward, Kenya (sample of 395)
Key finding
Child participation in family decision-making had a significant negative relationship with juvenile delinquency (β = -0.749, p < 0.01)
OpenAlex · 1 Jan 2025