Cultural Practices and Children’s Rights in Bor, Jonglei State, South Sudan

ABSTRACT The study sought to examine the role of cultural practices in protection of the rights of children. The study objectives were; identify the cultural practices that interfere with the rights of the child; examine the children’s rights that would be respected, protected and fulfilled and assess the measures taken to address the protection of the rights of children. The study employed a descriptive survey design, using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. This study was carried out within Bor-Jonglei State, South Sudan. The sample included 150 respondents. An interview guide and self-administered questionnaire were used to identify sociodemographic characteristics and collect all data required for the study. Major findings revealed that there are social abuses as far as the rights of children are concerned. It was significantly revealed that it cultural practices affected children’s actions, group cohesion and ~1cited social psychological disturbances. The study concludes that forced and early marriage as of culturally-justified violence against girl-children or women was a violation of human righLs. The study recommends that there must be government support to journalists and other media professionals who may contribute to social mobilization by providing information of the highest quality, reliable and ethical standards concerning all aspects of child rights.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF ACRONNYMS OR ABREVIATIONS ix

LIST OF FIGURES

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.1.1 Historical perspective 1

1. 1.2 Conceptual perspective 4

1.1.3 Theoretical perspective 6

1.1.4 Contextual perspective 6

1.2Staternent of the Problem 7

1.3 Purpose of the Study 9

1.4 Objectives of the Study 9

1.5Research Questions

1.6Scope of the Study 9

1.6.1 Geographical Scope 9

1.6.2Theoretical Scope 10

1.6.3 Content scope 10

1.6.4 Time Scope 10

1.7 Significance of the Study 10

1.8 Operational definition of terms 12

CHAPTER TWO 13

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 13

2.0 Introduction 13

2.1 Theoretical review 13

2.2 Conceptual frame work 14

V

2.3 Cultural practices in Bor-Jonglei state’ 15

2.3.1 Early and forced marriage 15

2.3.2 Polygamy 16

2.3.3 Initiation 18

2.3.4 Corporal punishment (CP) 19

2.3.5 Son preference 20

2.4 Children’s Rights in Bor-Jonglei state’ 21

2.4.1 Good Life and care of health 21

2.4.2 Protection 22

2.4.3 Parents and identity 24

2.4.4 Education 25

2.4.5 Decision-making and expression of opinion 26

2.5 Effects of cultural practices on children’s right 27

2,6 Research gaps 29

CHAPTER THREE 30

METHODOLOGY 30

3.0 Introduction 30

3.1 Research Design 30

3.2 Study Area 30

3.4 Target /Accessible Population 31

3.5 Sample Size 32

3.6 Sample procedures 32

3.7.0 Data Collection Methods 33

3.8.1 Questionnaire

3.8.3 Validity and reliability of instruments 34

3.9. 0 Data Collection Procedure 34

3.9.1. Before the administration ofthe questionnaires 34

3.9.2. During the administration ofthe questionnaires 35

3.9.3. After the administration ofthe questionnaires 35

3.10 Data Management and analysis 35

3.11 Ethical Considerations 36

3.12 Limitation of the Study 36

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 38

4.. Introduction 38

4.1 Demoaraphic characteristics of respondents 38

4.2 Cultural practices in Bor-Jonglei state, South Sudan 40

4.3 Children’s rights in Bor-Jonglei State, South Sudan 45

4.4 The effects of cultural practices on promotion of rights of children 49

CHAPTER FIVE 51

DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 51

5.0 Introduction 51

5.1 Discussions 51

5.2 Conclusions 56

5.3 Recommendations 57

5.4Areas for further research 59

REFERENCES 60

APPENI)ICES 64

APPENDIX I 64

QUESTIONNAIRE 64

APPENDIX II 69

INTRODUCTION LETTER 69