Determining Parenting Styles of Kenyan Parents: Case of Nairobi County

This study aimed at gaining insight on the prevalent parenting styles of Kenyan Parents. The study was carried out in Nairobi County, where participants were randomly sampled from three constituencies, namely: Kasarani, Westlands, and Langata; which were also randomly selected from among the eight constituencies that make up Nairobi County. Care was exercised to ensure that participants represented different socioeconomic statuses such as high, middle, and low classes. This was necessary as it would authenticate generalization to the larger Kenyan population. The study specifically examined the parenting styles most commonly utilized by Kenyan parents from amongst the three most popularly studied parenting styles, namely: Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive Parenting Styles. Data were collected quantitatively using a self-­ administered questionnaire. Quantitative analysis of data was done utilizing the Statistical Package for social Sciences (SPSS). The chi-square (X2 test of independence was used to establish variations in the frequency of use of different parenting styles based on interviewee's socio-demographic factors. Research findings revealed that Kenyan parents had a positive attitude toward parenting and rated themselves highly as parents. Despite this they faced a number of challenges in executing that responsibility, with balancing work and parenting and cost of living topping the list. The study also showed that, although parents utilized all the three parenting styles of authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive that were the focus of the study, the most frequently utilized parenting style was the Authoritative style, followed by Authoritarian Parenting Style; with Permissive Parenting Style being the most rarely utilized. Concerning variations in the frequency of use of the various parenting styles by parents' socio-demographic characteristics, the study showed that the frequency of use of Authoritative Parenting style was significantly associated with gender, age, exposure to parenting classes, level of income, and social class; whereas the use of Authoritarian and Permissive Parenting styles were significantly associated with exposure to parenting classes, level of income, and social class.Based on the study's findings it was concluded that parents in Nairobi, Kenya, have a positive attitude towards parenting and take the role seriously. However, they face a number of challenges especially balancing work and parenting and the escalating cost of living, both of which undermine their capacity to perform this function effectively. In addition, parents in Nairobi, Kenya, rely on all three parenting styles studied, but the authoritative parenting style is the most frequently used.