Influence Of Parents’ Socio-Economic Status On Child Neglect In Lower Primary Schools In Mekenene Zone Nyamira County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Parent child neglect is a global issue which is a threat to holistic development of children. Neglected children perform poorly in school. Research has shown that parent child neglect starts at home during the early years. The study was to establish the prevalent forms of parent child neglect among lower primary school pupils’ in Mekenene Zone of Borabu Sub-county and factors influencing it. This study was guided by Baumrind’s theory of parenting styles. The dependent variable was parent child neglect in lower primary schools, while the independent variables were parents’ socioeconomic status. The study locale was Mekenene Zone in Nyamira County. The population was lower primary school pupils and their parents in twenty three schools in the zone. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. The researcher carried out a pilot study in two schools in the zone, one public and the other private. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that is frequencies and percentages and results were presented using tables, figures and text. Results revealed that parents neglected their children in many ways. The common forms of parent child neglect were: Physical, medical, inadequate supervision, emotional and educational form of neglect. Parents’ level of education, income and occupation influenced parent child neglect. School management should also start programmes to support needy children to help them to be in school.