PARENTAL ALCOHOL ABUSE AND CHILDREN DETACHMENT TO THE STREETS IN KABALE MUNICIPALITY, UGANDA

Abstract

This study investigated how parental alcohol abuse influences children leaving their homes in Kabale municipality, Uganda. The child‟s life journey was traced from home through the streets. Four research questions guided the study: How does parental alcohol abuse influence children leaving their homes? What challenges are faced by the street children? What survival strategies do children use to face the challenges on the street? What interventions would control parental alcohol abuse? The study was guided by Erickson‟s psychosocial development theory in view of the environment that would facilitate or hinder proper development. Phenomenological research design of the qualitative approach was used in the study. Children who left their homes due to parental alcohol abuse were the targeted population accessible at The Shepherd Center and Grace Villa children-care centers. A sample size of 15 participants consisted of 5 boys, and 5 girls living in children-care centers, 4 children caretakers from the children-care centers, and a Probation Officer was purposefully selected. Interview and observation methods were used to collect data. Colleagues and supervisors reviewed the research instruments for validity. Credibility was ensured by means of triangulation of participants and a voice recorder. The process of data analysis involved transcribing, coding, presenting, discussing, and interpreting in a narrative form. The findings revealed that children left their homes because their drunken parents neglected them by their absence and inadequate provision of basic needs such as food. Parents physically abused the children by beating and sending them out of the house at night. Some children experience unpredictability, insults, and rejection from their parents. Consequently children left home. Boys went to the streets while girls went either for early marriage, prostitution, and working in hotels or house girls. Challenges faced on the street included getting food, shelter, security, parental guidance, and medical care. In order to survive the street children engaged in stealing, begging, drug abuse, selling metal scrap, and child labour. The participants suggested community sensitization, laws and regulations regarding the production, marketing and consumption of alcohol, and ensuring children are in school as possible interventions to control parental alcohol abuse in Kabale municipality. The study recommends the government to implement the laws and regulations on alcohol abuse, church and other institutions to provision of professional family and individual counseling services, community to set up vocational schools, community and church to provide sensitization programs on alcohol abuse, and NGOs to set support services for street children.