ANALYSIS OF PARENTING STYLES AND BULLYING BEHAVIOR AMONG GIRLS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAJIADO WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze parenting styles and bullying behavior among girls in public secondary schools. Cross sectional survey design and phenomenological design was used .The target population was schools in Kajiado West Sub County, Parents, Principals, Deputy Principals, Heads of counseling Department and Girls students. A total of 272 respondents participated in the study. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Six girls secondary schools were targeted, Six Principal, Six Deputy Principals, Six heads of counseling department, 164 students, 30 bully students and 60 parents. The sampling procedures were both probability and non- probability sampling. Purposive sampling procedure was used to sample schools, student bullies and Parents of the student bullies. Other Students were sampled using stratified sampling procedure. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis guides. Conclusions and recommendations were made based on the findings. In most schools very little is done to curb bullying from the school administration although they often referred to the guidance and counseling departments. The study findings revealed the following: first the most prevalent type of parenting style among parents of students in Kajiado west sub County was authoritative. Second the prevalent bullying was verbal abuse followed by sexual harassment. The least types of bullying were cyber bullying and abuse. Verbal bullying did not seem to bother the students like the sexual bullying did. Third, findings showed that students with bullying behaviors had their parents not close to them and they never listen to their needs. Authoritarian parenting style was the most linked to bullying while neglectful and permissive parenting styles were least linked to bullying. Most parents who were interviewed mentioned that they were too busy for their children‟s needs. Forth, the effects of bullying seen among the bullies and victims were poor relationships among students. In both cases there was declined academic performance. Finally, the ways suggested for curbing bullying were suspension, dialogue with the parents and guidance and counseling to both bullies and victims. The Parents should demand for more consultative engagements not only on money matters but also in regard to students discipline in terms of bullying in school. The government should also enhance policy formulation that is holistic, inclusive and participatory to address the challenges posed by bullying. Finally, there was need to train teachers on skills of handling bullying incidences in schools.