Characteristics of good and bad parents as described by Kenyan children

Abstract

200 Kenyan school aged children were videotaped during a voluntary structured interview in which they were asked what good parents do and what they do not do. 108 of the participants were male and 92 were female with a mean age of 11.8 years. 66 of the participants came from low socioeconomic status (SES) homes, 67 from middle SES homes, and 67 from high SES homes. Of the 200 participants, 178 said they lived with both biological parents when not at school. Participants' answers to the question, “What do good mothers/fathers do?” showed an emphasis toward provision for the fathers and nurture for the mothers. In comparing subgroups, there were differences between age groups and socioeconomic status groups, but few gender differences. Future directions for research in understanding children's perceptions of good parents were suggested.

African Journal of Cross-Cultural psychology and sport facilitation (AJCPSF) Vol. 8 2006: pp. 91-104