Assessing the effects of family conflicts on children’s development in Huye district of Rwanda and the need for social work interventions

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effects of family conflicts on children's development and the implications for the social work  profession. The qualitative study guided by the conflict theory was conducted in the Huye district of Rwanda and adopted the narrative  analysis of 16 interviews with families experiencing conflicts, Inshuti Z’Umuryango (IZU, Friends of Family), and local leaders who were  selected on a purposive sampling basis considering that the representatives of others have more information. The study found that many  children are affected by family conflicts in this district due to issues between the parents. The study also demonstrated that the main cause of family conflicts is the lack of effective communication between spouses. But there are other identified causes of family  conflicts such as poverty, aggressive behaviors, infidelity, bad advice from peers, and bad leadership. Thus, the problems between  partners negatively impact the children being the weaker part of the family and they drop out of school and girls may be impregnated.  Social Workers in collaboration with Government Leaders are recommended to do their best to initiate more innovative programs that  can be helpful for these families struggling with conflicts.