Influence of parenting styles on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem among Kenyan secondary school students in Wareng district, Uasin Gishu County

Abstract

Parenting styles have been cited to have brought conflict between young people and their parents on values or ethical principles, and morality or religion. This is an element which is present in almost all cultures. Therefore, parenting style may have an influence on adolescent self-esteem, autonomy, independence and openness. This study focused on the influence of parenting styles on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem among students in secondary schools in Wareng district, in Uasin Gishu county – Kenya. It views family parenting styles as the main precursors towards adolescents‟ decision making, self-reliance and conformity. The objective of the study was to establish the relationship between authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved parenting styles on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem. It targeted a population of 23027 adolescents. A sample size of 394 was drawn from 10 secondary schools through stratified random sampling. The researcher employed causal-comparative research design since the study was meant to examine the relationship between two or more variables. This research was based on Carl Rogers‟ Self Theory and Adult Attachment Theory by Bowlby, where both theories are used to explain autonomy and self-esteem development. A self-administered questionnaire was used, examining different parenting styles and aspects of autonomy, scored on a five-point Likert scale and a self esteem questionnaire, scored on a three-point scale. To ensure the validity of the research instruments, the researcher used expert judgment. On obtaining complete data, it was organized, edited, tabulated and coded to facilitate effective analysis. Hypotheses were tested at 5% significance level. Data analysis was done using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS), where both descriptive and interferential statistics were used. The statistical tools used include the mean, standard deviation, correlation analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson Correlation Moment. The findings revealed that, there was a significant positive relationship between authoritative parenting style and adolescent autonomy and self-esteem, while authoritarian parenting showed no significant relationship with adolescent autonomy. Further, the findings revealed that permissive parenting style does not yield autonomous adolescents, while uninvolved parenting has an influence on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem. Considering the students‟ gender, girls were found to be more autonomous and of high self-esteem than their male counterparts, especially those in forms two and four than those of form three. However, the study generated information on parenting styles, self-esteem and autonomy related aspects, and these might be of value to school stake holders, organizations, and more so the parents who have a direct influence on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem. Among the recommendations put forward by the researcher is that society and learning institutions should establish programs where program administration should be adolescent based, so that the motivation, direction and goals come from the adolescents. Also, with adolescent autonomy, certain parenting practices such as discussions between parents and adolescents, delegation of duties to adolescents among others should be emphasized.