Influence of Adolescent Gender on Parenting Styles, Autonomy and Self- Esteem among Kenyan Secondary School Students in Wareng Sub-County; Uasin Gishu County

Abstract

Parenting style refers to techniques and standards that parents utilize in child rearing. These have been cited to have brought conflict between young people and their parents on values, ethical principles, and issues of morality. This has been reported in almost all cultures, and hence justification for this study. The study was done in Wareng district, Uasin Gishu county. The specific objective is the influence of gender on parenting, autonomy and self- esteem. Population target was 23027 adolescents. A sample of 394 was taken from 10 secondary schools through stratified random sampling, followed by Cochran’s formula. The researcher employed a correlational research design with a positivism paradigm. This research was based on Carl Rogers’ Self Theory and Adult Attachment Theory by Bowlby, where both theories were used to enrich the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data and scored on a five-point Likert scale and a three-point scale. To validate the research instruments, the researcher used expert judgment and for the reliability, a pilot study carried out which gave a correlation coefficient of 0.84. Null hypotheses used were tested at 95% confidence level. Data analysis was done effectively using SPSS, focusing on the mean, standard deviation, a correlation analysis and ANOVA. The study revealed female adolescents being autonomous and male adolescents had good self-esteem. The study information might benefit society, and specifically parents who have a direct influence on adolescent autonomy and self-esteem. The study recommended that parents should adopt parenting styles involving adolescents in decision making and problem solving to enhance their autonomy and self-esteem.