Challenges of Parenting Children in Environments of High Crime: A Case Study of Mbare Community

Abstract

This research was set up to examine the process of rearing children in high crime environment. The study aimed at looking at the behavioural patterns of parenting children in high crime environment, determining the challenges of parenting children in high crime environment in Mbare, establishing the physiological impact of parenting children in high crime environment in Mbare as well as identifying social support systems that can be put in place in order to protect children against high crimes. The Self-Determination Theory, Relatedness Support and attachment theory was used as the theoretical foundation of parenting style in high crime setting. This study was a quantitative study. The use of case study followed since it enables a lot more conclusive research since data collection is rather easy. The cases sought in this study were based on the residents in Matapi Flats in the community of Mbare and its stakeholders and those of the ZRP and education leaders. The size of the sample taken was 40 participants sampled in the population of Matapi flats in Mbare residents. In the study, the researcher used judgmental or purposive sampling method. The research paper has considered that parental style is a major determinant in the creation of both externalizing and internalizing behavioral tendencies among children. Authoritative parenting style that integrates the psychological well-being leads to negative influence in the process of becoming a criminal. Children also need to be taught to act right and they need independence in order to develop a sense of right decisions and this is a trait of being authoritative parent.