Impact of Family Instability On Children’s Well-Being: Case of Ruben Primary School in Mukuru Slum, Nairobi County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t7047Abstract
Family plays a crucial role in shaping identity, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting child development. However, family instability, particularly step-parenting and remarriage, can negatively impact children's social well-being. This study examined the influence of step-parenting and remarriage on children at Ruben Primary School in Mukuru Slum, Nairobi, using Bowen’s Family Systems Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as the theoretical framework. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 65 randomly selected adolescents aged 13–16 through survey questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that 70% of respondents reported a high level of social disruption, 23% a moderate impact, and 7% a low impact, indicating that family instability affects children's ability to form social relationships, leading to trust difficulties, peer relationship struggles, and emotional distress. The study recommends targeted interventions such as counseling, family support programs, and parental sensitization initiatives to mitigate these effects, while policymakers and community stakeholders should collaborate to strengthen family-oriented policies that promote children's well-being in blended families.
Keywords: Impact, Family instability, Children’s well-being
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