Changing Family Structures and Their Implications on the Gender Roles in Nakuru Municipality, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Gender roles are mainly defined by the socio-cultural norms of any society. The purpose of this study was to investigate changing family structures and their impactions on gender roles. This study focused on the changing family structures and its implications on gender roles. This study examined factors leading to changes in the family structures, explored how changing family structures have influenced gender roles and ascertained the influence of changing gender roles on children’s behavior. This study was guided by two theories; gender schema and general systems theory. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Nakuru Municipality. A sample size of 202 respondents was selected through purposive and random sampling. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to collect data. Once collected, the data was coded, entered and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version (20) was used to analyze the data which was then presented in graphs, pie charts, percentages and tables for ease of comprehension. The study established that forces such as globalization, rural urban migration and education level had greatly accelerated change in family structure in Nakuru town. The changing family structures have influenced gender roles. Some of the influences included men losing their headship positions in the family, women taking up more responsibilities including having more authority over property. When parents delegated sensitive parenting roles to house-helps, children tended to copy either the house-helps or the parent that was close to them. Boys close to their mothers ended up copying them thus a reversal of gender roles. Forms of indiscipline were noticeable that could be linked to change in parenting style. This study therefore, gives a very clear understanding of the impact of the changing family structures on gender roles. Information generated provides a database for informed decisions to policy makers and help the Government of Kenya to address discrimination along gender lines that arise in the decision-making process, develop policies that define and guide families on specific gender roles.