Blended Family Dynamics and Social Behaviour Outcome of the Child in Kenya: Case of Kabete Sub-County in Kiambu County

Abstract

Family changes adversely impact the social behaviour of a child. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of blended family dynamics on social outcome of the child in Kenya using case of Kabete Sub-County in Kiambu County. To achieve its objectives, the study uses primary data collected from a sample of 50 secondary school age-going children from blended families. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis method as well as inference using the chi-square method. One of the key findings of the study was that within different blended family dynamics, a higher proportion of respondents with delinquent behaviours such as cheating, stealing, fighting and school absenteeism were found within stepmother families than in stepfather families or a combination of stepfather and stepmother. In general, the study reflects an adverse social behaviour outcome of the child in both stepmother and stepfather families suggesting that stepparents should establish friendships with the children and foster trust and respect in order to reassure them that the new environment is safe to live in. The findings of the study are important in that they can be used to formulate policies and strategies for promoting improvement in social behaviour of the child in blended families.

Keywords: blended family dynamics, social behaviour, stepparents, stepfather families, stepmother families.