Child Development In Contexts Of Conflicting And Harmonious Parenting Styles In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Parents are key people in the life of growing children, the future of children depends on the success on bringing them up. This study examined child development in the contexts of conflicting and harmonious parenting styles in Tanzania for the purpose of obtaining information that will ultimately improve family context for optimal child development. The study deployed exploratory and explanatory study design where qualitative approach was used with some elements of quantitative approach. The study was guided by the Family System Theory by Minuchin and Bowen and involved 44 informants, i.e.24 parents and 20 children who were selected purposefully. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and focus group discussion (FGD). The obtained data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that harmonious parenting styles between parents create a conducive environment which ensures proper social and emotional development. Individual differences and childhood experiences were seen as the most dominant factors contributing to differences in parenting practices between a father and a mother. The study further found that negotiation through communication, compromise and respect for each other were among strategies which parents use often in negotiating their conflicting parenting styles. Further, the study found that children from harmonious parenting style feel happy and loved contrary to children in conflicting parenting style who admitted to feel guilty, anxious and worried. The study concluded that, parents should understand that the level of agreement/ disagreement in their rearing practices has great contribution to child development. It is recommended in this study that parents should be aware of their action in parenting and should find a way to collaborate and work as a team in child rearing