Abstract:
The rising cases of delinquent behavior among male teenagers is a feedback of sorts
that the family structure, which is the nurturing context of children has failed to
effectively insulate the teenagers against negative influences. The purpose of this study
was to establish the influence of the family structure on male juvenile delinquency at
the Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Center (KYCTC), in Kiambu County, Kenya.
The study was guided by Family Systems Theory (FST), which views the family as the
primary context where the members of the structure relate with each other
precipitating the development of individual character traits and patterns of behavior.
Therefore, FST practitioners attribute outcomes of an individual to manifestations of
sequences of family interaction. The study used purposive sampling method and simple
random technique to select a sample of 68 males aged between 15 and 18 years from a
target population of 120 delinquents at the KYCTC. Purposive sampling was used to
juveniles between 15 and 18 years while random sampling technique was used to select
the main sample of 68 out of the population of 120.The study used the ex post facto
research design. In this study data was collected through interviews, Focus Group
Discussions (FGD) and self-administered questionnaire. Quantitative data collected
through questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS
version 25.0 and qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews and focus
group discussions was analyzed through thematic analysis. The study established that
majority, 23(33.6%) of the juveniles came from families where parents were absent,
21(30.9%) came from single parents and 16(23.5%) were from grandparent led
families. Two-parent families were the least represented among the juvenile
delinquents with 8(11.8%) respondents. The findings of the study indicate that a two-
parent family structure presents the least risk of breeding juvenile delinquency while,
the greatest risk was presented by the absent family structure. These findings point to
the critical role the family structure plays in the development and(or) prevention of
juvenile delinquency. Based on the findings of this study, the paper recommends that
family-centric intervention measures be put in place, considering factors such as:
sensitization on the critical role the family structure plays in combating juvenile
delinquency, strengthening of the parenting role; encouragement of co-parenting in
case of separation; coordination of key stakeholders including the children’s
department, correction institutions and religious organizations.