Abstract:
The incidences of juvenile delinquency have increased in recent years in
Kenya. Most of the studies done on Juvenile delinquency have paid little or
no attention to family functions as one of the possible causes. This study was
carried out in Nakuru town Municipality on former street children on
rehabilitation in three homes. The sample was 148 and included all the 30
girls in the three homes and 118 boys selected using the stratified random
sampling technique from a population of 241. Three managers of the three
homes and six purposively selected parents were included. Two interview
schedules and a questionnaire were used to collect data from the
respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s
moment correlation and t-test. Juvenile delinquency was found to be
significantly related to marital stability, family size, marital adjustment and
mode of discipline. A weak relationship between juvenile delinquency and
socio-economic status was observed. The delinquency level of boys was
significantly higher than that of girls. It was concluded that there is a
relationship between family functions and juvenile delinquency. The study
recommended strengthened of counselling on parenting and involvement of
families and non-governmental organizations in the rehabilitation efforts.
