ABSTRACT

This study investigated the parenting styles and how they influence the behavior . of children at school in Marani division Kisi1 central district in Kenya. The following objectives guided the study/ to assess the role of parents have played in nurturing their children. to assess the dimensions of child parent interactions which are prevalent in some families of pupils we teach in class and to investigate the influence of parenting on pupils academic capability. This study used a descriptive survey where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Findings showed that majonty of parents were married although there were some few cases of single and divorced. There were also some who were widowed. The children from the last three categories of families of course/ were most likely to be facing challenges in their lives/ although Cooper (2000) suggested that even two parent families also faced challenges. Findings also highlighted that most of the pupils understudy were parented by middle aged familie~ who had much to do. This also could affect the parenting dimensions. The findings further established that some parents provided social and emotional needs to their parents. In other words they tried to offer adequate care to their children. Recommendations were also made. It is time for parents to abandon those outdated traditions such as early marriages and female circumcision. They must learn to treat their daughters and sons with equal dignity and respect and Policy makers must review the education policies to ensure gender responsiveness.