Elderly Perceptions Regarding Changes in the Parent-Child Relationship in the Modern Era: A Case of Coast Region, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing elderly perceptions regarding changes in the parent-child relationship in the Coast region through crossectional design. Both probability and non-probability techniques were used to select the sample. The study managed to collect data from 394 respondents. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study findings revealed that older people perceived changes in the parent-children relationship as negative and detrimental. This marks a contrasting difference in the parent-child relationship between the traditional and modern eras. Further, the elderly had a perception that the current generation of adult children has tremendously failed to keep and preserve values, norms, folklore and taboos that used to maintain the parent-child relationship in the past. This has led adult children to lack respect, proper consultation and regular communication with their elderly parents. Modernization and urbanization were perceived as the main causes of changing parent-child relationships in modern days. It is recommended that the government and the community should ensure that traditional norms and values which enforced children’s obedience towards their parents when are old are maintained. Further, the traditional communal parenting system whereby the whole community was responsible for the children's upbringing should be emphasized. Additionally, the community and the government at large should ensure that adult children are taught the importance of the elderly in the community, given their vast wisdom and experience. Moreover, there is a need for the government to collaborate with community leaders to ensure that modernization and urbanization do not alter the norms and values of most Tanzanian societies.