The Situation and Roles of Women in Kenya: An Overview

Karani, Florida A

doi:10.2307/2295235

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, in her recent analysis of male-female relations generally and specifically on how gender identities are formulated, Silberschmidt (1999) discovered that socio-economic and cultural change has had an immense impact on gender relations in modern Gusii households. Disputing the commonly held contention among social scientists that rural women have suffered more severely from the negative impacts of modernization compared to men (Karani, 1987;Gray & Kervane, 1999), in Kisii, the "changes have affected men more deeply than women with their roles and identities challenged and undermined with those of women strengthened in some ways". The dismantling of the "male hegemony" is as a result of the breakdown of the traditional cultural base and social institutions that supported it.…”

Section: On Wealth Acquisition and Upward Mobility In Today's Society At The Expense Of Imparting Morals And Values"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio–cultural and family change in Africa: Implications for adolescent socialization in Kisii County, South Western, Kenya

Akuma¹

2015

eastafrica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper focuses on the individual and institutional responses to the changing cultural landscape in rural south western Kenya. These changes result not only from new conditions in worldwide economic, political and cultural relations, but also human interactions within national and local contexts. By concentrating solely on the family, the findings indicate that the local people have responded by: firstly, abandoning some of their traditional norms and replacing them with modern values, giving rise to problems as these new values are either partially or totally incompatible with present local circumstances. Secondly, blending previously accepted social values with emerging ones is fraught with great difficulties. As is observed, whereas a solution lies in abandoning the 'moribund' values and continuing with those that are necessary for modern living, the common practice in the study area has been to discard the more important component of the values. This is illustrated by, for example, "shedding off" the educational component and concentrating on the role of boys' and girls' genitals in rites of passage with far reaching implications on the socialization of the young people in the community. In the same vein, the spontaneous elimination of the "institutional defense mechanisms", which traditionally served to provide individuals with the ability to adapt normally to psychological, social and physical environments and protect the society from disruption, has led to the disintegration of traditional family and marriage systems. This has led to a social crisis with all indications pointing to the emergence of a generation of young people totally unprepared to fit into contemporary society.In Kenya, as in the other regions of the world, the combined impact of the local and complex phenomenon of globalization has been shaping the socioeconomic and cultural environment, leading to the transformations of major social institutions, with that of the family becoming the most affected and the cultural norms, socialization processes and values also being affected. This article discusses the impact of social change on the institution of the family in

show abstract

Section: On Wealth Acquisition and Upward Mobility In Today's Society At The Expense Of Imparting Morals And Values"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio–cultural and family change in Africa: Implications for adolescent socialization in Kisii County, South Western, Kenya

Akuma¹

2015

eastafrica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Colonialism interfered with the traditional family roles and gender division of labour in traditional societies where men prepared the fields for planting, tended the cattle, hunted and were warriors (Sifuna, 1990). Women provided a strong support for their men by taking care of all in the home front (Karani, 1987;Srujana, 1996). The post-Colonial period saw the advent of a semi-formal education for Kenyan men to prepare them for work in the settler farms and in the colonial administrations with employment in urban centers.…”

Section: Effects Of Western Influence On Fatherhood In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatherhood in Kenyan ethnic communities: Implication for child development

Lasser

Fite

Wadende

2011

School Psychology International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article reviews the traditional and evolving constructions of fatherhood in Kenyan society, with an emphasis on fatherhood's impact on child development outcomes. Western influence and increased access to technology have changed the role of the Kenyan father, and in turn affected his role in the family. Special attention is given to implications for child development and for educators working with children and families in Kenya.

show abstract

“…This is mainly in response to the socioeconomic changes taking place in the rural areas that negatively impact women (Mackenzie, 1986; Mbugua-Murithi). The self-help "spirit" puts emphasis on small community concerns such as health clinics, wells, cattle dips, fish ponds, community halls, feeder roads, schools, and village polytechnics (Karani, 1987;Srujana, 1996;Thomas, 1987) as well as the establishment of adult literacy programs (Srujana). Income-generating projects include handicrafts, bee-keeping, brick-making, poultry, livestock, and petty trade (Kamar, 1999;Karani 1987;Karega, 1996).…”

Section: The Case Of Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The self-help "spirit" puts emphasis on small community concerns such as health clinics, wells, cattle dips, fish ponds, community halls, feeder roads, schools, and village polytechnics (Karani, 1987;Srujana, 1996;Thomas, 1987) as well as the establishment of adult literacy programs (Srujana). Income-generating projects include handicrafts, bee-keeping, brick-making, poultry, livestock, and petty trade (Kamar, 1999;Karani 1987;Karega, 1996). However, implementing such development projects in their communities requires organizational and leadership skills in making decisions, income generation, and mobilization of community members.…”

Section: The Case Of Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, Oettingen (1995) used the theory of self-efficacy to explain how change can take place in societies, especially in societies that are collectivist. This is true of traditional Kenyan rural societies where women help each other in times of need such as death, sickness, or with the provision of farm labor (Karani, 1987;Srujana, 1996;Thomas 1988). High self-efficacy means that people are more likely to participate in activities in which they believe they can succeed.…”

Section: Conceptual/theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Improving the Livelihoods of Women in the Developing World: Selected Perceptions of Women’s Self-help Groups in Western Kenya

Jivetti¹,

Edwards²

2010

The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic,

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Development specialists agree that poverty in developing countries is a multidimensional phenomenon. The United Nations (2001) reported that the poorest of the world's poor are women. The Kenyan Government recognizes that poverty is area specific and interventions aimed at creating employment and reducing poverty must be localized. In Kenya, "women's selfhelp groups" have become popular avenues through which women in rural areas complement efforts toward alleviating poverty. This study examined women's groups (Sindikiza Maisha) in Western Kenya regarding members' perceptions on improving their livelihoods. Semi-structured, focus group interviews were used to collect data from 11 groups. Most groups were formed to assist HIV-AIDS-related orphans or widows. Groups expressed the need for a local trade school and supported the establishment of a mobile training unit (MTU). Policy-makers who are charged with alleviating poverty should consider the implementation of a MTU and the construction of a trade school in the Shaviringa Location.

show abstract

The Situation and Roles of Women in Kenya: An Overview

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Socio–cultural and family change in Africa: Implications for adolescent socialization in Kisii County, South Western, Kenya

Socio–cultural and family change in Africa: Implications for adolescent socialization in Kisii County, South Western, Kenya

Fatherhood in Kenyan ethnic communities: Implication for child development

Improving the Livelihoods of Women in the Developing World: Selected Perceptions of Women’s Self-help Groups in Western Kenya

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About