Investigation of the Construct of Parenting from Children Perspectives in Primary Schools in Moshi Municipality of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to conduct an investigation on the construct of parenting from children’s perspectives a case study of Moshi municipality. Within Moshi municipality five government and five private schools were selected. The target populations were primary school pupils, parents and Teachers. The main methods employed in conducting the study were desk review, structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings for current study indicate that 90% of the children involved in the study perceive conditional care where by the socioeconomic status in the family determines the receipt for their provisions. 80% of the children are also needed to conduct themselves in various manners (responsible and accept morals) to be cared for by their parents. They would like to be involved in the dynamics and changes that are happening in the family and felt that still there is a big gap on the sides of parents on the recognition and respect for children’s ideas. Children themselves are aware about their position in the family and know their boundaries. Authoritarian parenting style is what is most frequently reported in these findings with the children advocating for authoritative parenting instead. Also the findings indicate the ideas of parents and teachers that its complications on the provisional of children care as every parent did as sees the best for his children as parents declare the important of including children and discover their position in the family. Also teachers explain on such to their environment that parents are not much aware to their children as only few of them follow up for children development especially in school. The researcher recommend that parents, teachers, community members and local leaders need to be informed of the issue of children participation, their potential contribution and their perception of the parental care offered