Effects Of Poverty On Shaping Individual Behavior, A Study Of Nyalenda Slums In Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT An individual behavior is influenced by the environment in which they are socialized in. the behavior of individuals socialized in poverty is greatly influenced by conditions of poverty. The purpose of this study was to conduct a study in Nyalenda slums in order to find out the effects of poverty in shaping of individual behavior. The study was guided by three objectives whereby the first objectives was to find out social institutions contribute to shaping of individual behavior in Nyalenda slums. The other objectives were suggesting the effect of poverty in influencing the behavioral patterns of individuals living within Nyalenda slum and to suggest copying strategies aimed at helping poor individuals living in Nyalenda slums to ensure their social institutions socialize members to adopt accepted behavior. This study is relevant in changing the way of thinking of individuals who undergo socialization in poverty. It targets individuals living in poverty, draws out, and points out the role of social institutions in shaping behavior. This study is his founded on a wide range of existing literature. The study is further guided by three theories namely, cognitive social learning theories, cognitive development theories and systems theory perspective. The study was conducted in Nyalenda slums in Kisumu County, Kenya. The target population was 4680 households, which is the approximate number of households living below the poverty line in Nyalenda slum. This study used a descriptive research design. The sample used in this study was 50 households randomly selected to represent the entire population. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed with the help of Microsoft office Excel computer package. The findings were presented in tables, pie charts and bar charts. The study findings showed that majority of respondents were of the opinion that social institution contributed to shaping of behaviour.76% agreed that economic institutions shaped behavior. Majority of respondents represented by86% agreed that family institutions contributed to development of behaviour while 66% were of the opinion that schooling contributed to behavior. Findings showed that poverty had effects on behavior of individuals with 46% confessing that poverty had much influence on their behavior. Most respondents represented by 54% agreed that behavourial problems were prevalent in poverty stricken areas. The most agreed solution to effects of poverty was efforts of government and non-governmental agencies to curb poverty.92% of respondents responded in favor of this copying strategy. Respondents confirmed that effects of poverty influenced behavioral pattern of poor individuals in Nyalenda slum. Majority of respondents represented by 74% agreed that changing family environments through teaching the poor parental skills is significant in shaping of their behavior. The major conclusion of the study was that individual social environment influenced their behavior. Growing up in poor settings therefore conditions individuals to behave in certain way. The major recommendation was that government should focus on eradicating poverty in attempts to curb prevalence of un accepted behavior among poor people.