The influence of parental support on juvenile delinquency in Mombasa County, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to investigate the influence of parental support on Juvenile delinquency in Mombasa County, Kenya. The contention of the article is that juvenile delinquency presents a critical socio-legal challenge in Mombasa County, Kenya, undermining community stability and the well-being of youth. While family dynamics are broadly recognized as influential, the specific mechanisms of parental support within this unique coastal context remain insufficiently understood. Anchored in Social Control Theory and Social Learning Theory, this study adopted an analytical cross-sectional mixed-methods design to assess the influence of parental support on juvenile delinquency among adolescents aged 13–17 years in Likoni Sub-County. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, with quantitative analysis performed via descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that while educational support was present in many households, financial instability was prevalent, with nearly half of respondents reporting delays in fee payments. The regression analysis established a robust association between parental support and delinquency. Specifically, the absence of parental involvement such as failing to ensure school attendance or providing learning materials drastically increased the odds of delinquent behavior, with odds ratios exceeding 50.0 in several categories. Furthermore, family financial problems were identified as a significant predictor of delinquency. The study concludes that parental support acts as a critical protective buffer against crime. Consequently, effective prevention strategies in Mombasa must move beyond punitive measures to include holistic family-centered programs that enhance parental capacity and alleviate socio-economic pressures.