How War Changes Parenting Ideas And Practices: The Views Of Elders Living In Post-Conflict Northern Uganda
Presenter: Leen De Nutte
Studies on resilience and adversity have indicated the importance of parenting as a protective process for children in a context of (past) collective violence. However, little is known regarding the way parenting potentially changes following such violence. Therefore, this study explored parental beliefs and parenting practices through interviews (n=9) and focus groups (n=12 groups of 8 participants) with elders in Kitgum district, Northern Uganda. This area has been affected by collective violence which resulted out of the conflict between the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach, it appeared that parenting has changed in divergent ways. First, particular parenting practices, such as fireplace teachings, were difficult to uphold during the war, since there was no time, space or opportunity to do so. Second, parenting is now much more seen as an individual responsibility which is juxtaposed to its collective responsibility in the past. Third, this study revealed a shift in traditional gender roles of parents. Practice and policy should take into account these changes in parenting with regard to the provision of context-sensitive interventions to support the process of resilience for both children and parents in the aftermath of collective violence.