Insurgency and its effects on child rearing practices: a case study of Kitgum District

Abstract

The twenty year L.R.A rebel activity raised national and international concern. The economic, social and moral effects are enormous. Currently, 1.6 million people (92%) of the Acholi region in Northern Uganda are living in Internally Displaced People’s Camp as a result of the conflict. The insurgency has destroyed homes, communities and broken down trust among people, undermining the very foundation of children’s lives. The social fabric of the society, social practices, values, ethics, norms and culture of the people are destroyed. Children being the most vulnerable group in the community are greatly affected. They are facing serious violation and denial of their protection, developmental, socialization and survival rights. These are factors that hinder the development and expansion of basic human capabilities, potentialities and the promotion of valuable human functioning. Cultural practices like child rearing which was considered ideal in promoting the holistic developmental process of children according to the norms of people has been negatively impacted upon. Parents and guardians are facing challenges in rearing and managing children due the diverse category of vulnerability of children including formerly abducted children, child soldiers, child mothers, child headed households and orphans. Such conditions have subjected them acquire new lifestyles and behavior as coping mechanisms during the hard conditions. Parents and guardians are stressed with their roles of raising up children due to overwhelming challenges they are experiencing. As there is uncertainty about the end of the problem, there is need to rescue the suffering children and their parents from the dilemma they are in. Since this has affected psychosocial well being of society, there is need to address it from community and family settings. This is necessary because psychosocial well being requires the security of family and community relationships and the existence of safe and predictable environment. So rebuild disrupted communities, there is need to encourage all productive and active members of society through holistic approaches addressing material, physical, psychosocial, and social needs of adults and children in the context of their families and communities.