Children's Social Capital through Child Rearing Practices of Women with Children Under Three Years in Sindh, Pakistan

Thursday, 15 July 2010: 9:10 AM

Alia Nasir, MA, EHPID, (UK), BScN, RM, RN
Liaquat National College of Nursing, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Learning Objective 1: 1. Understanding of the diverse child rearing practice of women with children under three year in the province of Sindh, Pakistan

Learning Objective 2: 2. Strong link between early childhood care and development, social capita and positive deviance in the overall social and economic development of a country

Purpose: Social capital (SC) available to children plays a large part in determining their health and academic success.  It has been suggested that SC is one of the mechanisms linking health and could act as an enabling or reinforcing factor of behavioral change (Pridomore 1998). The study investigated mother’s child rearing practices of children less than three years.  Especial focus was placed to analyse the social capital gained from the practices of the mothers.

Methods: The study investigated mother’s child rearing practices of children less than three years.  Especial focus was placed to analyse the social capital gained from the practices of the mothers.  Within the qualitative paradigm, an observational study design was used by a triangulation method of data collection.  This included semi-structured interviews, focused group discussions and observations.  Purposive sampling was done.  Data was collected on a pilot tested interview guide and observational checklist.  A total of 21 mothers and 4 health care personnel were selected.  
Results: Results indicated that ethnicity, economic status, education level, place of residence all are complex factors. All of these may have tendency to exert direct influence upon child rearing practices (CRP). 
Conclusion: The study revealed that the early years of life is a very crucial period for the development of child as an individual, family, community and nation.  The results are discussed to propose recommendations which deal with policy, practice and future insights.