Family conflict and children: a sociological analysis of the effects of family conflict upon children among the Pakhtuns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Family conflict has enormous unwanted consequences for the entire family, most specifically for the children. As the children depend on their adult elders to carry on the tasks of future building in a conducive environment at home, However, a conflicting family environment works against the cause and spoils the positive energies of the children. The current research study emphasizes examining the behavioral, academic, and occupation-related negative consequences that a child bears as a result of family conflict. The study is conducted in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 42 participants (six from each administrative unit of Swat) are enrolled in the study and selected through stratified random sampling techniques. Data are collected in face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. After careful translation and transcription of the primary information, the data are thematically analyzed and descriptively presented. The study demonstrates that family conflict produces and reproduces negative effects for the children, predominantly on their psychological and emotional wellbeing, attitude, moral standards, social functioning, and responses in different social situations. In addition, due to an inappropriate household environment, they exhibit weak academic and skill-related performance and therefore have very few chances of getting quality jobs and the ability to flourish in sound personal businesses. The researcher feels a dire need to investigate the reasons why the system of education in Pakistani society is unable to induce patriotic sense in the citizens who, instead of their personal interests, work for the cause of the state.