The Influence of Parental Care Strategies on Enhancing Moral Values in Youth in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania

In the modern world, the immorality, particularly among youth has become a major problem which overwhelms human societies worldwide. This study investigated the influence of parental care strategies on enhancing moral values among youth in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. The researcher employed a mixed-methods approach with a convergent design. The study was guided by a single objective and a single research question. The research involved 114 respondents selected using the stratum method for teachers, the purposive technique for heads of schools and religious ministers, and simple random sampling for students and parents. Semi-structured interview guide, Focused group discussion and Questionnaires were employed in data collection. The data were analyzed by Cronbach’s Alpha in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20 for quantitative data, and the thematic analysis method for qualitative data. The findings reveal that youth often disregard their parents’ cultural norms, a situation greatly contributed to by parents’ irresponsibility towards youth and their own shortcomings, which lead to a failure to foreshadow moral life examples in their daily lives. The study recommended the application of Parental Care Strategies which emphasize on moral exemplification and the fulfillment of one’s duties among parents, and the respect for parents’ guidance among youth, and the need for establishment of government policy in provision of moral values among youth in schools, and employing adequate qualified moral and religious teachers to deliver relevant teachings for enhancing moral values in youth.