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26-09-2021 | Original Article

Child Discipline Practices in Kosovo: Attitudes and Sociodemographic Correlates

Authors: Kaltrina Kelmendi, Aliriza Arënliu, Teuta Halimi

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 7/2022

Abstract

Empirical evidence on the use of disciplinary practices across low- and middle-income countries remains limited and impedes the development of prevention practices. This study explores the disciplinary practices of parents in Kosovo using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 5) collected in 2013 and 2014 through the household survey program supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Overall, 4127 household interviews were completed successfully, accounting for 5416 children aged 1–14. Respondents were asked about child discipline practices, including their attitudes toward violent and nonviolent discipline measures, and the association with sociodemographic correlates was analyzed. The results show that children in Kosovo are highly exposed to violent (61.4%) and nonviolent (31%) disciplinary practices, regardless of gender. In terms of sociodemographic correlates, children from urban areas and from the lowest wealth percentile seem to experience higher rates of violent discipline strategies. Mixed results were obtained regarding educational level of parents. Tolerant attitudes toward the use of physical violence were associated with increased odds ratios in the use of violent discipline practices, ranging from the lowest level of psychological aggression (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 2.23–2.27) to the highest level of severe physical punishment (OR = 4.82; 95% CI = 3.68- 6.32). The study’s findings underline the urgent need to promote positive parenting practices through education and legislation to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for the healthy growth and development of children.

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Universal Declaration on Human Rights; European Convention on Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms and its protocols; International Convention for Civil and Political Rights and its Protocols, Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on Protection of National Minorities; Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination; Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Woman Discrimination; Convention on Children Rights; as well as the Convention against Torture and Treatments of other Cruel, Inhuman and Humiliating Punishments.

The data for Albania were from the MICS 3 round.

The data for Macedonia included only children aged 2–14 years old.

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Title: Child Discipline Practices in Kosovo: Attitudes and Sociodemographic Correlates
Authors: Kaltrina Kelmendi
Aliriza Arënliu
Teuta Halimi
Publication date: 26-09-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00321-1

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Child Discipline Practices in Kosovo: Attitudes and Sociodemographic Correlates

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