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Disciplinary practices among orphaned children in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Mark Lee
  • Elizabeth Heger Boyle

Abstract

Objectives: This study considers whether orphans’ experiences with physically and psychologically violent discipline differ from non-orphans in sub-Saharan Africa, and to what extent national, community, household, caretaker, and child characteristics explain those differences. Methods: We use cross-sectional Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) administered between 2010–2017 in 14 sub-Saharan African countries. The sample included 125,197 children, of which 2,937 were maternal orphans, 9,113 were paternal orphans, and 1,858 were double orphans. We estimate the difference between orphans and non-orphans experience of harsh discipline using multivariable logistic regressions with country fixed effects and clustered standard errors. Results: Findings show that orphaned children experience less harsh discipline in the home. With the exception of double orphans’ experience with physically violent discipline, these differences persisted even after controlling for a rich set of child, household, and caretaker characteristics. Conclusions: We propose two alternative explanations for our surprising findings and provide a supplementary analysis to help arbitrate between them. The evidence suggests that orphaned children (especially those with a deceased mother) are less likely to experience harsh discipline because of lower caretaker investment in their upbringing. We encourage future research to draw on in-depth interviews or household surveys with discipline data from multiple children in a home to further unpack why orphans tend to experience less harsh punishment than other children.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Lee & Elizabeth Heger Boyle, 2021. "Disciplinary practices among orphaned children in Sub-Saharan Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-20, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0246578
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246578
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ainsworth, Martha & Semali, Innocent, 2000. "The impact of adult deaths on children's health in Northwestern Tanzania," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2266, The World Bank.
    2. Nyamukapa, C.A. & Gregson, S. & Lopman, B. & Saito, S. & Watts, H.J. & Monasch, R. & Jukes, M.C.H., 2008. "HIV-associated orphanhood and children's psychosocial distress: Theoretical framework tested with data from Zimbabwe," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(1), pages 133-141.
    3. Ha, Wei & Salama, Peter & Gwavuya, Stanley, 2015. "The impact of orphanhood on education attendance: evidence from Zimbabwe," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 59-70.
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