Emerging Street Youth Violent Groups in Musoma: What is the Role of Individual Parents’ Socio-Economic Status (SES)?

This study presents findings regarding violence among emerging street youth violent groups in Musoma, Tanzania using a total sample of 94 (M = 20.02 years, SD = 4.05) respondents purposefully selected from four violent groups. Specific objectives included: examining the variation in violence involvement among the violent groups; establishing the level of relationship between individual parents’ SES and the level of violent behaviour among the members of the violent groups; and examining to determine if individual parents’ SES is a significant predictor of the development of violence among members of the violent groups. Findings revealed higher level of involvement in violent behaviours among groups (M = 70.85, SD = 11.14). The ANOVA results indicated a statistical significant difference [F (3, 90) = 6.035, p = 0.001] in the mean scores of the level of involvement in violent behaviour among the violent groups comprised of members drawn from different socio-economic status. The contribution of parents’ socio-economic status (SES) on individual’s violent behaviours measured by multiple regression analysis was weak (R2 =.112, p =.161). Thus, parents’ SES is a weak and non-statistical significant predictor for individual’s involvement in violence and violent acts. Thus, immediate intervention programmes such as establishment of rehabilitation centres and counselling services is recommended.