The role of clothing in developing self-worth• among pre-adolescents: a case of primary schools in Kasarani Division, Nairobi Kenya
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Date
2004
Authors
Maiyo, Chepchumba Rael
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Throughout history, clothing has always been regarded as one of the primary
needs of a human being and primary needs must be fulfilled before secondary needs
are fulfilled. Self-worth, one of the secondary needs consists of self-concept and selfesteem.
It is during the pre-adolescent period that a child starts defining self and this
determines perception of self-worth. The purpose of this study therefore, was to
investigate on issues related to clothing satisfaction of the pre-adolescents and how it
influences their perception of self-worth. The objectives of the study were to:
determine the pre-adolescent's socio-economic background and demographic
characteristics, establish how the pre-adolescents acquired their clothing and factors
considered in the selection, establish the extent to which the pre-adolescents were
satisfied with their clothing and assess their perception of self-worth, establish the
relationship between the pre-adolescent's satisfaction with clothing and their
perception of self-worth, and also relationship between clothing satisfaction with
variables such as their involvement in clothing selection and their socio-economic
background and demographic characteristics.
This study was a survey research conducted in six primary schools in Kasarani
Division of Nairobi Province, using an interview schedule and an essay. A sample of
144 pre-adolescents was selected by stratified and simple random sampling methods.
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Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed.
The findings showed that most of the pre-adolescent's parents/guardians were
educated, employed and resided in the urban area. The majority of the respondents had
their clothing mainly bought for by their parents; open-air markets selling second-hand
clothes being where most clothes were mainly bought. Most pre-adolescents were
mainly involved in their clothing selection. What is accepted by parents and peers
were the socio-cultural factors that always influenced pre-adolescent's clothing
selection while size and colour were the most influential among the factors related to
clothing characteristics. The majority of them were satisfied with their clothing and
attributed size and colour to clothing satisfaction. Most of them had a high perception
of self-worth in relation to their clothing. There was significant relationship between
clothing satisfaction and self-worth, clothing satisfaction and involvement in clothing
selection. No significant relationships were found between clothing satisfaction and
variables such school type, gender, age and highest education attained by respondent's
mothers.
It was concluded that through symbolic interaction with significant others and peer
group members, clothing satisfaction plays a significant role in increasing the preadolescent's
self-worth and therefore issue such like involvement in clothing selection
which affects pre-adolescent's clothing satisfaction should be considered by those
involved with pre-adolescents' clothing. For instance parents should involve their
children in their clothing selection, school policy makers who deal with school
uniforms and designers of children's clothing should always seek the children's
opinion when dealing with their designs. Clothing scholars should also emphasize on
the symbolic implication of clothing satisfaction to social interaction and its
significant role in increasing self-worth, local designers should improve their designs
and further research should be done on clothing in relation to other psychological
Issues.
Description
Department of Textiles, Family and Consumer Sciences, 89p. 2004, TT 630.M3