Youth unemployment: effects on hosts in an urban setting, Nairobi

Abstract

This study set out to establish the sources of support for the urban based unemployed youths living in Nairobi. Specifically, the study sought to examine the problems experienced by hosts in Nairobi based on certain expectations by these youths. It was observed that some unemployed youths took prolonged periods of time as they waited to be employed. Our study therefore attempted to establish some of the major factors that determine the period of hosting. In the same connection, the study sought to establish some of the experiences of hosts as they put up with job-seekers for such periods. The period of hosting was viewed as critical in the light of changing attitudes towards the African extended family system, the inflation rate in a developing country like ours as well as the population growth rate.The study population consisted of both male and female household heads hosting unemployed youths in Nairobi on the one hand. On the other hand, were unemployed youths who formed the second group. The youths were interviewed first for purposes of directing us to their hosts.A total of 170 questionnaires were administered, in this manner; 100 to the youths and 70 to the hosts. The research instrument consisted of standardized interviewer administered questionnaires made up of both closed and open-ended questions.It was postulated that the socio-economic conditions, extended family ties, kinship ties and reciprocity have an influence on the period of hosting. Our three hypothesis were tested using percentages, contingency coefficients, gamma coefficients and the pearson product moment correlation coefficients.This study arrived at the conclusion that most unemployed youths get their support from their urban based relatives. The second most important group supporting job-seekers in urban areas were found to be friends. The findings were that hosts of unemployed youths have taken over a major responsibility in the upkeep, socialization and general welfare of the unemployed during the waiting period. During this period of waiting, the unemployed become part and parcel of the households and hence the socialization process continues.