Incapacitated decision making power, over emphasized obedience and its exclusionary effects on children

The objective of this paper is limited to determine the exclusionary effects of poor decisionmaking power of children and variation to their effects among children based on their gender, religion, family background and subjective poverty. A total of 500 children (12-18 years) were selected by systematic sampling technique from seven shopping streets and seven high schools of the District Peshawar, and interviewed. Likert scale was used as a measurement tool. Association of variables was ascertained by using Chi-square test and Kendall’s Tau-b tests, at bivariate and multivariate level. At bivariate level relationship of social exclusion was significant and negative with feeling one’s self influential in molding family level decision, having membership of any organization, liberty in choice of sport, liberty in choice of dress/shoes and people listen to child’s views. At multivariate level, the exclusionary effects of poor decision making power among children varied on the basis of their gender (male and female) and religious affiliations (Muslims and non-Muslims). Contrariwise, result of groups based on sufficiency of family income indicated a nonspurious relationship between power of making decision in children and their social exclusion. Likewise, result of groups based on joint and nuclear family affiliation indicated a non-spurious relationship between power of making decision in children and their social exclusion; conversely, single parent family group had a spurious relationship with above two groups. Ensuring child’s constructive social participation at family and community level activities, reintegration of family role in child’s physical, social and psychological care and socialization, and overcoming gender and religion based disparities in the society were some of the policy recommendations in light of the study.