Methods of Children’s Punishment in the Nso Socio-Cultural Community: North-West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this article is to Investigate the methods used to punish children who engage in unacceptable behaviors and practices in the Nso community. Method: The methodology for this research was informed by the interpretative or constructivist paradigm. The qualitative methodology for this study was ethnography given that the aim was to describe the cultural factors that underpin the beliefs and practices related to the methods of punishing children in the Banso community. Data collection methods were ethnographic techniques that included observation, in-depth interviews, focus groups discussions, informal conversation, life histories and visual images. Direct and participant observations were used in the collection of data on punishment methods for children. Direct observations were also used to focus on child raising practices and education initiatives for children. Attention was focused on punishment practice traditional methods, the behaviour of children and parents in various contexts. Results: This article presents the sociocultural nomination of crimes in Nso community and the different customary punishments methods. Finally, the consequences of society’s perceptions and impressions on traditional methods of punishment play a major role. From the preceding analysis, it is noticed that the Nso ethnic community is doing everything at its level to preserve their traditional methods of punishing children likewise western prescriptions that do well to kick against corporal punishment. This fact results in an almost endless variety of acts and characteristics qualifying as deviant depending on conditions and circumstances. Debates over prostitution, gambling, nudism, cheating and medical quackery, arise from conflicts between norms about such acts. Just as some people consider some acts as deviant, others also become so classified. Social types perceived by some as deviants include reckless drivers, pacifists, racists, “hippie” radicals, ...