Malezi ya Mtoto wa Karne ya Ishirini na Moja Katika Novela za Assumpta K. Matei

Abstract

SWAHILI

Makala hii inachunguza namna malezi ya mtoto wa karne ya ishirini na moja yanavyowasilishwa katika novela tatu za Assumpta K. Matei: Mji wa Matarajio (2022), Uteuzi wa Chale (2022) na Tumaini la Mzeituni (2025). Ingawa tafiti zilizotangulia zimejadili malezi, usawiri wa watoto, teknolojia na masuala ibuka katika fasihi ya watoto, bado hazijaeleza kwa kina namna mabadiliko ya kiuchumi, kiafya, kimazingira na kiteknolojia yanavyobadili mahitaji, majukumu ya walezi na mahusiano ya kimalezi katika novela za Matei. Utafiti ulitumia mkabala wa kiubora, muundo wa kimaelezo-kiuchanganuzi, usomaji wa karibu na uchanganuzi wa nyaraka. Data ilichanganuliwa kimaudhui kwa kuzingatia Nadharia ya Uhalisia wa Kijamii. Matokeo yanaonyesha kuwa umaskini katika Mji wa Matarajio unafanya elimu, ulinzi wa mtoto na msaada wa kihisia kuwa changamoto katika malezi; ugonjwa katika Uteuzi wa Chale unapanua wigo wa malezi kujumuisha afya, mwendelezo wa elimu, ustawi wa kihisia na ukuzaji wa kipaji; huku mafuriko katika Tumaini la Mzeituni yakifanya usalama, uhamaji, elimu na ustahimilivu kuwa sehemu muhimu za malezi. Aidha, sauti ya mtoto na ushirikiano wa familia, rika na taasisi huwezesha malezi kukidhi mahitaji yanayotokana na mazingira yanayobadilika. Utafiti unahitimisha kuwa Matei anawasilisha malezi kama mchakato shirikishi na jumuishi. Utafiti huu ni muhimu kwa sababu unaonyesha namna fasihi ya watoto inavyoweza kuchangia malezi yanayozingatia haki, ustawi na mahitaji yanayobadilika ya mtoto wa karne ya ishirini na moja. Utafiti unapendekeza matumizi ya fasihi ya watoto katika kuhamasisha malezi yanayozingatia haki, ustawi na ujumuishaji.

ENGLISH

This article examines how the upbringing of the twenty-first-century child is represented in three novellas by Assumpta K. Matei: Mji wa Matarajio (2022), Uteuzi wa Chale (2022) and Tumaini la Mzeituni (2025). Although previous studies have examined child upbringing, the representation of children, technology and emerging issues in children’s literature, they have not adequately explained how economic, health, environmental and technological changes transform children’s needs, caregivers’ responsibilities and caregiving relationships in Matei’s novellas. The study employed a qualitative approach, a descriptive-analytical design, close reading and documentary analysis. Data were analysed thematically using Social Realism Theory. The findings show that poverty in Mji wa Matarajio makes education, child protection and emotional support major challenges of upbringing; illness in Uteuzi wa Chale expands upbringing to include health care, educational continuity, emotional well-being and talent development; while floods in Tumaini la Mzeituni make safety, displacement, education and resilience important care-giving responsibilities. In addition, children’s voices and collaboration among families, peers and institutions enable upbringing to respond to changing circumstances. The study concludes that Matei presents child upbringing as a participatory and inclusive process. The study is significant because it demonstrates how children’s literature can contribute to forms of upbringing that recognise the rights, well-being and changing needs of the twenty-first-century child. The study recommends greater use of children’s literature to promote upbringing that recognises children’s rights, well-being and inclusion.

Keywords: Child upbringing, Children’s literature, Emotional well-being, Inclusion, Twenty-First-Century Child