It is evident in the present times in Kenyan society moral decadence among the youth is fast becoming the norm and sadly pointing to waning of the highly desired moral values. The patterns of behavior among the youth reveal morality level is at an all-time low; long regarded as a consequent factor of modernization. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the effect of modernization on moral values taught to young people in Karũri Catholic Parish. To achieve this, the study engages qualitative research and employs questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and review of prior literature to gather the relevant data. A sample of 115 respondents were selected comprising two elders, three priests and two family experts selected purposively and 40 mothers, 36 fathers and 34 youths selected using the snow balling sampling method. The findings confirm that modernization, through mediums such as social media and urbanization have provided new opportunities and structures which negatively influence the inculcating of moral values into young people, and as such society has lost most of its rich cultural ideals which characterized the Agĩkũyũ youth in the past. Despite most youth generally appreciating the importance values have in their lives, a number hold the notion some moral values which in earlier periods gave meaning to human life are less important. The study establishes an urgent need to fill the gap created by the changed structures of inculcating values for the purpose of healing the shaky family foundation aggravated by youths' failure to fully understand the principles of being morally right and calls for the work of redeeming the lost youth to intensify.

Children need to grow in an open and friendly environment where they know what to expect and what is expected of them for a positive parenting outcome. The right environment provides a sense of security and comfort to the child. Research is rife with evidence that the environment in which children are brought up today has transformed as society and family continue to adjust to social and economic changes, but none has delved deeper into that of the contemporary Agĩkũyũ community living in Karũrĩ Catholic Parish. Our study therefore examines the parenting environment within the Agĩkũyũ community responsible in bringing up morally upright individuals. This is done with the aim of proffering strategic choices for recovery of some of its application towards holistic parenting today. The descriptive survey research design is engaged and data collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation techniques. The study finds the environment in which children were brought up in the older Agĩkũyũ society to have changed significantly resulting in deprived parenting. Today personal goals prevail over those of the community. Family and community relationships have also changed and a new culture is taking place among the youth. It is recommended that parents reach out to extended family and community members and involve them in parenting of children. This will expose the children to new thinking, experiences, shared values, and allow important social bonds to develop. Overall, a new parenting approach is necessary in view of the changed parenting environment and new culture.