This qualitative case study explores the experiences of adolescent boys and their female teacher in two single sex drama classrooms over a two year period. It has been influenced by sociological and educational frames of knowledge with a specific emphasis on gender studies. Driven by the work of Biddulph (1995), Bly (1990), Pollack (1999), Hawkes (2001), Hartman (1999), Connell (1995,1996) and Kenway (1997), this research is ideologically grounded in theories that investigate the areas of masculinity, boys' education and drama practice. It takes as its pivotal focus the notion that educationally, adolescent boys are facing complex and troubled times and that a reassessment of the way boys are taught in schools is crucial. Additionally, the role and influence of the female teacher in the single sex boys' classroom was significant, providing an essential backdrop for investigating the classroom experiences of the boys. In the area of educational drama, research into adolescent boys and classroom drama is still unfolding.This thesis contributes to knowledge in this area and reveals the important benefits and potential that educational drama holds for empowering young males to explore their own masculine identities and understand their world with clarity and insight. Data collected during this research forms the basis of a narrative journey shared between the reader and the researcher. The research is heavily grounded in the ethnographic tradition of 'telling stories' from the field - stories which reveal the authentic lived experiences of the participants. Part of the greater story told here includes that of the researcher and documents some of the more notable challenges and highlights of working in the field over an extended time frame. Specifically, the research addresses the following questions: What benefits do adolescent boys perceive they gain from doing drama? How do adolescent boys communicate with each other in the drama classroom? How do adolescent boys approach drama work in their classroom? How do they perceive their own experiences and relationships in a single-sex drama classroom? What role does their female teacher play in their experiences in the drama classroom? The research revealed a number of important considerations for the fields ofsociology, gender studies and education. Amongst some of the major findings was the potential of drama to break down stereotypical notions associated with masculinity and boys' abilities to excel in area such as the Arts. The enjoyment and fulfillment that the boys felt they gained from participating in drama resulted in a heathlier classroom environment characterised by a greater tolerance and understanding of each boy's individual masculinity. It was also revealed that the presence of a female drama teacher was considered an advantage, granting the boys access to a field of knowledge and feeling that was different to their 'male ways of knowing.' Additionally, for the field of drama, the research revealed that the value of solid planning, a defined understanding of contemporary drama practice and implementing learning experiences carefully and thoughtfully grounded in the lives of the students, cannot be underestimated as essential components of effective drama teaching.

The study was carried out at the Mogale Child and Youth Care Centre (MCYCC) a privately run institution by Bosasa Operations in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Departments of Social Development and Health and Social Welfare Department. The facility caters for boys in conflict with law aged 14–18 years, who have been legally placed in the facility as a place of safety by court order. It is expected that the findings and recommendations from this study will be useful in improving the food service standards for such institutions. At the time of this study there were 200 adolescents, 137 were awaiting trial, 55 on the diversion programmes and 8 were serving court sentence at the centre. The cross sectional study evaluated the food service offered at the MCYCC to establish the nutritional adequacy of the food served. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to collect and analyse data. Out of the 200, 144 answered the customer satisfaction questionnaire and 167 took the BMI test. Observations were done in the kitchen to determine the compliance level to the food and safety regulations. The analytical results of the responses from the self-administered questionnaire on the customer service satisfaction generated by the SAS software revealed reliable results. The probability, (p-value) from the Chi-square (χ2) test showed that there was a significant difference in response the parameters tested including the overall satisfaction. Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations established different anthropometric patterns of which 1.3% adolescents were found to be obese, 28.2% were overweight, 57% had normal weight while 13.5% were found to be underweight. The Foodfinder 3 software used to evaluate the nutrient composition in a 2-week cycle menu revealed that in most cases both the macronutrients and micronutrients in the menus exceeded the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the adolescent boys. Food safety and hygiene standards results showed that the unit is compliant with the required standards as it scored 86%; it was colour coded Silver and rated as very good. All the parameters evaluated scored above average percentage rating the customer satisfaction level for the services offered at the MCYCC are as good. Both underweight and overweight adolescents exist among the adolescents at the centre. The weights from the sample food plates exceeded the RDA of the adolescent boys. The centre’s compliance to health and safety regulations was rated as very good. The authorities in the Gauteng Provincial Departments of Social Development and Health and Social Welfare and Bosasa operation management should make use of this evident information to further improve the food service standards for other such institutions. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2015 / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / MSc / Unrestricted

The study was conducted throughout November 2021 in the township of Langa, in the Western Province of Cape Town, South Africa. The purpose of the study is to explore the menstrual health literacy of adolescent boys through collecting data capturing knowledge, experiences and attitudes. The ambition is to locate the findings within the Human Rights Framework, and explore how they may have implications for the ability of girls to realise their right to education. 32 learners between the ages of 13 and 17 years participated in focus group interviews and 8 informant interviews were held. The findings illustrate that adolescent boys have inadequate knowledge about menstrual health, and how their menstrual literacy is shaped by observations from girls in school, and puzzling together informal pieces of knowledge and  experiences. The potential implications this illiteracy may have for girls are practical and social, where the lack of infrastructures responsive to distinctive needs of female learners deprives the right to education. At the same time, the educational context in South Africa is characterised by inequality and learners from the low-income settings are behind the national curricula, making it unreasonable to expect menstrual literacy being prioritised, given its stigmatised connotations. It concludes highlighting how menstrual literacy matters for altering the patterns of unequal development, and for recognising distinctive realities lived by adolescent boys and girls throughout the world.

The health of adolescent boys is complex and surprisingly little is known about how adolescent boys perceive, conceptualise and experience their health. Thus, the overall aim of this thesis was to explore adolescent boys’ perceptions and experiences of health, emotions, masculinity and subjective social status (SSS). This thesis consists of a qualitative, a quantitative and a mixed methods study. The qualitative study aimed to explore how adolescent boys understand the concept of health and what they find important for its achievement. Furthermore, the adolescent boys’ views of masculinity, emotion management and their potential effects on wellbeing were explored. For this purpose, individual interviews were conducted with 33 adolescent boys aged 16-17 years. The quantitative study aimed to investigate the associations between pride, shame and health in adolescence. Data were collected through a cross-sectional postal survey with 705 adolescents. The purpose of the mixed methods study was to investigate associations between SSS in school, socioeconomic status (SES) and self-rated health (SRH), and to explore the concept of SSS in school. Cross-sectional data were combined with interview data in which the meaning of SSS was further explored. Individual interviews with 35 adolescents aged 17-18 years were conducted. In the qualitative study, data were analysed using Grounded Theory. In the quantitative study, statistical analyses (e.g., chi-square test and uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses) were performed. In the mixed method study, a combination of statistical analyses and thematic network analysis was applied. The results showed that there was a complexity in how the adolescent boys viewed, experienced, dealt with and valued health. On a conceptual level, they perceived health as holistic but when dealing with difficult emotions, they were prone to separate the body from the mind. Thus, the adolescent boys experienced a difference between health as a concept and health as an experience (paper I). Concerning emotional orientation in masculinity, two main categories of masculine conceptions were identified: a gender-normative masculinity and a non-gender-normative masculinity (paper II). Gender-normative masculinity comprised two seemingly opposite emotional masculinity orientations, one towards toughness and the other towards sensitivity, both of which were highly influenced by contextual and situational group norms and demands, despite that their expressions are in contrast to each other. Non-gender-normative masculinity included an orientation towards sincerity, emphasising the personal values of the boys. Emotions were expressed more independently of peer group norms. The findings suggest that different masculinities and the expression of emotions are intricately intertwined and that managing emotions is vital for wellbeing. The present findings also showed that both shame and pride were significantly associated with SRH, and furthermore, that there seems to be a protective effect of experiencing pride for health (paper III). The results also demonstrated that SSS is strongly related to SRH, and high SRH is related to high SSS, and further that the positioning was done in a gendered space (paper IV). Results from all studies suggest that the emotional and relational aspects, as well as perceived SSS, were strongly related to SRH. Positive emotions, trustful relationships and having a sense of belonging were important factors for health and pride was an important emotion protecting health. Physical health, on the other hand, had a more subordinated value, but the body was experienced as an important tool to achieve health. Even though health was mainly perceived in a holistic manner by the boys, there were boys who were prone to dichotomise the health experience into a mind-body dualism when having to deal with difficult emotions. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that young, masculine health is largely experienced through emotions and relationships between individuals and their contexts affected by gendered practices. Health is to feel and function well in mind and body and to have trusting relationships. The results support theories on health as a social construction of interconnected processes. Having confidence in self-esteem, access to trustful relationships and the courage to resist traditional masculine norms while still reinforcing and maintaining social status are all conducive to good health. Researchers as well as professionals need to consider the complexity of adolescent boys’ health in which norms, values, relationships and gender form its social determinants. Those working with young boys should encourage them to integrate physical, social and emotional aspects of health into an interconnected and holistic experience. / Tonårspojkars hälsa är komplex och det finns förvånansvärt lite forskning gällande hur tonårspojkar uppfattar, konceptualiserar och upplever hälsa. Därför var det övergripande syftet med denna avhandling att undersöka tonårspojkars uppfattningar och upplevelser av hälsa, emotioner, maskuliniteter och subjektiv social status. Denna avhandling består av tre delstudier: en kvalitativ, en kvantitativ och en mixed metod studie. Den kvalitativa studien syftade till att undersöka hur tonårspojkar uppfattar begreppet hälsa och vad de tyckte var viktigt för att uppnå hälsa, samt deras syn på manlighet, känslohantering och potentiell påverkan på deras välbefinnande. För detta ändamål genomfördes individuella intervjuer med 33 unga pojkar i åldern 16-17 år. Den kvantitativa studien syftade till att undersöka sambandet mellan stolthet, skam och hälsa i tonåren, och data samlades in genom en postenkät där 705 ungdomar deltog. Syftet med mixed metod-studien var att undersöka sambanden mellan subjektiv social status (SSS) i skolan, socioekonomisk status (SES) och självskattad hälsa (SRH) samt att undersöka innebörden av begreppet subjektiv social status. Data från en enkät kombinerades med intervjudata av 35 ungdomar i åldern 17-18 år. I den kvalitativa studien analyserades data med hjälp av Grounded Theory metoden. I den kvantitativa studien användes statistiska analysersåsomchi-två-test samt uni- och multivariabel logistisk regressionsanalys. I mixedmetod-studien användes en kombination av statistiskaanalyser ochtematisknätverksanalys. Resultaten visade att det fanns en komplexitet i hur unga pojkar uppfattade, upplevde, hanterade och värderade hälsa. På en teoretisk nivå uppfattade de hälsa som holistisk men när det handlade om att hantera svåra känslor, var de benägna att separera kroppen från sinnet. Således upplevde de en skillnad mellan hälsa som begrepp och hälsa som upplevelse (I). Gällande den känslomässiga maskulina orienteringen, identifierades två huvudkategorier av maskulina föreställningar: könsnormativ och icke-könsnormativ maskulinitet (II). Könsnormativ maskulinitet bestod av två till synes motsatta maskulinitetsorienteringar, en mot tuffhet och den andra mot känslighet, som båda var starkt påverkad av kontextuella och situationella gruppnormer och krav, trots att deras uttryck kontrasterade varandra. Icke-könsnormativ maskulinitet inkluderade en inriktning mot uppriktighet som betonade de personliga värdena för pojkar; känslor kunde uttryckas mer oberoende av kamratgruppens normer. Resultaten tyder på att olika maskuliniteter och känslouttryck är starkt sammanflätade och att känslohantering är avgörande för välbefinnandet. Resultat visade också att upplevelser av skam och stolthet var signifikant associerade med självskattad hälsa, och att stolthet verkar ha en skyddande effekt för hälsa (III). Vidare visade resultaten att det finns ett starkt samband mellan subjektiv social status och självskattad hälsa och att mycket god självskattad hälsa är relaterad till hög subjektiv social status. Positioneringarna gjordes i en starkt genuskodad skolmiljö (IV). Resultat från allastudier visarattde känslomässiga ochrelationellaaspekternavaravgörandeförhälsa, liksomden subjektivt upplevda statussomvar starktrelaterad tillsjälvskattad hälsa. Positivakänslor och tillitsfulla relationer, och att känna tillhörighet och stolthet varviktiga faktorerförhälsa. Fysiskhälsa å andra sidan hadeettmerunderordnat värde menkroppen var ettviktigt verktyg för attuppnåhälsa. Även omhälsauppfattadespå ett holistiskt sätt av de flesta pojkarna, fanns det pojkar som varbenägna att dela upp hälsoupplevelsen i kropp och sinne när det gällde att hantera svåra känslor. Sammanfattningsvis visar denna avhandlingatt den unga, manligahälsantill stor delupplevs genomkänsloroch relationermellanindivider och derassammanhang som är starkt genuskodade. Resultaten stöderteorier omhälsasomensocial konstruktionav sammankopplade processer. Hälsa är att må och fungera bra i kropp och sinne och ha tillgång till tillitsfulla relationer. Att ha självkänsla, tillgång till förtroendefulla relationer och att våga stå emot traditionella maskulinitetsnormer utan att tappa status bidrar positivt till hälsa. Forskare samt yrkesverksamma måste ta hänsyn till komplexiteten i unga pojkars hälsa, där normer, värderingar, relationer och genus utgör dess sociala bestämningsfaktorer. De som arbetar med unga pojkar bör uppmuntra dem att integrera fysiska, sociala och känslomässiga aspekter av hälsa till en sammanlänkad helhetsupplevelse.

4 Abstract The topic of this thesis is the strategy of coping with stressful situations in a population of individuals with behavioral disorders. The starting point of the thesis lies in the assumption that adolescents with behavioral disorders show greater difficulties in coping with stressful situations and react differently from their peers that have no behavioral disorders. The target group of respondents is represented by clients of juvenile correctional institutions, specifically boys between 15 and 19 years of age. Their answers are compared with a comparison group of students from secondary schools that have no behavioral disorders. The strategies of coping with stress are examined through the use of two methods, a questionnaire "Strategie zvládání stresu SVF 78" and the semiprojective Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Test. The results indicate that the group of adolescent boys placed in juvenile correctional institutions, shows the tendency to resign more frequently and the effort to gain control over stressful situations less often. Contrary to expectations, the predicted search for alternative activities to escape from stressful situations was not confirmed. Furthemore, neither the tendency for a behavior-oriented self defence nor ones` aggresive actions directed at the surroundings occured....

Inledning: Psykisk ohälsa är ett växande samhällsproblem, där pojkar är överrepresentativa i självmordsstatistiken. Maskulinitetsnormer kan ha negativa konsekvenser för pojkars sätt att uttrycka psykisk ohälsa. Forskning påvisar att pojkar enbart söker hjälp om deras problem är så pass varaktiga och desperata att de inte ser någon annan utväg. Syfte: Undersöka hur maskulinitet och könsnormer hindrar pojkar (10–25 år) från att söka hjälp för psykisk ohälsa. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie, baserad på 10 vetenskapliga originalartiklar med kvalitativ metod (fokusgrupper och individuella intervjuer). Datainsamling har skett via CINAHL, Academic Search Elite och WorldCat Discovery. Resultatet har analyserats med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Resultatet tyder på att maskulinitetsnormer i hög utsträckning begränsar pojkar från att söka hjälp för psykisk ohälsa. Faktorer som var avgörande var stigmatisering, rädsla för konfrontation och hantera känslomässiga svårigheter. Det framkom kunskapsbrist kring psykisk ohälsa och tröskeln för att söka hjälp var hög. Pojkar undviker i hög utsträckning psykiska problem genom olika externa strategier. Slutsats: Maskulinitetsnormer har negativ inverkan på pojkars psykiska ohälsa och är ett hinder till att pojkar inte söker hjälp. Även strukturella faktorer framkom som ett hinder. Maskulinitetsnormer är påtagliga och påverkar pojkars syn på sin egen och andras psykiska ohälsa. Förståelse för hur pojkar uttrycker och upplever psykisk ohälsa och vilka begränsningar för att söka hjälp är viktiga att förstå för att uppnå en jämlik vårdkedja. Metoder kring normbrytande strategier bör prioriteras, samt involvera pojkar i förändrings- och utvecklingsarbetet. Forskning bör även fokusera på att fördjupa kunskaper inom aktuell kontext för att kunna generalisera resultaten. / Introduction: Mental illness is a growing problem, where boys are overrepresented in the suicide statistics. Masculinity norms can have negative consequences for boys' way of expressing mental illness. Research suggests that boys only seek help if their problems are so long lasting and desperate that they don’t see any other way out. Purpose: To investigate how masculinity and gender norms prevent boys (age 10–25) from seeking help for mental illness. Method: A systematic literature review, based on 10 scientific original articles with qualitative method (focus groups and individual interviews). Datacollection took place in CINAHL, Academic Search Elite and WorldCat Discovery. The result has been analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Result: The result suggests that masculinity norms restrict boys from seeking help for mental illness. Factors that were decisive were stigmatization, fear of confrontation, and dealing with emotional difficulties. There was a lack of knowledge about mental illness and the threshold for seeking help was high. Boys avoid psychological problems through different external strategies. Conclusion: Masculinity norms have a negative impact on boys' mental illness and are an obstacle to boys not seeking help. Even structural factors emerged as an obstacle. Masculinity norms are tangible and affect boys' view of their own and others mental illness. Understanding how boys express and experience mental illness and limitations to seeking help are important to understand in order to achieve an equal healthcare. Methods regarding norm breaking strategies should be prioritized, as well as involving boys in the change and development. Research should also focus on deepening knowledge within the current context in order to be able to generalize the results.

The diploma thesis focuses on fixed-odds betting among male adolescents. In theoretical part, game as a whole life matter is explained, afterwards it aims closer to hazard game, especially fixed-odds betting. Regarding to children, multiple smaller studies, focused on risky behaviour on the internet and gambling, are introduced. Empirical part combines qualitative and quantitative approach. Interviews with betters jointly with the theory creates the base for hypothesises and questionnaire, which was distributed in five schools; three elementary and two high schools. Results of the empirical part are suggesting that adolescent boys have experiences with fixed-odds betting even though they are not of age. Frequently, the reason for betting is being involved in sport and the favourite form is on-line betting.

South African adolescents are more likely to participate in high-risk behaviours, because they are exposed to high-risk environments that have a negative impact on them. The choices that adolescents make during this explorative life stage will influence and determine certain outcomes of their adult lives. Therefore, it is crucial to improve adolescents’ psychological well-being, as they are the future generation adults. Adolescents with behaviour problems form a unique population who do not respond effectively to traditional therapy, and researchers are continuously searching for more effective ways to reach this population. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is an intervention that has been proven to be effective with this population and to provide better outcomes than traditional psychotherapy. Although the value and positive effects of EAT has been proven, there is a gap in the literature concerning research on this topic, especially with regard to research conducted by means of quantitative methods. The overarching goal of this study was to evaluate and refine an EAT programme aimed at improving the psychological well-being of boys in a school of industry. This goal was attained by utilising a quantitative, experimental research design. The Solomon four-group design was applied, because it effectively controls pre-test sensitisation and provides the best control against threats to internal validity. The sample was selected from a school of industry near Bloemfontein, which provides residence to a group of adolescent boys who display behaviour problems. The 40 boys (N = 40) included in the sample were divided into two experimental groups of 10 boys each and two control groups of 10 boys each. During the course of the study, one of the boys withdrew and the sample was reduced to 39 boys. The programme was administered to the boys in the experimental groups. Before the programme commenced, one of the experimental groups and one of the control groups completed the pre-test. The psychometric instruments used were a biographical questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire. The boys then completed the EAT programme which consisted of eight sessions, each with its own outcomes and designed to improve subjective well-being and coping. After completion of the programme, all four groups completed the post-test consisting of the same psychometric instruments as the pre-test. The results showed that the programme significantly improved the boys’ subjective well-being. The boys’ problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping and dysfunctional coping were also increased significantly. These improvements can be attributed directly to the programme, because pre-test sensitisation was controlled. The study found that the EAT programme had a significant positive effect on the boys’ subjective well-being and coping. The conclusion can be drawn that the programme significantly improved the boys’ psychological well-being. The programme was evaluated and refined, and recommendations were made for its future use. / PhD (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South African adolescents are more likely to participate in high-risk behaviours, because they are exposed to high-risk environments that have a negative impact on them. The choices that adolescents make during this explorative life stage will influence and determine certain outcomes of their adult lives. Therefore, it is crucial to improve adolescents’ psychological well-being, as they are the future generation adults. Adolescents with behaviour problems form a unique population who do not respond effectively to traditional therapy, and researchers are continuously searching for more effective ways to reach this population. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is an intervention that has been proven to be effective with this population and to provide better outcomes than traditional psychotherapy. Although the value and positive effects of EAT has been proven, there is a gap in the literature concerning research on this topic, especially with regard to research conducted by means of quantitative methods. The overarching goal of this study was to evaluate and refine an EAT programme aimed at improving the psychological well-being of boys in a school of industry. This goal was attained by utilising a quantitative, experimental research design. The Solomon four-group design was applied, because it effectively controls pre-test sensitisation and provides the best control against threats to internal validity. The sample was selected from a school of industry near Bloemfontein, which provides residence to a group of adolescent boys who display behaviour problems. The 40 boys (N = 40) included in the sample were divided into two experimental groups of 10 boys each and two control groups of 10 boys each. During the course of the study, one of the boys withdrew and the sample was reduced to 39 boys. The programme was administered to the boys in the experimental groups. Before the programme commenced, one of the experimental groups and one of the control groups completed the pre-test. The psychometric instruments used were a biographical questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire. The boys then completed the EAT programme which consisted of eight sessions, each with its own outcomes and designed to improve subjective well-being and coping. After completion of the programme, all four groups completed the post-test consisting of the same psychometric instruments as the pre-test. The results showed that the programme significantly improved the boys’ subjective well-being. The boys’ problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping and dysfunctional coping were also increased significantly. These improvements can be attributed directly to the programme, because pre-test sensitisation was controlled. The study found that the EAT programme had a significant positive effect on the boys’ subjective well-being and coping. The conclusion can be drawn that the programme significantly improved the boys’ psychological well-being. The programme was evaluated and refined, and recommendations were made for its future use. / PhD (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The phenomenon of absent fathers continues to be one of the major social problems which affect families globally. This study has examined the experiences of adolescent boys who grow up without fathers in single-mother families in Bakenberg village in Limpopo Province. The objectives of this study were to establish the experiences of adolescent boys with absent fathers, to describe the challenges faced by adolescent boys in growing up without a father and to determine their understanding of the role and value of having a father. A qualitative approach was used for this study. This approach was complemented by the use of a descriptive phenomenological research design for its focus on lived human experiences and the meanings participants assigned to those experiences. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 18 adolescent boys through face-to-face interviews and as well as focus group discussions. The data collected was analysed using the thematic analysis method. The findings of this study showed that participants regarded fathers as an important figure in their lives and their families and his absence brought about financial challenges, poor academic progress, indulgence in alcohol and smoking brought about by negative outside influences as well as lack of immediate gender role model. The study also revealed that in the absence of fathers, these boys end up being compelled to play the role of the man in their families. For the participants in this study, other male figures such as uncles and grandfathers played a vital role in as far as gender specific roles and identity development is concerned. The study encourages more research into issues that impact negatively the children in one-parent families. The study also draws attention to the necessity to discover the reasons for the disintegration of the family structure, thereby highlighting a serious national and global problem which needs to be addressed for the health and well-being of our people because families form the foundation of a country‟s citizenry.