Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the study of family structure and its impact on child well-being, growth, as well as development of delinquency behaviour. However, there is limited reliable literature on what experiences and challenges the different family structures encounter, in dealing with delinquent children in Botswana. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences and challenges the different family structures face, in dealing with delinquent children in Botswana. The study utilised an explorative-descriptive qualitative methodological approach. Semistructured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from five focus group discussions with learners at the Bana Ba Metsi School, individual interviews with staff members, working with learners, as well as individual interviews with families of some learners, making up a research sample of 47 participants for the entire study. The collected data was analysed using a thematic analysis method. The participants reported that their children’s delinquent activities led to mostly negative experiences, such as shame, embarrassment, psychological pain, discrimination, stress and depression. They also reported happiness, due to their children’s behaviour modification, as a result of attending the Bana Ba Metsi School. It is evident from the findings, though, that they encountered challenges, such as the long distance between their homes and the school, the lack of communication with their children, the lack of resources, as well as the lack of family support. However, they disclosed strategies that they employed to deal with the challenges, such as attending support groups, counselling, family discussions and prayer. In conclusion, the results of this study have practical implications for all personnel dealing with such families, including the social welfare departments, as well as schools coping with juveniles.

Darbe atlikta teorinė vaikų ir paauglių delinkventinio elgesio ir socialinių pedagogų veiklos turinio analizė. Iškelta hipotezė, kad bendruomenės nariai turi mažai informacijos apie vaikų delinkventinį elgesį ir socialinių pedagogų veiklos turinio metodus, struktūrą dirbant su delinkventinio elgesio vaikais. Anketinės apklausos būdu atliktas tyrimas, kurio tikslas - ištirti bendruomenės požiūrį į socialinių pedagogų veiklos turinį su delinkventinio elgesio vaikais bendruomenės narių nuomonės aspektu. Nagrinėjant ir analizuojant vaikų ir paauglių delinkventinio elgesio ir socialinių pedagogų veiklos turinį naudota mokslinės literatūros sisteminė, lyginamoji, loginė analizė ir sintezė. Tyrimo duomenys surinkti anketinės apklausos ir interviu metodais. Atliekant tyrimų duomenų analizę, taikyta respondentų nuomonės sisteminė, lyginamoji, loginė analizė ir sintezė, lentelių sudarymo ir grafinio vaizdavimo bei statistiniai metodai. Kiekybiniame tyrime dalyvavo 217 respondentų, mokyklose besimokančių vaikų tėvai ir 4 socialiniai pedagogai, dirbantys mokyklose, buvo apklausti interviu metodu. Svarbiausios empirinių tyrimų išvados: 1. Tyrimo metu vykdytoje apklausoje, nustatyta, kad besimokančių mokinių tėvai žino tik pagrindinius veiksnius lemiančius delinkventinio elgesio paplitimą. Neturi pakankamai informacijos apie šio elgesio reiškimosi motyvus, formas, aplinkybes ir kartais delinkventinis elgesys painiojamas su kriminaliniu, nusikalstamu elgesiu. 2. Apibendrinant galima teigti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This thesis analyses delinquent behaviour of children and teenagers and the content of the activity of social pedagogues. The hypothesis proposed in this thesis is that the members of society have little information about delinquent behaviour of children and content methods of the activity of social pedagogues as well as the structure of their work with delinquent children. A questionnaire has been used, the purpose of which is to analyse community approach to the content of the activity of social pedagogues who work with delinquent children from the perspective of the community members. Analysis of delinquent behaviour of children and teenagers and the content of the activity of social pedagogues includes systemic, comparative and logical analysis and synthesis of scientific literature. The data of research is collected via questionnaires and interviews. When analysing the data, the opinion of respondents is analysed using systemic, comparative and logic analysis and synthesis, conclusion of tables and graphic representation as well as statistical methods. There were 217 participants in the quantitative research, parents of children attending school and 4 social pedagogues, who work in school and were questioned on the interview. The most important conclusions of empirical research: 1. The survey conducted during the research determined that parents of children who attend school know the main factors determining the prevalence of delinquent behaviour. They, however... [to full text]

Tyrimo objektas: paauglių delinkventinio elgesio sąsajos su saviverte ir empatija. Tyrimo tikslas: nustatyti paauglių delinkventinio elgesio, savivertės ir empatijos sąsajas. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti paauglių delinkventinio elgesio ypatumus. 2. Nustatyti paauglių savivertės rodiklius. 3. Ištirti paauglių empatijos rodiklius. 4. Palyginti merginų ir vaikinų delinkventiško elgesio, savivertės, empatijos rodiklius. Hipotezės. 1. Tikėtina, kad kuo didesni delinkventinio elgesio pasireiškimai, tuo mažesnis savivertės bei empatijos lygis. 2. Vaikinų delinkventiško elgesio ir savivertės rodikliai yra aukštesni negu merginų. 3. Merginų empatijos lygis yra didesnis negu vaikinų. Išvados: 1. Nustatyta, kad dažniausiai pasitaikanti delinkventinio elgesio forma yra namų darbų nusirašinėjimas, o rečiausiai - smulkios vagystės, negrįžimas namo per naktį bei patyčios. 2. Gauti rezultatai atskleidė, dauguma mokinių turi aukštą ir šiek tiek mažiau vidutinę savivertę. 3. Remiantis tyrimo duomenimis, galima teigti, jog mergaičių empatijos rodikliai yra aukštesni nei berniukų. 4. Ieškant statistiškai reikšmingų skirtumų tarp lyčių, išsiaiškinta, kad vaikinų delinkventinis elgesys daug stipriau išreikštas negu merginų, Rasti statistiškai reikšmingi muštynių mokykloje, patyčių ir ginklo į mokyklą atsinešimo skirtumai. Atlikus tyrimą, paaiškėjo, kad tiek berniukams, tiek mergaitėms būdingesnis aukštas ir vidutinis savęs vertinimas. Tačiau statistiškai reikšmingas skirtumas tarp... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of work: adolescent‘s delinquent behaviour connection with self – esteem and empathy. Goal: to estimate adolescent‘s delinquent behaviour connection with self – esteem and empathy. Objectives: 1. To establish adolescent‘s delinquent behaviour rates. 2. To establish adolescent‘s self – esteem rates. 3. To establish adolescent‘s empathy rates. 4. To compare boys‘s and girls‘s delinquent behaviour, self – esteem and empathy rates. Hypothesis: 1. The higher level of delinquent behaviour predicted the lower level of empathy and self - esteem. 2. Boys have higher delinquent behaviour and self - esteem rates than girls. 3. Girls empathy‘s level is higher than boys. Conclusions: 5. It was estimated that commonly occured form of delinquent behaviour is homework crib, and rarely – picking and stealing, running away from home and bullying. 6. Data analysis showed that majority of pupils have high and lightly less – middle self esteem. 7. According to research analysis, girl‘s empathy rates are hiher than boys. 8. Searching for statistically significant differences of gender, it was found out that boy‘s delinquent behaviour was more pronounced than girl‘s. There was statistically significant diferrences in fights at school, bullies and taking gun to school. After research, it was revealed that majority of pupils have high or middle self - esteem. However, statistically significant diferrence between boy‘s and girl‘s self esteem was not estimated. Also, it was revealed that... [to full text]

A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND In partial fulfilment for the degree MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY in the Department of Psychology, 1988. / The researcher's aim in this study was to identify and compare the attitudes of adolescents, parents and grandparents towards three adolescent problem variables. The researcher's point of departure was to review relevant literature on the generation gap phenomenon, adolescent premarital sexual relations, delinquent behaviour and the use of alcoholic beverages. A. Likert-type scale was constructed to measure the attitudes of adolescents, parents and grandparents towards adolescent premarital sexual relations) delinquent behaviour and use of alcoholic beverages. Three samples comprising 30 adolescents, 30 parents and 30 grandparents were randomly selected from the seven wards/ sections of the 42 Hill Location, Harrismith. Respondents were from the Zulu, South-Sotho, Tswana .and Xhosa ethnic groups. Illiterate and educated subjects were included in the study. The t-test and Chi-Square (ifi test results highlighted significant differences between the attitudes of adolescents and parents towards premarital sexual relations. The differences between the attitudes of adolescents and those of grandparents towards this variable were also significant:. The attitudes of parents and grandparents towards premarital sexual relations were not significantly different. These findings tended to support previous research studies which stated that parents and grandparents were traditionally more conservative in their attitude towards sexuality than were adolescents. Modern adolescents who lived in a society where sex was discussed more openly seemed to feel that they should engage in premarital sexual relations. It seemed the generation gap between adolescents and parents,and to a greater extent between adolescent and grandparent, had increased. Results indicated insignificant differences between the attitudes of adolescents, parents and grandparents towards adolescent delinquent behaviour. All three generations seemed to agree that modern adolescents acquired much information from their friends. In a modern rapidly changing South African society, traditional authority seemed to have lost most of its impact on the adolescent's bahaviour. Adolescents seemed to believe that parents had failed to change the socio¬political situation hence they had to take the lead. Parents themselves seemed to be puzzled and confused by the rapidly changing, contemporary, technocratic and violently divided society. Significant differences between the adolescent and parent attitudes and between adolescent and grandparent attitudes towards adolescent use of alcoholic beverages were indicated in this study. The insignificant differences between the attitudes of parents and grandparents towards this variable seemed to indicate that parents and grandparents were against adolescent use of alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, adolescents seemed to feel that they should indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages. In the modern South African society, adolescents saw liquor advertised on television and in literature and thus indulged in drinking alcoholic beverages. It was recommended that whatever the desired politico-social change, both parents and adolescents could be made aware that communication and dialogue between them are a sine-qua-non towards the solution and alleviation of their problems. Parents may be motivated to discuss with adolescents their views and feelings about premarital sexual relations and vice versa. The dialogue could be encouraged in public meetings, seminars, on television and radio. Parents could be encouraged to listen to the views of adolescents in order to guide them. Parents may be made to accept the fact that adolescents live during a time and in a society where they may express both their positive and negative opinions regarding certain issues. Community programmes such as therapeutic groups, youth clubs and recreation clubs could provide adolescents with an opportunity of expressing their views, developing their social skills and improving relationships with others. Information concerning problems that are associated with the use of alcoholic beverages could be made available to adolescents during the discussions and advertisements. The aim could be to assist adolescents to cope with problems and to feel happy without indulging in drinking alcoholic beverages.

The purpose of this study is, based on Schlytter's previous finding of gender normative assessments and the critique of the props some other socially degrading behaviour as vague and open to normative interpretations, examine whether gender differences remain in the current assessments from administrative courts and also study any differences in how it is applied with regards to different regions. To do this, we have used a qualitative content analysis of 51 judgments completed during November 2020 from the administrative courts of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and examine how these use the props some other socially destructive behaviour in the assessment of girls and boys in need of compulsory care. The conclusion is that these differences in how behaviour is assessed as problematic or not based on gender, seem to still be prominent in today's courts, but not as prominent. Some behaviours are described differently for girls and boys, whereas girls are described as vulnerable and boys as both vulnerable and as potential perpetrators. The result of the study also shows some regional differences between courts in assessment depending on gender. Overall these findings would need further looking into through additional studies.

PhD (African Studies) / Department of African Studies / Moral degeneration is rampant among the youth across the globe. Juvenile delinquency and diversified social ills are prevalent and manifesting moral degeneration among the youth. This study sought to explore youth moral degeneration at Makuya area in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select twenty-eight research participants comprised of the parents, educators, youth, religious leaders, traditional leaders, social workers and SAPS officials. Data was collected using unstructured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions to gain insights of youth moral degeneration challenges. The narrative analysis method was used to analyse and interpret data. The study found that moral degeneration among the youth at Makuya area is rife and is exemplified by the high rate of teenage pregnancies, teen parenthood, school dropout, alcohol and substance abuse, bullying trends, vandalism and other criminal acts committed by the youth in the Makuya area. The study recommended the use of a multi-pronged comprehensive youth moral regeneration strategy which emphasises the restoration, among the others, humanness, love, discipline, integrity, respect for authority, promotion of accountability and responsibility. / NRF

Although the theory of social disorganisation does emphasise the influences neighbourhood dynamics have on youth, it does not consider if the risk factors of mobility, delinquent friends, ethnicity, and low socioeconomic factors, affect boys and girls in similar ways. The purpose and aim of this study is to contribute with gender-based research to the field of criminology that can be used when developing interventions among juveniles with delinquent behaviour. Delinquent behaviour was in the study delimited to drug use. The study used bivariate analysis, logistic regression and hierarchy regression as the method of analyses. The results showed that there are significant similarities and differences between girls and boys. It was possible to see significant similarities between boys and girls in relation to delinquent friends and drug use. Mobility was an important variable for girls in relation to drug use, but not for boys. Mobility affected girls in the opposite direction of what was expected according to theory of social disorganisation: low amount of mobility increased the risk for drug use significantly among girls.

The aim of diploma thesis "Probation and mediation as a form of work with juvenile offenders" is to elaborate the social pedagogic aspects of probation and mediation activities. It is intended to be a theoretic study and is divided into five chapters. The opening chapter is concerned for causes of delinquent beaviour and offers an enumeration of factors causing the uprise of this kind of behaviour among youth. The second chapter aims at possibilities of juvenile criminality prevention. The third chapter is employed with an institution of Probation and Mediation Services, which plays an important role on the field of terciary prevention of juvenile criminality. Fourth chapter treats with concrete ways of work of probation officers with their clients. Their work is analysed in the last chapter emphasising the social pedagogic potential of probation and mediation activities. It also mentions a possibility of social support in the work of probation officers.