The study investigates youth perceptions of their relationships with adults in Ugu North a rural area in Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal. A review of literature revealed that limited research has been done in South Africa and other countries on the nature of relationships that exist between youth and adults in rural areas. From the available literature and the study it became clear that there is no comfortable relationship between youth and adults in Ugu North rural area. Research was conducted at a school and the participants were the learners. The researcher used availability sampling and systematic random sample to select participants. The researcher used two methods of data collection - focus group discussions and questionnaires for individual completion. The study revealed that there is no comfortable relationship between youth and adults in rural areas. By adults the research is referring to parents, teachers, possible caregivers and community members. Conclusions are drawn from the study and recommendations are made on how relationships between youth and adults in rural areas can be improved. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

This study sought to investigate the relationship between perceived parental monitoring and adolescents' engagement in risky behaviour, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. A total of 705 adolescents from both township and suburban schools in and around the city of Pietermaritzburg were involved in this study. Data collection took place during April and May of2002. Among the questions the study aimed to answer was whether there would be gender and school grade or age differences with regards to perceived parental monitoring, what the relationship would be between age, gender, perceived parental monitoring, level of religiosity, family structure, family conflict and attitudes towards condom use and, lastly, what the main predictors of engagement in risky behaviour would be. A survey which measured amongst other things, perceived parental monitoring, attitudes towards condom use, level of religiosity and the type of risky behaviours the adolescent might be involved in, was administered to the participants. Results showed perceived parental monitoring to be inversely correlated with involvement in risky behaviours and that, girls and the younger youth, were more monitored than boys and the older youth. Gender, level of religiosity, attitudes towards condom use, and age were identified by regression analysis as the four main predictors of engagement in risky behaviour. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term relationship between perceived parental monitoring and engagement in risky behaviour. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003. / National Research Foundation.