Bibliography: leaves 113-117.

The intent of this study was to observe four at-risk adolescent females participating in a community youth choir. Their self-concept and behavior were monitored for sixteen weeks to see if this music experience had any impact on them.The four girls were institutionalized at a treatment facility for troubled juveniles and wards of the state of Indiana.The girls participated in the White River Youth Choir.Qualitative data were gathered via rehearsal observations, weekly cottage dinner visits, journal entries, formal and informal dialogues. telephone calls, written correspondence. and miscellaneous materials.Two standardized inventories were used as supplementary data.The Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 (CBCL/4-18) was filled out by a counselor. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: Second Edition (TSCS: 2) was completed by the girls.Data management and analysis were aided by QRS NUD*IST software (Non-Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing. Searching, and Theory-Building).The naturalistic inquiry technique of triangulation was emphasized when discovering patterns among various interrelationships.Emerging themes were:music plays a role in these girls lives, a three versus one division separates the girls, the girls segregate themselves from others, a community choir may not be the panacea, and indications that the girls have been or are at-risk sexually.Behavior and self-concept changes occurred but could not be attributed specifically to choir involvement.Findings of the study suggest that uncontrolled factors (i.e. staff turnover. communication problems, absenteeism, and anti-social behavior) must be addressed before at-risk teenage girls could successfully assimilate themselves into a community youth choir.An on-campus music experience is recommended for institutionalized female adolescents. Organizing a music ensemble having support of institutional staff, emphasizing short-term commitment, using a staff member as director, allowing ownership by using familiar music as well as letting the girls have a say in its choice. providing reasonable challenges. and giving girls individualized attention is suggested. / School of Music

Accompanying materials housed with archival copy. / The purpose of this research was to describe and critically interpret girls' experiences with respect to body image, physical activity and health. The qualitative inquiry included focus group and individual interviews, document analysis and field observations. These methods were used to explore the perceptions of sixty-three girls (grades eight and eleven) and staff from an inner-city high school. Through interpretive data analysis (and constant comparison), the inter-related themes of body image, physical activity and health branched into the sub-themes of societal influences and personal attitudes including: friends, boys, family, school and media. Girls' body images ranged from minor preoccupations to major dissatisfaction with their bodies, while a few girls were happy being themselves. Weak or negative family influences gave way to influences by media, boys and friends. A few girls were very active, whereas others' low levels of participation were attributed to: disinterest in physical activity, intimidation by boys, or perceived lack of opportunity. The girls' perceptions of health incorporated fitness, weight, and eating habits. Girls often used negative qualifiers when describing their weight or body shape. Generally, girls perceived overweight individuals as not taking care of themselves. This research supports the development of gender sensitive physical education programs promoting healthier lifestyles for females.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-98).

Thesis, PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-98). Also available in print.

Although previous research has been done on adolescents with learning difficulties or barriers to learning such as dyslexia and ADHD, no research has been done in South Africa on their self-perceptions of these difficulties. A phenomenological study was conducted through means of semi-structured, individual, face-to-face interviews. Self-perceptions that adolescents with dyslexia and ADHD form were explored. Selfperceptions are formed through comparisons with other learners and friends. Self-perceptions were left as an open-term in order to investigate the adolescents' own idiosyncratic interpretations of dyslexia and ADHD. From the interviews themes could be identified concerning their understanding of dyslexia and ADHD, feelings and cognitions associated with dyslexia and ADHD, the importance that significant others such as educators, parents and friends play, as well as the adolescents' way of coping with dyslexia and ADHD. Selfperceptions were both negative and positive and found to be influenced by factors such as age, type of support systems and sufficient coping strategies. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling)

M.A. / The young offender's criminal behaviour exerts enormous damage to the social and economical aspects of the country. Exploring the identity construction of young offenders, the decisions and choices they make in breaking into strangers' houses, stealing and hijacking other people's cars, is the focus of this study. Attention will also be focused on exploring how the criminal "career" affects and is affected by their identity construction. It is also the purpose of this study to explore what could be attracting the young offender to embark on a criminal expedition, in spite of the consequences of such activities, which appear to be uninviting and uncomfortable. The study comes about as a result of the misery and 6 trauma experienced by victims of the young offender's criminal activities (Clifford, 1974). People spend a lot of money improving the security systems in their properties with the purpose of barring the offenders from entering their premises, or taking the cars away from them. This, however, does not seem to work most of the time as it has in some cases contributed to the offenders also improving their skills on how to commit crime. There is increased surveillance in department stores, insurance premiums are high and there is an increase in the cost of goods and services. It seems that as crime escalates, more young people are sent to prison. Society also feels that prison is the best option for the young offender. Others would like the death sentence to be imposed to deal with the crime problem. At the moment, prisons are overcrowded with young people, who will be released in a few years' time. The question is whether, at the time of their release will they be able to be reintegrated back to society. What kind of people are we expecting them to be when they become adults? What role will they play in the functioning of the community? Probably the community needs to be informed about what happens in prison, for there is a general assumption that prison is a rehabilitative institution. It is seen as a place where we get rid of troublemakers, who on their release have become good citizens with a brighter future. People perceive a prison as a place that rehabilitates offenders and helps reintegrate them back into society. Whether the prison pursues and achieves this purpose needs to be seen. However, the high rate of recidivism leaves much to be desired. Cronje'et al. (1976) in their study found that a large number of young offenders became recidivists or recidivism can be traced back to juvenile offences

M.Ed. (Multiculturality and Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This study examines the literature on identifying alternative methods of coming to a deeper understanding of one's physical, mental, and spiritual self. It provides information on one particular alternative program, and presents lesson ideas and options that demonstrate how an art-based emphasis in elective coursework can allow for the next step in each student's journey of personal growth and development.