Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goals of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence in a random sample ru=203) of adolescents (14-20 years) from a disadvantaged, relative low socio-economic coloured community, (2) the prevalence ratio of the number of participants who were only witnesses (witnesses) versus the number who were victims (of which some might occasionally also have been witnesses) of non-sexual interpersonal violence, (3) the relationship between certain socio-demographic variables and exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence in order to identify potential risk factors, and (4) to determine whether victims differed significantly from witnesses with regard to the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSDS) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) that do not meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. The sample consisted of Afrikaans-speaking coloured boys (!!=101) and girls (!!=102) between the ages of 14 and 20 years predominantly from low-income families who lived in municipal sub-economic housing, and who attended two high schools in Macassar. The measuring instruments comprised a customised socio-demograhpic questionnaire, the Child Exposure to Community Violence Scale which measures exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence as witnesses and victims and the Child and Adolescent PTSD Checklist to assess the incidence ofPTSDS and PTSS. In order to identify potential risk factors for exposure to violence, the relationship between , exposure to violence and the socio-demographic variables of age, gender and presence/absence of a parent as primary caretaker was investigated. It was found that all participants were exposed to non-sexual interpersonal violence as either witnesses (37.9%) or victims (62.1 %). In contrast to findings of other studies, the majority of participants were victims themselves and not only witnesses. Older adolescents (17-20 years) were, in comparison with younger ones (14-16 years), significantly more exposed to non-sexual interpersonal violence as both witnesses and as victims. Older adolescents were thus more at risk for exposure to interpersonal violence. No statistically significant relationship was found between exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence, either as witness or as victim, and the variables of gender and presence or absence of a parent as a pnmary caregiver. The incidence of reported PTSDS and PTSS, which was significantly related to exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence, was relatively high. Thirty adolescents (15%) met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, 131 (65%) presented with one or more prominent PTSDS and a further 186 (90%) reported PTSS. Victims reported significantly more PTSS than witnesses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstellings van hierdie studie was om (1) die voorkoms van blootstelling aan nieseksuele interpersoonlike geweld by 'n ewekansige steekproef Ct:l:=203) adolessente (14 tot 20 jaar oud) van twee plaaslike hoërskole in 'n benadeelde, relatief lae sosio-ekonomiese Kleurlinggemeenskap te bepaal, (2) die voorkomsratio van die aantal deelnemers wat slegs waarnemers was (waarnemers) versus die aantal wat slagoffers was (van wie sommige per geleentheid ook waarnemers kon gewees het) van nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld te bepaal, (3) die verband tussen sekere sosio-demografiese veranderlikes en blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld te bepaal ten einde potensiële risiko-faktore te identifiseer, en (4) om vas te stelof waarnemers beduidend van slagoffers verskil het ten opsigte van die voorkoms van post-traumatiese-stresversteuring-simptome (PTSVS) en post-traumatiese-stres-simptome (PTSS) wat nie voldoen aan die kriteria van posttraumatiese- stresversteuring nie. Die steekproef het bestaan uit Afrikaanssprekende kleurlingseuns (n= 101) en -dogters (n=102) tussen 14 en 20 jaar oud uit oorwegend lae-inkomste gesinne in sub-ekonomiese munisipale behuising en wat leerders was aan twee hoërskole in Macassar. Die meetinstrumente het 'n doelmatige sosio-demografiese vraelys, die Child Exposure to Community Violence Scale om blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld as waarnemers en as slagoffers te meet, en die Child Adolescent PTSD Checklist om die voorkoms van PTSVS en PTSS te bepaal, ingesluit. Ten einde potensiële risiko-faktore vir blootstelling aan geweld te identifiseer, is die verband tussen blootstelling aan geweld en die sosio-demografiese veranderlikes van ouderdom, geslag en die teenwoordigheid/afwesigheid van 'n ouer as pimêre versorger ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat al die deelnemers, hetsy as waarnemers (37.9%) of slagoffers (62.1 %), aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld blootgestel was. In teenstelling met die bevindings van ander studies was die meerderheid van die deelnemers self slagoffers van geweld en nie net waarnemers daarvan nie. Ouer adolessente (17-20 jaar) was, in vergelyking met jongeres (14 tot 16 jaar), beduidend meer aan interpersoonlike geweld, beide as waarnemers en as slagoffers, blootgestel. Ouer adolessente was dus 'n hoër risikogroep vir blootstelling aan interpersoonlike geweld. Geen statisties beduidende verband is tussen die veranderlikes van geslag en die teenwoordigheid van 'n ouer as primêre versorger en blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld as óf slegs waarnemer óf slagoffer gevind nie. Die voorkoms van gerapporteerde PTSVS en PTSS, wat 'n beduidende verband met blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld getoon het, was relatief hoog. Dertig adolessente (15%) het voldoen aan die diagnostiese kriteria van post-traumatiese stresversteuring, 131 (65%) het met een of meer prominente PTSVS gepresenteer en 'n verdere 186 (90%) het PTSS gerapporteer. Slagoffers het beduidend meer PTSVS en PTSS as waarnemers gerapporteer.

A research report submitted to the University of Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Arts (Coursework and Research Report) University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / This research investigated how sex and sexuality is being represented within Sexual Health Education (SHE), as reported by students who completed matric in 2014. Furthermore, this study wanted to investigate how these representations contributed to the perceived value of the SHE. In South Africa, SHE is located within the curriculum of Life Orientation (LO), a compulsory subject through to Grade 12. Despite being compulsory, there is no external moderation for this subject, allowing schools and teachers to decide on the exact content being taught within LO. The theoretical framework of Social Representations Theory (SRT) guided this research. SRT states that our understanding of the world is based on a collection of social representations, accumulated through interactions with the social world. The school environment is a place where social representations are often challenged by new information covered in lessons, as well as in discussions with peers and teachers outside of class. This study was interested in what social representations are being re-presented in the context of SHE. Five focus group discussions were conducted, following a semi-structured interview schedule, informed by the literature review. The sample consisted of first year students at a Johannesburg university, who completed their secondary schooling in 2014. The findings of this study show that South African youth receive vastly different information, some of which is not complete or accurate. Participants felt their SHE failed to assist them in making adult decisions, as there was a sense that vital information was being withheld, and the information that was imparted within SHE was viewed as irrelevant. This was attributed to the societal taboo against speaking openly about topics of sex and sexuality, which was often perpetuated in the ways that sex and sexuality were socially represented within SHE. / MT2017

Sexual and reproductive health care have become key priorities both within developing and developed nations. Young people have been identified as particularly vulnerable to negative health outcomes. South Africa is one such example of a country that presently faces significant challenges in addressing the unmet sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. With the enormous burden of reproductive health problems and the accelerating HIV epidemic, the provision of sexual and reproductive health services remains a challenge. Though various studies highlight the importance of comprehensive services targeted at youth, there is a lack of adequate research in evaluating the extent to which health services are addressing the health needs of clients. This study aimed to address this gap by examining a health care facility for students at one of the largest tertiary institutions in KwaZulu-Natal. The core objective was to determine the extent to which the health services are responding to the sexual and reproductive needs of young people by, exploring the experiences and perspectives of service providers and young men and women in relation to comprehensive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health care. This was assessed using a revised version of the Bruce-Jain quality of care framework. Information for this study was obtained using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods including: an inventory of the facility and services, in-depth interviews with staff and exit interviews with 200 clients aged 18 to 24 years. The findings of the study reveal that logistical constraints hindered effective implementation of comprehensive, youth-friendly services by providers. Providers missed opportunities to provide clients with much needed information and services due to staff shortage, client overload, lack of infrastructure, and poor continuity mechanisms. HIV, STIs and unwanted pregnancies were some of the most important health issues among young people visiting the health facility. Very few young men utilised the services. Some of the key findings were that clients continue to experience barriers in interpersonal relations while many expressed the need for more information from providers. In addition, many young women still have an unmet need for contraception. Policy makers need to incorporate the needs of young clients within sexual and reproductive health initiatives. Ideally young people should be involved in the design and implementation process of comprehensive, youth-friendly health initiatives. This would form a platform for addressing the barriers that hinder health service provision. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This study sets out to examine understandings of gender and sexual risks amongst young Africans in the KwaMakhutha township, in KwaZulu-Natal. Young Africans between the ages of 16 to 17 years old were interviewed to ascertain what they perceive to be risky sexual behaviour and why young people engage in such activities. The study also aimed to understand whether young people understood the negative consequences of risky behaviour. Such insight from young peoples' perspectives is very helpful in understanding what schools can do to prevent risk taking activities especially in the context of AIDS. KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa and young people between the ages of 15-24 are very vulnerable with young women facing disproportionate vulnerability. A qualitative research method was used in this study and ten in-depth interviews were conducted in one of the high schools in the KwaMakutha Township, outside Durban. The study finds that gender inequalities is central in understanding sexual risk and constructions of masculinity and femininity reproduce sexual and gender relations of power where young women remain vulnerable. Schools should take the voices of young people seriously and address gender inequalities as a key area of intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Most research studies focus on foster children or foster parents, there is dearth of research on the impact of fostering on biological children. This aim of this study was to fill the gap in the literature regarding the experiences of biological children sharing a home with foster children. It also investigated how biological children perceive foster care and challenges encountered by children under foster care. This was achieved through a qualitative research approach. The study was conducted at Zwelitsha Township in King Williams Town. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with thirty biological children of foster parents and ten social workers in practice. Two focus group discussions were held with twenty foster parents. A focus group discussion guide was used in collecting information during the discussions. Purposive sampling was used in the study and data was analysed according to themes. The major findings revealed that fostering has both positive and negative impacts on biological children and the foster family. Biological children find foster care placement as helpful to children whose parents cannot provide care and protection for children. They gain and learn new knowledge through fostering and are happy about their new siblings in the family since they have companionship. On the other hand, minority of biological children were ambivalent about foster care as they were uncertain between altruistic feelings of making a difference in the lives of needy children against the negative outcomes of fostering. One biological child was negative about foster care. This participant did not like the idea of fostering and did not describe any personal positive outcomes resulting from his fostering experiences. The findings revealed that biological children are unable to voice out their views and ideas regarding foster care placement. The findings also revealed that biological children are not passive observers on how fostering influences their daily lives. Instead, they use strategies to influence fostering processes, especially to protect their foster siblings for the fostering process to be successful, while also having feelings of responsibility for their foster siblings. The findings further suggest that despite the complex nature of the fostering task, professionals should recognise and acknowledge the input of biological children to fostering. It is, therefore, suggested more training should be provided to foster parents to continually include the opinions of their own children in fostering decisions.

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Cur. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

From discussions with the teenagers of Waverley Congregation, and their poor attendance of the worship service and catechesis, it became obvious that these members’ requirements are not be addressed. In the investigations into this problem, the world of the teenager was first of all addressed. In order to be able to bring the joyous message of the Gospel to them, one first needs to understand the world of the teenager. Otherwise preaching can quite easily be made off as irrelevant, and the unlocking of the message of the sermon into the language and situation of the teenagers cannot be achieved. This entails the first chapter. In the second chapter the focus is mainly on the worship service itself. Additional to this, attention was given to what the reformed identity of the Dutch Reformed Church entails.Attention was also given to renewal and other influences on the worship service. Renewal is not discarding or change, but should rather be thought of in terms of enrichment. Old truths and habits must be seen, used and interpreted anew in the ways of being a church, in such a way as to address the teenagers in their milieu. The third chapter contains the empirical research that was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with some teenagers from the congregation. According to this 91.67% of the teenagers normally attend church with their parents or family. This supports what has surfaced in the literature study, namely the very important influence that parents have on the spiritual forming of children. The other, very interesting, result from the empirical research was the fact that 50% of the teenagers said that they went to church to listen to the Word of God. The other 50% expressed a clear need that the sermons be simpler and more on their level. These results support the literature study, namely that a person wants to meet with God, and specifically via the sermon. One of the big needs expressed by the teenagers is to praise the Lord via contemporary music. Approximately 75% of the respondents were of the opinion that the music has to change if the worship service is to address the teenager. The question is, however, whether the music is really the mayor need, and whether it is not maybe the requirement to hear the Word of God in the language of the teenager. After all, the sermon is the heart of the Gospel, and people go to church to hear the voice of God. Finally the fourth chapter addresses a number of possibilities in order to better address the teenagers. As an experiment the evening worship service and catechesis have been combined at Cunningham Avenue. Over the last three months this has been a fruitful arrangement. The youth council and the “coffee bar parents” increases the involvement of the congregation in the Youth and Family Ministry. This follows the worship vision of the Waverley Dutch Reformed Church congregation, namely that of healthy relationships and the fact that the congregation must be a congregation for the family. / Dissertation (MA(Teologie))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

M.A. / Today's adolescents are more sexurally active than those of previous generations, hence the high incident of early childbearing in most societies worldwide. In South Africa the problem seems to be widespread as it occurs among all cultural and ethnic groups, in rural, as well as in the urban arears, with teenage births constituiting 12% of the country's births. Among lower socio-economic groups, teenage childbearing in South Africa has been precipitated by years of disrupted schooling which has not only affected education, but sexual behaviour as well. In rural Venda, adolescent childbearing could be symtomatic of a breakdown of social order. Sex education has always been of pivotal concern in the development of a Muvenda girl. Upon reaching menarche, the girls would undergo the compulsory pubescence ritual. vhusha. Vhusha does not seem to be surviving the influence of modernization. This is evident from the poor attendance of this ritual, which is being abandoned without being replaced. There is therefore a need to develop a modern culture-friendly psychoeducationa prom-amme for the prevention of teenage pregnancy in rural Venda. This study is aimed at developing such a programme, and furthermore evaluate its effectiveness. The field experiment Before and After control (Pretest-Posttest) design has been used. The experimental intervention (a programme titled: VHUSHA), comprised sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes and career guidance. A questionnaire was used as a measuring instrument for the variables: sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes and future career goals awareness. At posttest, the experimental group showed a significant improvement with regard to sexual attitudes and future career goals awareness in comparison to the control group. VHUSHA has therefore been effective in this regard. Findings of this study showed no significant difference between the two groups with regard to sexual knowledge. This minimal improvement was primarily attributed to the researcher's being part of a culture that lacks openness in communicating sexual knowledge.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / In this study I demonstrate the extent to which I have achieved my original goals to ‘break the silence, address confusion and challenge denial around HIV and AIDS’. As the study progressed I could not ignore the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS infection, and the impact of poverty and (mis)education in the time of HIV and AIDS. I also found myself confronted with the use of the traditional mnemonic oral-style of performance in the form of ‘new wine in old bottles’ where the learners at Mthusi High School used the ‘old bottles’ of gospel songs, isicathamiya and izibongo to compose and relay the ‘new wine’ of their experience and understandings around HIV and AIDS. I could see that the use of the mnemonic oral-style was a natural and powerful way for the learners’ understandings of HIV and AIDS to be shared amongst themselves, within the community, and with a larger public so breaking the silence around HIV and AIDS, and so addressing the confusion, challenging denial, stigma and discrimination around HIV and AIDS. The use of the mnemonic oral style in this way suggested to me that it could also be used effectively in education, and led to my suggesting the use of the traditional mnemonic oral-style relating to HIV and AIDS education in the Grades 10-12 Life Orientation Curriculum. / National Research Foundation