Sexual abuse of children is a complex and sensitive subject that has an influence on children , families and the wider community . In referring to the term sexual abuse it is usually associated with girls. Although there is very little literature available that focus specially on the sexual abuse of boys, it can never be denied. The clinic involved school where the research was conducted is a school for behaviour difficult boys in middle childhood (6-12 years). There are a large number of sexually abused boys or boys who have been exposed to sexual abuse in the concerned school. It is clear that children who have been sexually abused sometimes have a variety of problems including behavioral problems. There is little research available in South Africa that focuses specifically on sexual abuse and behavioral problems. It seems that boys externalize trauma and that lead to behavioral problems. It was therefore necessary to determine the impact of sexual abuse on the boys, to ensure that appropriate services can be delivered to these boys. The purpose of this study was to investigate behavioral problems of sexual abuse of boys in a clinic school by means of a literature study and empirical research. The researcher conducted qualitative and quantitative approach at the same time. For the quantitative approach, the total population of the sexually abused boys in the clinic school was involved in the study and a questionnaire compiled by the researcher was completed. For the qualitative approach, focus group was held with " SBST " ( School Based Support Team ) , teachers and child and youth care workers. There are recommendations made that seek to ensure that proper services can be provided to the sexual abuse of boys in a clinic school, in order to address their problem behavior and rehabilitate them faster. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of the present study is to obtain an understanding of the primary school child's life world while resident at a Boys' Town. The study presents an extensive review of the literature on developmental phases of the primary school child, relationships with himself, his family and peer group while resident in an institution. The study employed the use of quantitative and qualitative measures to elicit information from the child. To enhance the findings of the study, information from a comparative group of primary school children with intact families from the wider community was utilized. The target subjects in the study included all primary school children resident at a Boy's Town in Tongaat. The results yielded useful insights in the life world of the primary school child. These insights into the life world of the primary school child formed the basis for recommendation and served the direction for future research. These insights into the life world of the primary school child formed the basis for recommendation and served the direction for future research. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

Three investigations were conducted using pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) and oxygen consumption to non-invasively determine the relationship between hemodynamic and metabolic variables from rest through submaximal and maximal exercise in early adolescent males. In the first study, interinvestigator and day-to-day variability of cardiac output measurements at rest and during exercise determined by PDE were analyzed in six junior high school age boys. Four Doppler-derived variables (cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, and stroke index) were not different when calculated by independent investigators and showed the same interinvestigator variability from rest through submaximal and maximal exercise as has been reported at rest in previous validation studies. There was a slight but statistically significant increase in the absolute values of the above hemodynamic variables and simultaneously collected metabolic variables during a second identical test conducted approximately nine days later. A faster adjustment to increasing workrates in the second test could explain this latter finding since supine cycle ergometry is not as familiar an activity as more frequently used modes of exercise testing. It is concluded that hemodynamic measurements using PDE exhibit the same acceptable variability throughout exercise as has been previously demonstrated at rest. In the second study, PDE was used to determine rapid serial measurements of cardiac output during a rapid loading supine cycle ergometer exercise test in twenty-two junior high school age boys. These measurements were compared to simultaneoulsy determined measurements of oxygen consumption. Cardiac output adjusted faster to each new workrate than oxygen consumption. Further analysis of these responses revealed that increases in heart rate (as opposed to stroke volume) were responsible for this rapid adjustment. It is concluded that there is an uncoupling and recoupling of these normally closely related hemodynamic and metabolic variables during the transitional periods between increasing levels of steady-state supine exercise. In the final study, gradual loading and rapid loading supine cycle ergometer protocols were compared in fifteen junior high school age boys. Maximal metabolic measurements and heart rate from each test were not different. Maximal PDE-derived measurements of cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, and stroke index were slightly, but significantly, higher in the gradual loading protocol. It is concluded that a more complete adjustment of cardiac output (reflected by stroke volume) to maximal supine exercise occurs in a more gradual loading protocol than in a rapid loading protocol.

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Juvenile male prostitution is practised world-wide. The fact that it occurs in urban areas of South Africa, has been attested to by media reports since approximately 1985. Nevertheless it is a relatively unknown phenomenon as it has never before been researched in South Africa. This study is the first research project which has been undertaken in South Africa. The aim of the study was to describe an educational psychological approach which was designed to assist those involved in juvenile male prostitution. In this research a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was implemented. The research was divided into two phases. In the first phase the life experiences of the juvenile male prostitutes were explored and described using exploratory multiple case studies based on numerous sources in order to collect the data. The written data was subsequently analyzed according to Giorgi's phenomenological analysis and Kerlinger's content analysis. Categories which came to light, were used in describing the subjects' life experiences. The validity and reliability of the research were ensured using Guba's model for determining trustworthiness. On completion of the investigation, the research findings were compared with the relevant, available literature, to determine the existence of similarities and differences. At the end of the first phase, a number of themes were identified and were employed as a guide to the formulation of an educational psychological remedial approach. The three areas which were identified as being significant in describing an educational psychological approach were: boys who had run away from home and who were Jiving outside conventional social structures, boys who were living with their families, and boys who were still at school. In describing an educational psychological approach the main focus was directed at those juvenile male prostitutes who were living outside conventional social structures. As three of the four subjects used in the research project filled this requirement, it was decided to implement the programme with one of the subjects in order to evaluate and adapt it, if necessary. Prior to the implementation of the programme the proposed educational psychological approach for therapeutic assistance was submitted to two educational psychologists and a social worker for their appraisal during a panel discussion. Following consultation with this panel of experts, it was decided that too many factors existed which could negatively affect the therapy. These factors were identified as: the absence of social structures, the lack of conditions which would satisfy basic needs, and the absence of social support structures...

Popular music life is permeated by both male dominance and gender segregation – the latter most notably concerns musical instrument choice. The pervasiveness of these phenomena is suggested by both music research on gender and statistics. In this study, the overarching ambition is to explain boys' reproductive approaches to popular music/making. In order to successfully carry out a study with such an explanatory ambition, a theory of causality in social life is necessary. In this thesis the notion of causality is taken from a critical realist tradition. However, explanation and causal analysis is most often rejected among music researchers who deal with questions of gender. Nonetheless, I would argue that explanatory ambitions are tacit starting points in this kind of research, and the field would stand to gain from making them explicit. Therefore I have formulated two aims, which my study addresses. The first one is to explain boys' reproductive approaches to popular music/making, in regard to male dominance and gender segregation. The second one is more theoretically oriented: to apply critical realism within music research on gender. The aims has been fulfilled by, first, identifying the boys' adoption of and distancing from different approaches to popular music/musicians and musical instruments. Second, the boys' approaches are explained by reconstructing the social, cultural and psychological conditions that has enabled them. Altogether, this demonstrates why and how the boys' reproductive approaches arise, which (potentially) lead to a reproduction of the male dominance and gender segregation within the popular music field.

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.