Thesis (M.A.) (Clinical Psychology) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / The aim of this study was to determine children’s understanding of domestic
violence. Children’s understanding encompasses their knowledge and
perceptions of domestic violence as well as their attitude towards such
violence.
Three hundred (300) grade six and grade seven learners ranging in age from
11 to 16 years participated in the study. The participants included 150 girls
and 150 boys. The average age of the female participants was 11 to 12 years
and of the male participants the average age was 13 to 14 years. The
participants resided in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo province.
Participants were chosen from three regions, namely a township, city and
village or farm area.
A questionnaire designed by the University of Limpopo Psychology
Department in conjunction with Childline Limpopo was administered to the
participants. The questionnaire formed part of a broader research on
children’s issues in schools. Areas covered in the questionnaire included
biographical data, issues around self esteem, children’s rights, child abuse,
domestic violence, gender roles and AIDS knowledge. The present study
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made use of the biographical data as well as data obtained from the domestic
violence section of the questionnaire.
Results indicated that 92% of participants in the sample had exposure to the
concept domestic violence although only 37.3% had intimate knowledge of
domestic violence victims. The source of greatest exposure to the concept was
the school environment. Knowledge of domestic violence victims had a
significant influence on children’s attitude towards conflict and violence. The
majority of the sample did not condone violence and men were perceived as
holding more violent attributes than women. The gender of the participant
held no significant influence on the results. Geographic location appeared to
influence responses to statements with significant differences noted by the
township sample.
Results of the study highlight a need to raise awareness and dispel myths
regarding domestic violence. Programmes aimed at raising awareness of
domestic violence should be implemented at a school level, as this is where
most children are exposed to the concept. Greater awareness of organisations
offering information and support to victims of violence is necessary.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/115 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Bowker, Chantal Ann |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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