Submitted in fidfilo]ebI ofthe requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Zululand, 1994. / The study aims at studying and analyzing juvenile delinquency among secondary school children in Kwa-Zulu and the influence of the family thereupon. Through the use of a self-report survey the study seeks to establish the following -
* sex and age differences with regard to juvenile delinquency;
* family influence on juvenile delinquency by analyzing differences in family structure, family size and family economics;
* the relationship between age, family controls and self-reported delinquency; and
* nature and extent of juvenile delinquency through self-report data thereby bridging the gap between what is officially known and otherwise hidden forms of delinquency.
Research techniques employed in the study include the following:-*
* Literature study through which approaches to juvenile delinquency by other researchers were reviewed.
* A self administered questionnaire consisting of personal particulars, family data and a delinquency check-list.
* Sampling techniques through which three secondary schools and 560 respondents were selected.
* Statistical techniques to test reliabi1ity of the measurement instrument and thirteen formulated hypothesis.
The findings of the study indicate the following:-
(a) Significant differences between male and female respondents with reference to self-reported delinquency.
(b) Insignificant differences among age-group categories and delinquency; but positive relationship between age and juvenile delinquency.
(c) Insignificant differences between family structure, family size, parental economic activities and juvenile delinquency.
(d) Significant differences in the application of family controls in respect of male and female respondents and those from intact and broken families. This is, however, not the case with age-groups, family sizes and mother's economic activity.
(e) The hypothesis relating to the relationship between family control and delinquency, in respect of family religiousness and parental discipline is supported. However a partial support with regard to parental supervision and affection is observed.
The following recommendations are put forward:-
(a) The family as a primary socialization unit be empowered by removing all factors that may contribute to family tensions, for example, unemployment and other related social pathologies.
(b) The school is a secondary socialization agent, be revitalized. This can be achieved by means of upgrading the curricula and encouragement of close cooperation between the parents and the teachers.
(c) The church and recreational facilities be used to improve the welfare of Black families by linking leisure activities to the youths' interests.
The study succeeds in revealing the existence of "hidden" delinquency among Black secondary school children and important relationships between family and juvenile delinquency. / University of Zululand
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uzulu/oai:uzspace.unizulu.ac.za:10530/645 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Mqadi, Langalibalele Prince |
| Contributors | Potgieter, P.J., Sibaya, P.T. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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