3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Perceptions of family functioning and its impact on juvenile offending.(2009-03-20T07:13:37Z) Harrison, LeandraCrime committed by youth within South Africa is a problem of growing concern. Family environments are seen as powerful putative factors in the development of offending behaviour. On the basis of family systems theory, it was postulated that juveniles are influenced by the reciprocal interactions amongst family members as it shapes their development. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development illustrates that the formation of morals is influenced by the quality of relationships within family units. This study therefore explored juvenile delinquent’s perceptions of their families and the impact it had on their offending behaviour. The subjective world of these offenders was focused upon within the qualitative paradigm through an exploration of their experiences. This method was deemed significant as it attempted to understand these delinquents in terms of their own definitions of their family lives in order to provide an in-depth and insightful account into how they perceived their families to have influenced their behaviour. Eleven juvenile offenders, aged between 15 and 21 attending a diversion programme participated in the study. The research was conducted in the form of semi-structured individual interviews where various themes relating to the family were explored. The participants’ responses were recorded and analysed utilising thematic content analysis. The participants perceived their families to potentially act as a contributing factor in the development of their criminal behaviour. Specific aspects, namely different family forms, family relationships, patterns and response styles, as well as families levels of emotional involvement were all perceived to have impacted on their delinquent behaviour. Although none of these factors can be considered in isolation, a complex interplay of these family characteristics may significantly contribute to the development of asocial behaviour. In contrast to these findings, areas of contestation also arose from participants’ talk. Despite their delinquency and the potential contribution of the family, some participants identified the family to act as a protective factor and thus not influencing their involvement in criminal acts. Aside from the family, other influences such as peer groups and community violence were also identified as potential risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Therefore although an important contributing factor, the family cannot be considered in isolation when attempting to identify what may lead these juveniles to engage in criminal acts.Item Identifying the needs of participants in the Khulisa Diversion Programme.(2008-07-18T08:47:00Z) Monyatsi, ThaboThe aim of this study was to identify the needs of participants in the Khulisa Diversion Programme. It evaluated the outcomes and impacts of this programme. The researcher set out to determine and explore whether the programme is meeting the needs of its participants. These children have been referred to it by juvenile courts, schools and parents for committing minor crimes that do not require the criminal justice system. The needs identified were based on Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs. This research study uses a qualitative research approach. A questionnaire was administered to the participants and a focus group interview was conducted with the group after the main themes were identified from an analysis of the completed questionnaires. Central themes that emerged related mainly to participants’ unique understanding of their needs as related to the delinquent acts committed. The interview was transcribed and analyzed and the data obtained were documented and recommendations were submitted to Khulisa on how the Diversion Programme could be improved by meeting the needs of its participants. The results indicated that Khulisa has developed an intervention programme that is meeting the needs of these young children, provides them with the opportunity to reflect on their wrong behaviours and aims to help them correct their behaviours in future. In particular, the children who participated in this study seemed to have developed an insight into their behaviors and to have realized the importance of accountability and being responsible for their behavior. iv. The study also highlighted numerous research and methodological difficulties inherent in this study. These problems, and recommendations for future studies, are discussed. The study, while limited, provides initial support for the continued use of the Khulisa Diversion Programme when dealing with juveniles who can be diverted from the criminal justice system.