- Creator
- Mugedya, Samuel
- Subject
- Juvenile delinquency
- Date
- 2019
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MSW
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17685
- Identifier
- vital:41136
- Description
- This study explored the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency in grandparent headed families in Hill Crest, Alice township, Eastern Cape. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (I) to determine the factors associated with juvenile delinquency in grandparent headed family environments; (ii) to ascertain the experiences encountered by grandparent headed families due to juvenile delinquency. (iii) to establish the support system provided by the relevant stakeholders (probation officers, police, school officials and grandparents) to address juvenile delinquency in grandparent headed families. The study was premised on theoretical lenses of the social bond theory, social learning theory and general strain theory. Methodologically, the study used the qualitative approach guided by the exploratory-descriptive research design and phenomenology was adopted as the specific research design. The data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and key informant method. Also, the study used non-probability method sample selection, specifically purposive sampling technique was used. Using this technique, nineteen (19) participants were selected comprised of five (5) grandchildren, eighty (8) grandparents, two (2) probation officers, two (2) police officers, one (1) community committee member and one (1) school official. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings: the grandparent household have unique factors that are contributing to juvenile delinquency these include old age, overprotection, backgrounds of grandchildren to mention but just a few; delinquency by grandchildren has spill over effects that are adversely affecting the lives of grandparents for instance health deterioration, victimisation and loss of property; ii grandparents have their own means of addressing juvenile delinquency such as corporal punishment, emotional attachment and religion; the department of social development has programmes in place to assist grandparents, however, they are facing some challenges in effectively execute them; relevant stakeholders such as police and schools shown reluctance in addressing juvenile delinquency in grandparent headed families. Based on the evidence gathered, this study made the following recommendations: development of programmes to assist grandparent headed households on parenting; mentoring programmes for vulnerable children; the appointment and active involvement of youth workers; social development need to need to regard probation as a specialised area and policies should be developed protecting old aged persons from taking full custody of children. The study concluded that grandparent headed households are contributing to juvenile delinquency and old age was determined to be the central key factor giving birth to this quagmire.
- Format
- 250 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- University of Fort Hare
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