Abstract
M.Phil.
This is a study that seeks
to understand what makes two children raised in the same crime and violence ridden
environment grow to be different, one actually becoming angry and resentful and thus
ending up in prison, having committed serious crime, the other one transcending his adversity and becoming an admirable leader in his community. The exploration of contributory factors, leading young people to get involved in violent behaviour is
examined and protective elements in the social environment that enabled those to
transcend their adversity are also explored.
The stories of juvenile prisoners about their lives provide insight into how the family
prepares the ground for violent behaviour. The study found from focus groups with high
school learners that inner strength, positive self- esteem and focusing on target goals play
a critical role in helping young people overcome their challenges, this confirms earlier
research in longitudinal studies.
The findings will help in the development of intervention programmes based on the
experiences of the South African youths. It is also envisaged that this will enable the
voices of young people to be heard.