The aspirations and life goals of youth offenders at Lindelani Place of Safety

[摘要] Rising crime rates among the youth in South Africa is a major problem. In the Western Capethis concern is particularly urgent and is compounded by issues relating to gangsterism anddrugs. This study analyses why youth offenders, based at Lindelani become involved in crimeand how they subsequently see their future. The first part of the study reviews theories ofcrime and deviance, such as the classical school of criminology, psychological, biological andsociological explanations of crime. The usefulness of the criminological developmentalistapproach toward identifying risk factors statistically correlated to the perpetration of crime isdiscussed. Common factors associated with crime in the South African context are identifiedincluding family, peers, gang, drug, school, media and neighbourhood related factors as wellas the absence of spirituality. Thereafter the literature associated with the development ofaspirations, life goals and the concept of possible selves is explained. The relationshipbetween possible selves, aspirations and life goals are discussed and details regarding howpossible selves influence delinquency are presented. Following the theoretical analysis, theproblem of crime in South Africa with reference to the youths interviewed is outlined. Thestrategies pursued by government to combat crime are discussed and the effective potential ofthese approaches are evaluated. An overview of government's policy toward youth in SouthAfrica is given followed by specific reference to the issues surrounding youth and crime inthe Western Cape, with explicit reference to the Cape Flats and gangs. This provides thebackground to the Lindelani case study. An overview of the operations and challenges facingLindelani Place of Safety and the profile of offences typically committed by youth are given.Hereafter the findings are presented. The findings are divided into two sections; the firstexplores the life world of youth at Lindelani by discussing why youth in the Western Capeperpetrate crime and identifies factors that are associated with their involvement. The findingsreport on the influence of family and household structure, peers, neighbourhood environment,gangs, drugs, school, media, perceived aptitude of youth offenders, role models andspirituality. Section two presents the findings regarding the possible selves, life goals andaspirations of the youth. The general aspirations, possible selves, family aspirations,friendship, neighbourhood, spiritual, educational and occupational aspirations are explored.The study thereby presents the voices of these young offenders.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University