Adolescent dating violence and identity development : a South African perspective

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment attempts to explore how certain factors that play a role in the perpetration ofdating violence among South African male adolescents are related to identity development.While there has been much investigation of the factors relating to dating violence, much lesshas been written about how these factors are related to the developmental tasks ofadolescence.This assignment starts with a brief exploration of local and international literature onadolescent and adult dating violence. Certain factors that are considered to be particularlyrelevant to adolescent dating violence are then highlighted. These are exposure to trauma,alcohol and drug use, peer group influences, and aggressive and misogynist expressions ofmasculinity. The main focus of the thesis is then to investigate the extent to which thesefactors can be tied to one of the main developmental tasks of adolescence, namely identityformation.It is argued that, while adolescence is a phase in which identity is being developed, identityformation can be compromised by early exposure to aggression. This, together with thedesire to imitate significant others, may lead to a re-enactment of aggression. Alternatively, itcan lead to a heightened identity confusion, which may create a greater reliance on externalsources, most significantly the peer group. It is possible that, for acceptance, the peer groupmay require an expression of masculinity that is misogynist and aggressive. Given that datingrelationships are an arena in which identities are negotiated with a peer group, it is possiblethat the aggression that is encouraged may find expression within these dating associations.The abuse of alcohol and drugs, modelled by others in early life and encouraged by the peergroup, serves to augment the likelihood of dating violence. This process is also discussed inthe light of the post-Apartheid South African context.Understanding the abovementioned factors in terms of identity development has implicationsfor empirical enquiry and prevention programmes. It is argued that research should take intoaccount the developmental tasks of adolescence, whilst attempting to understand the uniquechallenges that face adolescents in South Africa. Intervention programmes should befocused on assisting adolescent males with the developmental task of identity negotiation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University