Females' environmental perceptions of violence and danger in secondary schools : case studies from the Durban Metropolitan area.
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Date
2002
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Abstract
There has been a significant level of outcry opposing violence against females and the
development of policies and legislation aimed at reducing this increasing problem that
confronts South African society. Yet, violence and the fear of violence, especially
gender-based violence, are widespread in South Africa. Despite the considerable
research that has been undertaken on violence in South Africa, there remains a weak
empirical and conceptual basis to understand females' environmental perceptions of
violence and danger in secondary schools. This dissertation contributes to a greater
understanding of the relationships between gender, violence and environmental
perceptions. Gender specific spatialities, experiences and perceptions are critically
examined. Critical concerns in the study include females' environmental perceptions
of violence and images of danger in secondary schools, sources of information
regarding violence and danger, types of violence that females are aware of, specific
experiences of violence among the respondents and the coping strategies adopted by
females.
To enable a critical examination of the above issues, a comprehensive literature
review was undertaken as well as fieldwork was conducted in two secondary schools
(Dr A D Lazarus and Ridge Park College). Both female learners and teachers
participated in the study. A variety of quantitative and qualitative methods were used
including questionnaire surveys as well as mental mapping and ranking exercises to
achieve the aims and objectives of this study.
The key findings of the research show that violence and the danger of violence
constrain the movements and the options of females. Furthermore, the results clearly
illustrate discernible patterns of fear of violence, experiences of violence, perceptions
of violence and responses to the perceived threat of violence among the respondents.
Additionally, a disconcerting finding was that a significant proportion of the
respondents at both schools viewed the school itself to be unsafe or located in close
proximity to areas that they perceived to be dangerous.
Undoubtedly, addressing issues pertaining to gender and violence in secondary
schools (and in society more generally) will enhance females' abilities to effectively
participate in and benefit from educational and development processes. This study
shows that acts of violence generally and gender-based violence particularly need to
be understood in their environmental contexts inclusive of the location! spatial, social,
economic and political dimensions. Moreover, perceptions and the fear of violence,
although they may not match actual risk, need to be responded to constructively.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)- University of Durban Westville, 2002.
Keywords
Violence in children--South Africa., School violence., Theses--Environmental science.