An investigation into the future orientation of indigent culturally diverse urban adolescents

• Main Author: Shelley, Debra Lorna
• Other Authors: Jacobs, S. (Dr.)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Future orientation; Indigent adolescent; Culturally diverse; Gestalt theory; Lewinian-Gestalt developmental theory; Adolescence > South Africa > Gauteng; Social change > South Africa > Gauteng; Multiculturalism > South Africa > Gauteng; Adolescent psychology > South Africa > Gauteng; Gestalt therapy > South Africa > Gauteng; Social interaction in adolescence > South Africa > Gauteng; Social learning > South Africa > Gauteng; Time perspective in adolescence > South Africa > Gauteng
• Online Access: Shelley, Debra Lorna (2010) An investigation into the future orientation of indigent culturally diverse urban adolescents, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4790>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4790

South Africa is currently experiencing rapid social change with socio-economic deprivation, influencing the future orientation of adolescents. Research indicates that a lack of future expectations affects present behaviour−diminishing the possibility of socialisation and productivity in adulthood. The objective of this study is to assess the future perceptions of indigent adolescents. The Gestalt paradigm provided the framework for defining the study. This empirical study uses a mixed methodology design combining both the quantitative and the qualitative approaches. A crosssectional survey provided the groundwork in terms of ascertaining the degree of awareness in respect of the future orientation of indigent, urban adolescents whilst a qualitative, semi-structured, one-on-one interview provided an in-depth contextualisation of the problem. The empirical study demonstrated that, although socio-economic deprivations and pervasive social issues do influence the future orientation of adolescents in South Africa, these influences have not eradicated the indigent adolescents’ motivational striving toward a positive and productive future. === Social Work === M. Diac. (Play Therapy)