UNDERSTANDING CHINESE AT-RISK BOYS

Abstract

This study is about understanding the perception of the Chinese at-risk boys in the context of their school, social and family systems. Other issues examined include their values and attitudes towards life, boy-girl relationship, premarital sex, volunteerism and defiant behaviours. This study is timely in view of the recent increase of crimes and the lack of understanding of the youth-at-risk in the local context. The two main concerns of this study are: ( 1) The profile of the Chinese-at-risk boys (2) The similarities and differences of Chinese at-risk boys and non-at-risk boys with regards to the above-mentioned areas. A total of 22 youths are included in this qualitative study. Eleven of the youths are identified as the at-risk boys while the rest are the non-at-risk boys. The instruments utilised in this study include a interview schedule and Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) developed by Rohner (1976). Results of this study indicate that the at-risk boys tend to have negative experiences with their schools, teachers and parents. Most of the boys have early school failing experiences and they tend to be dissatisfied with their teachers. Family life seems to have reduced its importance as most of the boys prefer to be with their peers. Due to the perceived generation gap, majority of the boys expressed that they prefer to confide in friends than with parents. They also think that life would be happier and more meaningful if they do not have so many negative encounters with the teachers and parents. Most of the at-risk boys consider that it is all right to have girlfriends now. Some of them condone premarital sex although the rest think that it is illegal. Most of the boys are unaware of the work of welfare organisations in Singapore. While some of the boys commented that they do not mind working as volunteers, the rest are unwilling as they expressed that they are unable to cope with life. Recommendations regarding how to reach out to the youth-at-risk in the local context are made towards the end of the study.