OUT BUT NOT IN : AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS OF DELINQUENT AND NON-DELINGUENT SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Abstract

The following is an exploratory study of the social support networks of delinquent and non-delinquent school dropouts. Attention is also paid to follow-up services for school dropouts in Singapore. In this comparative study, a total of 16 delinquent and 15 non-delinquents were interviewed. The objectives of the study are: to gain an understanding of the profile of the school dropouts to see if there are any differences in type and nature of social support networks of delinquent and non-delinquent school dropouts and to evaluate current follow-up services for school dropouts. Face-to face interviews were conducted with 31 respondents. It was found that there were significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of type and nature of social support. Generally, delinquent school dropouts were found to have more negative school experiences, weaker attachment to family and strong commitment to peers at point of leaving school than non-delinquents. Similarities among the 2 different groups are also noted such as low participation in school ECAs and low involvement in outside community organisation at point of leaving school. Generally, delinquent school dropouts are found to have weak positive formal social support network and strong negative informal social support network at the point of leaving school. As a whole, the informal social support network of both groups of school dropouts increased. Face-to-face interviews were also conducted with follow-up service providers to find out about their existing services, the difficulties they experience and their views and recommendations on current follow-up services. Recommendations for social work intervention at policy, school, organisational level were made and suggestions for future research rendered.