The influence of violence on youth club activities

Abstract

A literature review and qualitative study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of violence on social youth club activities, and youth as individual members of society. The purpose was to determine the involvement of youth in the ongoing political violence as well as to ascertain youth's needs and anxieties during periods of violence. Politically aligned, social and church youth groups were studied. Group discussions were held with different groups in an effort to probe into youth's activities and personal lives during periods of violence. The researcher also relied upon perusal of media, unobtrusive observation of youth's behaviour during incidents of violence, and informal discussions with the parents. The study found that political violence hinders the activities of youth, but that politically aligned youth feel empowered by their involvement in the liberation struggle. Youth referred to their own acts of violence as counterviolence against the violence of apartheid. They saw themselves as victims of violence, rather than perpetrators of violence.