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Differential Gender Perception Of Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents In Secondary Schools
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1.2 Theoretical framework
Bowen Theory
Bowen's
family systems theory (shortened to 'Bowen theory' from 1974) was one
of the first comprehensive theories of family systems functioning
(Bowen, 1966, 1978, Kerr and Bowen, 1988). It continues to be a central
influence in the practice of family therapy. It is possible that some
local family therapists have been influenced by many of Bowen's ideas
Bowen
family systems theory is a theory of human behavior that views the
family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the
complex interactions in the unit. It is the nature of a family that its
members are intensely connected emotionally. Often people feel distant
or disconnected from their families, but this is more feeling than fact.
Family members so profoundly affect each other's thoughts, feelings,
and actions that it often seems as if people are living under the same
"emotional skin." People solicit each other's attention, approval, and
support and react to each other's needs, expectations, and distress. The
connectedness and reactivity make the functioning of family members
interdependent. A change in one person's functioning is predictably
followed by reciprocal changes in the functioning of others. Families
differ somewhat in the degree of interdependence, but it is always
present to some degree. Eight interlocking concepts make up Bowen's
theory.
Justification of Bowen theory
Adolescence is a stage of
storm and stress; boys and girls are into rape due to the unequal before
the law of the land. There should be right to speak out to the
necessary authorities if rape incident occurs, regardless of power and
personality. If things are all equal, the way you treat a rich man
victim and a poor man victim, the rate of the perpetrators will
significantly reduce.
Besides, counsellors, teachers and significant
others should try to apply different mechanism to reduces the rate of
rape in the society and to treat everybody equal before the law.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Sexual
violence is often referred to as a "hidden" crime (CDC, 2000) or a
"silent epidemic" as rape and sexual assault frequently go unreported to
the police and other authorities (Abbey, Zawacki, Buck, Clinton, &
Mcauslan, 2001). In fact, according to the Texas Association Against
Sexual Assault (2001), less than 15% of rapes are ever reported. This
has been a concern for the researcher to dwell on the study.
Adolescents
also may minimize sexually violent behaviours or may not perceive the
sexual act as a crime and thus, not report sexual abuse case. Fisher,
Cullen, and Turner (2000) noted that among college women who described
experiencing a sexual act meeting the legal definition of rape, less
than half (46.5%) personally defined the experience as rape. This may be
due to several factors, including denial, sexual inexperience, guilt,
previous victimization, and acceptance of traditional sex-role
stereotypes. Furthermore, the misperception that visible injuries and
physical trauma are always present after assault may cause some
adolescents, especially those with minimal physical injuries, to not
identify as a victim. This gives the researcher so much concern and if
probably to design a paradigm to follow when adolescent is sexually
abused.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The study investigated the differential gender perception of sexual abuse among adolescents in secondary schools. Experimental design was used in order to assess the opinions of the respondent with the use of questionnaire to deduce responses from the participants. One hundred and twenty (120) students were selected randomly from three senior secondary schools in the Local government of the study. The instrument utilized for the study was Self designed Questionnaire. Five hypotheses were postula ... Continue reading---
