Citation

Mahiya IT, Murombo G. Child Abuse Res. South Afr. 2019; 20(2): 45-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Using a combination of qualitative methods and U-Report survey results, the study aimed at capturing the nature of social norms that cause violence against boys and girls staying in 'bush boarding' arrangements. Three schools were selected because they have 'bush boarders' living in different arrangements. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and field observations were used to collect qualitative primary data. Major findings showed that there are empirical and normative social norms that drive violence in 'bush boarding'. Sexual violence was rampant against girls in 'bush boarding' mainly due to societal beliefs that adults in hosting communities do not treat 'bush boarders' as their own children. Girls also suffer from economic and emotional violence in 'bush boarding'. Boys are exposed to physical violence mainly due to hosting communities' male adults who are threatened by the presence of the boy 'bush boarders' in their community.

Language: en