Profile, issues and directions of troubled muslim teenage dropouts

Abstract

This study aimed toidentify theprofile, issues and directions of teenage dropouts. Respondents of the study comprised 10 male and 10 female troubled teenage dropouts, currently incarcerated in a teenage rehabilitation facility. They were selected using the purposive sampling technique.Data for this qualitative studywere collected via semi-structured interview sessions. The data were then coded into main themesandsub-themes, which were then further analysed using the NVivo software. The study found thatteenagers as young as 15 years of age for male, and 17 years of age for females, have been involved in offences that merit in them being sent to a rehabilitation centre. The study also indicated that the level of education among the teenagers is low. Besides that, the study found that male respondents tend to be involved in more violent crimes like rape, molestation and involvement in gangs where as female respondents showed a plethora of social problems, ranging from serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and illicit sex.This study found that peers (60), own self (30) and family (10) are the contributing factors influencing teenagers' involvement in social problems.