https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29812 2026-04-27T06:35:30Z 2026-04-27T06:35:30Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29949 2018-06-13T13:19:57Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Why do young Maltese people choose to be active Abstract: This study was carried out as to seek why do Maltese young people particularly choose to be active in Hip Hop. Other particular aims was to see what motivates young people to integrate into Hip Hop and stay there. The study also delved into establishing what Hip Hop means to young people. This study uses six interviews with open ended questions as to seek answers to the main question of this study mentioned earlier. Interview participants come from the local Hip Hop scene and are between the age of 21 years old and 30 years old. Five of the interviewees were male and one female, who represented different Hip Hop elements (Breakdancers, Rappers, Graffiti Artists and DJ’s). Interviews were transcript and analysed through a thematical approach. Through this approach the following themes were analysed; how and why youth engage into Hip Hop, if Hip Hop is a culture or a sub-culture, if Hip Hop is a universal language, are role models and people who inspired the interviewees important for the engagement of young people in Hip Hop and whether Hip Hop is gender balanced in Malta. Through the analysis of the interviews and emerging themes, it was shown that young people are usually motivated to engage into Hip Hop, through media, music and their peers. They are usually motivated to stay engaged in Hip Hop because of several reasons. Role models or people who inspired the interviewees also seem to have played an important key, for youth to engage in Hip Hop. The opportunity to socialize with others and the fact that it helped most of them loosen their frustration and the fact that the element they practiced gave them energy is an indication of the fact that these participants remained in Hip Hop. Through the interviews and considering the misinterpretation amongst the participants of what they understood of sub-culture and culture, it was indicated that Hip Hop is a sub-culture. Through the mention of interviewees of Hip Hop being a language, it was understood that Hip Hop is a music sub-culture and art form, therefor it can be perceived as a language. Females seems to be less representative in Malta, through the feedback given by the interviewees. The study recommends to the Department for youth studies within the University of Malta that more material related to sub cultures, particularly in Hip Hop is introduced in courses catering for prospective youth workers. It was also suggested that sub-cultures should be kept in mind when drafting youth policies. It is hoped that this study will promote the benefits of Hip Hop towards the Maltese society and instigate more research in the area. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29948 2018-05-15T01:35:26Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Will this upheaval ever settle? : insights into the experiences and coping strategies of young people living with a parent affected by depression Abstract: This study explores the experiences and coping strategies adopted by young people who are living or lived with a parent affected by depression. A qualitative technique was used to gain a deeper insight about this subject. Six young adults aged between 18 to 29 years took part in this research and their experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews. This work presents literature about depressive disorders and how symptoms change the behaviour of mentally-ill parents towards their children. Additionally, this research explains how young cohabitants with a depressed parent are influenced emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially. The data collected was analysed through thematic analysis. Seven superordinate themes resulted from this analysis. These are An Unfamiliar Experience, Chaotic Family Environment, Role Adaptation, “Missing Out”, Seeking a Healthy Environment, Information the Way Forward and Expectations from Professionals. Offspring of depressed parents have to take on new care-giving responsibilities, face conflict within the family and deal with their personal problems as well as deal with the burden and stress the parent’s illness brings about. The last part of the research will focus on recommendations that could help these children, such as having supportive services, information about their parents’ mental-illness, and a positive environment. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29944 2018-05-12T01:31:44Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A comparative analysis of girls’ play during recess period, in single-sex and co-educational schools Abstract: An article published in the Times of Malta in January 2014, titled “Co-education in Form 1 throughout Malta and Gozo as from September”, was released following a three-month experiment in a local State School. This article raised a strong yet futile debate online. A thought featuring in a number of comments was that the experiment was poor and decisions were rushed. The debate slowly diffused and Co-Ed schooling was enforced in State schools, the following scholastic year. The general issue as to whether or not coeducation is more suitable for students at secondary level, has drawn the attention of many scholar over the years and essentially remains a debatable subject. The majority of studies following this debate are aimed towards investigating the academic performance of students across different schools, without cherishing the importance of investigating how informal learning is affected. Thus, contributing towards the existent gap in such studies, this thesis aims to examine how young females interact on the school playground during recess period, with a particular focus on sports activities and active play. The main investigation, that is whether the gender composition of schools has an impact on break time activities unfolds through an analysis from three different perspectives : Gender Socialization, Physical Activity and Body Image. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29942 2018-05-12T01:31:47Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The classroom under the tree Abstract: Outdoor education has been around for centuries however it has been recognized formally only in the last century by Kurt Hahn, known as the father of outdoor education. In this review of various studies, defining outdoor education in all its aspects is one of the principle aims of the study. The goal is to establish a clearer picture of the way young people benefit from outdoor education and training. It also aims to discover outdoor educational programmes and activities within the local setting of Malta. The study also looks at the local National Youth Policy to understand how the tenants of outdoor education are reflected within the policy itself and how local entities are already working on these tenants. Recommendations for further research and studies are given to be able to broaden the knowledge of outdoor education within the local setting on a practical level. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z