https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/62370 2026-04-04T21:24:37Z 2026-04-04T21:24:37Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/99175 2022-07-13T05:16:22Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Minors as perpetrators of domestic violence Abstract: Child to parent abuse is increasingly becoming an insidious family problem which involves all society. It is the psychological, emotional and financial abuse from the minor to gain authority and control over parents/caregivers (Contreras & Cano, 2014). As documented in different literature, it is generally an understudied and underreported problem. This study provides an extensive review of the related expert literature and presents and discusses the findings of a series of open-ended, semi-structured interviews, with seven adult participants who as minors were abusive towards their parents/caregivers. These interviews were intended to determine the factors leading to child to parents/caregivers abuse in the participants’ narratives. Lack of adequate parental skills, child abandonment, substance abuse and addiction, peer pressure, problematic school experiences and mental health and a criminogenic background in the family also emerged as important factors contingent upon the participants’ abusive behaviour. The dissertation rounds up with various policy and service development recommendations with the aim of better focusing on, preventing and responding to the psycho-social factors which lead minors to abuse of their parents/caregivers. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/99169 2022-07-13T05:15:35Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The experience of foreign inmates within the Maltese prison and criminal justice system Abstract: Since Malta’s accession to the EU, there has been an increase of foreigners entering Malta. These foreigners can be classified as tourists (those coming for vacation and leaving the island after a specified time) and migrants (those who opt to move to Malta). Having such an increase in the population can lead to a myriad of pros and cons. Amongst the cons, one of the most national and social pressing issues is the increase in crime committed by foreigners and thus resulting in the increase of foreign inmates at Malta’s prison: Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF). Hand in hand with the increase of foreign nationals comes the need for integration and better policies being set so as to educate both foreign and local nationals. Although integration is the key in adjusting to a multicultural nation, this is constantly being threatened by locals not accepting change and foreigners whose only scope of choosing Malta is crime related. Eg. drug and money smuggling. In light of this, this research qualitatively explores the experience of ten inmates and their entanglement with the Maltese Criminal Justice System followed by their stay at CCF. The narratives include factors from their past life history prior coming to Malta, the reason behind coming to Malta, their crime involvement, any factors leading to arrest by the different Maltese officials and the process through the Maltese Criminal Justice and imprisonment experience. It further delves into the treatment received at CCF both when held on remand or as a sentenced prisoner. Consequently, the participants were asked to share any recommendations they deem necessary for the treatment of foreign inmates. This research adopts an inductive approach which helps the ten participants to follow the interview yet at the same time placing all importance on the subjective experience and point of view of every individual. The research further highlights the intersectionality and heterogeneity with the foreign inmate population whilst giving voice and pinpointing the multidimensional realities and personal experiences. This research has identified various differences in relation to the treatment and struggles perceived by foreign inmates. When it comes to the difference in treatment, this is enhanced by whether one is an EU National or not. Furthermore, it has also highlighted the factor that skin colour plays an important role in the treatment and segregation of people both still under custody and those under remand or sentenced. Moreover, another salient finding is that; in the female section there is no segregation between drug addicts and non-drug addicts. This is creating an issue for the foreign female inmate population who are generally imprisoned for drug trafficking and petty thefts. Most foreigners make good use of the education program currently set at CCF and this helps to further their knowledge so as to better themselves and in the end are better prepared for the future. In addition, having work has proven to be beneficial for the inmates as this serves as an alienation, time passes more quickly and also creates a source of income. This source of income plays an important role for foreigners who usually have no visitations and family that could help them financially. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/62442 2020-10-25T06:32:17Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Social stigma : barriers faced by young people from Vittoriosa Abstract: All cities have identities, but only some also have stigmas ascribed to them. This stigma tends to permeate the lives and practices of individuals within it, becomes engrained into popular discursive regimes and turns out to be extremely difficult to change. For more than half a century the city of Vittoriosa has been the bearer of such stigma. This has been mainly associated with socio-economic problems and has brought about many social injustices which the people of Vittoriosa had to suffer due to this negative label. The aim of this study was to investigate whether young people from Vittoriosa are still encountering stigma in their daily lives and how this effects their self-esteem and identity development. It also aimed to investigate whether professionals working with these young people believe that this stigma still exists and what coping strategies they are using to help young people overcome these challenges. Through the adoption of a qualitative approach, a focus group was conducted with six young people from Vittoriosa who are greatly involved in different cultural activities. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals working with these young people This in-depth analysis affirmed that the stigma ascribed to Vittoriosa still exists and that, notwithstanding the regeneration and gentrification that has taken place over the past few decades, young people are still experiencing stigma with the prime producers being the media and public discourse. The ramifications of this stigma are diverse and variations thereof depend greatly on young people’s social and educational background. The key role of education, whether formal or informal, was found to be of essence in helping young people overcome this “mark of disgrace” (Goffman, 1963) which in this research study proved to be Vittoriosa itself. Recommendations are based on further research and the role of youth work practice in educating young people to cope with this stigma. In addition, it is recommended that Government, Local Councils and diverse stakeholders, need to organise, support and promote more activities that attract “outsiders” to Vittoriosa and its neighbouring cities so that they experience first hand the positive change that has occurred. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/62441 2023-10-18T08:30:06Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A critical study of morality in Anime and its effect on young people Abstract: During the past 40 years, Anime has emerged from Japan and became a worldwide phenomenon with millions of young people becoming passionately devoted to this art-form. The main objective of this dissertation is to understand what code of morality is transmitted through anime to these young people and how they respond to it. This will be done on two fronts: on the one hand, a philosophical analysis of three particular anime; Death Note, Code Geass and Death Parade will be made, based on the ethics of Immanuel Kant. On the other hand, this work will also conduct six interviews with young people (between the age of 16 and 29) who are fond of anime in order to explore what drives them towards the genre and how they respond to the moral precepts presented by such an art form. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z