https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6258 2026-04-08T18:08:22Z 2026-04-08T18:08:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6329 2018-05-03T11:48:06Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A comparative study of residential care for Maltese young people and for unaccompanied minors asylum seekers Abstract: Unaccompanied minors asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable and are to be treated in a way that is well-suited for their needs. They need to be placed in a secure accommodation which provides them with support to recover from physical and psychological trauma. The housing conditions play an important role to shape their sense of security and belonging. This qualitative study is exploratory in nature and the focus is on the similarities and differences that exist in the provision of residential care for local young people and for those offered specifically for unaccompanied minors asylum seekers. The study looked at the way residential care developed on the island of Malta over the years by looking into the local legal framework and the National Standards for Out-of-Home child care and the way these are reflected into practice. The ecological framework was adopted as conceptual framework for the study in order to provide a better understanding on the impact the environment has on the development of young people. A number of interviews were carried out with a number of stakeholders working in the field of residential care in order to obtain a better understanding from their experiences. The results demonstrate significant differences in the way St Patrick’s Residential Home for Boys is run when compared to Dar is-Sliem with regards to the physical setting, the number of staff and motivation, managerial commitment and communication from top to bottom and from bottom to top. The most starking contrast is that of the onus being on creating a home vis-à-vis securitization, reflecting perhaps the broader context, public and political discourse on these two groups of young people in Malta. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6281 2015-11-10T13:22:55Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Minimal age of criminal responsibility : was Malta’s recent change a change for the better? Abstract: This dissertation is focused on the Juvenile Justice System, both in Malta and abroad, with emphasis placed on the Minimal Age of Criminal Responsibility. The first chapter is an introduction, explaining the ins and outs of Juvenile Justice Systems. The second chapter is divided into three subsections, each focusing on an individual country’s Juvenile Justice System. These countries are Malta, England and Canada. Chapter three details the research methods used for this study, while the fourth chapter consists of the findings and analysis of the study. The final chapter consists of a discussion and concluding remarks on how Malta can improve its Juvenile Justice System. The aim of this dissertation was to find out what prompted the recent change in local legislation that lead to the raising of the Minimal Age of Criminal Responsibility and whether this change was beneficial to the to the Maltese Juvenile Justice System. This study finds that the change in Minimal Age of Criminal Responsibility was likely due to general, external pressure for change. This study also finds that there are both positive and negative aspects to the change in legislation. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6280 2015-11-10T13:15:20Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Lifelong learning skills development through informal learning in youth centres within the Maltese context Abstract: Youth centers were always and still are considered of crucial importance in Maltese youth policies, as also are important informal learning and lifelong learning. This study explores whether through informal learning within Maltese youth centres, metacognition process, and hence the development of metacognitive skills, are being addressed, implemented and developed to equip youth with lifelong learning skills. Metacognitive skills development are considered by many theorists as a foundational aspect in the lifelong learning discourse, since lifelong learning promotes the idea of effective learning and lifetime skills development not only through formal learning but also through informal learning in one’s lifetime. All this also in the light of a learning and a knowledge based society. The investigation was carried out by using a qualitative approach to research, using the interview as the main qualitative method. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6279 2015-11-10T13:13:01Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Behind closed doors : the creation and experience of the female prostitute Abstract: This study attempted to unravel the contingencies related to female prostitution in Malta: what triggers off prostitution, what are the factors related to continued engagement in prostitution, and possible desistance. By taking a life history career approach, the researcher examined the lived experience of the research participants’ engagement in prostitution from late adolescence to adulthood. To this effect, participants were encouraged to reflect upon the research questions noted above retrospectively. Recruitment was effected through purposive sampling. The research participants were females, adults over eighteen years of age, and with a history of prostitution. For the purpose of this study five semi-structured interviews were carried out with females who have a history of prostitution. Findings revealed a number of factors which are believed to influence the engagement of females in prostitution. The family resulted to be a very prominent contingent in this regard, including the exposure to prostitution through family members. Relationships with peers, and problematic experiences at school also played a significant role. The link with substance abuse, violence and the domination of pimps over prostitutes also emerged while scrutinizing the experience of the research participants’ engagement in sex work. The idea of sex workers as a subcultural community and sex work as a career also emerged. The study’s implications for youth work practice include the provision of outreach in areas with a high concentration of delinquent behaviour where those young people which are considered as hard to reach will be offered youth work services within their own community where they can be more reachable. Description: B.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z