The definition of deviance among primary school pupils, staff and parents

Abstract

This is just to give an overview of this dissertation. This study focuses on the definition of deviant behaviour within the school system; more precisely in a primary school, low-streamed class in year 6. The researcher's main interest is to try to find out what are the main causes for the pupils to behave defiantly. However, since the researcher focused on a one particular class, the sample was too small when compared with the whole population, so one cannot generalise because findings may change within different contexts. Various studies were conducted previously on this topic. There are factors external to school and factors internal to school. Some argue that for some individuals, it is part of their free will to engage in these types of acts, therefore they choose to do so. However, there are others who keep back from engaging in these types of acts. So one may ask 'What leads deviant people to act like this?' 'Why do they do so?' This dissertation will try to compare its :findings with what previous researchers found out earlier, at different times within different contexts and see whether they are still applicable for today or not and finally propose what should be done. Many argue that the maJor causes to deviant behaviour are family backgrounds, peers and media. However, there may be causes which rise from within the school system in itself Some other people maintain that up to a certain extend the family backgrounds, peers and the media should not always be blamed; in spite that in some cases the school itself fails to integrate all its pupils within its system.