The psycho-social effects of anti-school culture on primary school age children in Malta

Abstract

This study focuses on the psycho-social effects of anti-shool culture on primary school-aged-children. Anti-school culture is comprised of families where the parents intentionally deprive their children from attending school. In the first two chapters, the author of the study attempts to delineate some of the differences between absenteeism among the mainstream culture and that within anti-school culture whilst literature is reviewed. Possible traits that might contribute to the formation of this sub-culture are also outlined. Following this, the findings of the questionnaire administered to six families and their primary school-aged children, considered by education social workers as anti-school culture are presented and also analyzed by comparing issues discussed in the literature review and factors which emerged while interviewing these families. The responses give a very basic view of some of the characteristics commonly found among this sub-culture. Finally, the author presents the concluding comments and puts forward relevant recommendations for social work practice in the area of anti-school culture.