By examining the process by which youths residing at the youth independence shelter achieved independence through their communal living experiences, there can be a heightened social understanding of juvenile offenders and youths deemed to be at risk, ...
By examining the process by which youths residing at the youth independence shelter achieved independence through their communal living experiences, there can be a heightened social understanding of juvenile offenders and youths deemed to be at risk, along with suggestions of support plans and directions relating to independence specific to youths residing in independent living institutions, which is the goal of this study.
The basis for the methods of this study are as follows: participant observation, interview, constructing a methodological framework, and an ethnographic approach using document analysis. The study participants were 24 male youths living in youth independence shelters in the Eastern part of Korea. Participant observation took place a total of 50 times over a period of around 15 months from March, 2016 to May, 2017. The interview process lasted from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, and conducted with a total of 7 people (4 youths and 3 volunteers) from November, 2016 to February, 2017. The gathered data was analysed using the Spradley analysis method, and underwent area analysis, classification analysis, and subject analysis using the data analysis software MAXQDA-12.
The study results revealed 3 main topics and 6 sub-topic areas. The experiences of independence of youths participating in the study converged into three areas in accordance with time spent in: pre-occupancy, occupancy in the residential facilities, and post-occupancy.
First, the concept of 'a display of resistance through crime' was explored in the period before the youth assumed occupancy in the youth independence shelter. Occurring subtopics here were: 'experiencing isolation and discrimination', 'a display of resistance and assuming occupancy in the youth independence shelter'. 'Experiencing isolation and discrimination' underwent principle open coding into such areas as: 'deteriorating home environments', 'distrust and rejection of elders', 'feeling exposed to others', and 'materialism'. 'A display of resistance and assuming occupancy in the youth independence shelter' underwent principle open coding into such areas as: 'displaying resistance', 'becoming a juvenile offender', and moving into the youth independence shelter'.
Second, 'a longing for freedom in the face of new socialization' was deemed to be a cultural element relating to independence gained from experience and residing in the youth independence shelter. Emerging subtopic areas were: 'a longing for freedom, breaking away, and returning', and 'experiencing a variety of human relationships and new roles'. 'A longing for freedom, breaking away, and returning' underwent principle open coding into such areas as: 'the breaking away from a longing for freedom', returning for a different sense of independence', and 'somewhere I have to be'. 'Experiencing a variety of human relationships and new roles' underwent principle open coding into such areas as 'interaction with a variety of people', 'new roles', and 'people that I was unable to see during that period'.
Third, 'the commas and full stops of breaking away' relates to what kind of significance is being given to cultural experience relating to freedom in the youth independence shelter which has been advanced by independence. Emerging subtopic areas were: 'pipe dreams', and 'previous living methods and the wall of reality'. 'Pipe dreams' underwent principle open coding into such areas as: 'academics for the future', 'employment preparation', and 'desirable life goals'. 'Previous living methods and the wall of reality' underwent principle open coding into such areas as 'conflict and resistance', 'one who stays and one who leaves', and 'a deteriorating work environment'.
Based on these types of results, discussion can take place on the following three points.
First, youths participating in the study were criminal offenders, for whom members of their broken homes and supporting members of society were unable to control their bad behavior. This indicates the importance of the family unit and a necessity of appropriate intervention at a national level.
Second, youths participating in the study displayed a desire for growth in cases where they felt safe and able to overturn their lacking desires in the youth independence shelter. Those who had not acquired a feeling of safety failed to display a desire for growth. The satisfaction of all other desires (aside from physiological desires) varied depending on the importance placed on them by the individual. At times where psychological desires were satisfied, independence was particularly seen to increase as the participant was staying in the institution.
Third, experiences in the youth independence shelter were insufficient to be integrated into three independence categories (economic·psychological·social). Youths participating in the study showed general difficulties with independence, specifically: a lack of employment preparation and technology consumption (in the area of economic independence), along with psychological anxiety (in the area of psychological independence), and insufficiency in terms of conflict management and solutions, and a lack of social support (in the area of social independence). Additionally, attention was drawn to the fact that youths breaking away from the youth independence shelter who fall into worse living environments are more likely to be deprived of having a chance to gain independence.
Based on the results and discussions arising from this study, the following points were suggested.
First, from an academic perspective, this study provides an understanding of juvenile offenders (residing in the youth independence shelter) who have no one to rely on. It is suggested that follow-up studies take place relating to youths who break away from the youth independence shelter or are forcibly released mid-residence, and that continuing studies take place focusing on youths currently in the process of gaining independence.
Second, support has been deemed necessary which is able to restore balance in the three areas of independence (economic·psychological·social) in the area of facility operation for youths participating in the study. For these youths, the lack of employment preparation leading to them being limited to low-wage simple labor jobs points to the importance of the abovementioned employment preparation. Following this, it is suggested that specialist workers are required in the youth independence shelter for vocational counseling and job-seeking. Additionally, it is suggested that interesting programs be offered for youths residing at the facility who have no intention of transforming themselves, along with a service which for new residents which be offered which is able to provide them with psychological security.
Third, there is the potential for healthy levels of growth in the area of policy relating to the watchful supervision and suitable support given to youths experiencing the most hardship. This study points to the necessity of funding support and personnel supplementation at a national level for the facility's smooth operation and job placement/creation. There is also a necessity for a policy which supports juvenile offenders who have fallen outside of the protection and support of the youth independence shelter.
Lastly, there is a necessity for the heightened awareness of the above issues in society.
Keywords: Youth Independence Center, Juvenile Offenders Who Have No One To Rely On, Economic Independence, Psychological Independence, Social Independence, Hierarchy of Need.