Exploring youth citizenship during COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand

The research presented in this article explores how young people in New Zealand exercised their citizenship during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Building upon the theoretical concepts of ‘actions’ and ‘acts of citizenship’, this qualitative study draws on data from the experiences of 30 young people aged over 16 in the city of Auckland. Data included classroom observations, focus group interviews, individual interviews and the sharing of student artefacts (e.g. posters and videos). The experiences of the participants covered a wide range of engagement in citizenship rights, sites, scales and acts. Our findings offered an alternative to prevailing portrayals of young people as either passive victims or self-centred troublemakers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons for citizenship education are discussed at the end of the article.

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THE TROUBLED JOURNEYS OF SCHOOL DROP-OUTS: WASTAGE, REDEMPTION AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Commonwealth Youth and Development ◽

10.25159/1727-7140/1604 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Andile Dube ◽

Mokubung Nkomo

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Young People ◽

Labour Market ◽

Training And Development ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Second Chance Education ◽

Qualitative Research Methodology ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Drop Outs ◽

Second Chance

The study traces the pathways of young people who dropped out of school between grades 1 to 11 as they seek re-entrance to the education, training and development (ETD) system, or entrance into the labour market. Particular attention is given to the factors that determine the choices that drop-outs make in either re-entering the ETD system or entering the labour market. An analysis of the experiences of the interviewed sample of drop-outs is presented. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, using interviews to elicit the experiences of drop-outs and school managers. Through snowballing, 14 youths and three principals were selected from a township south of Durban. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted. The findings provide insights into the drop-outsâ€™ perceptions regarding the value of investing in education. They are discussed further in relation to the respective theories used in the study. The concluding section suggests the need for investments in second chance education by government and the private sector, and proposes an integrated model to assist young people who re-enter psychologically and emotionally.

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“Just Be Strong, You Will Get through It” a Qualitative Study of Young Migrants’ Experiences of Settling in New Zealand

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031292 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1292

Author(s):

Enoka De Jacolyn ◽

Karolina Stasiak ◽

Judith McCool

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Inductive Method ◽

Social Changes ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Acculturation Process ◽

Migrant Youth ◽

Support Seeking ◽

New Beginnings ◽

Group Interviews

Migration, when it occurs during adolescence, is particularly challenging as it coincides with a myriad of other developmental and social changes. The present study set out to explore recent young migrants’ experiences of settling in New Zealand. The qualitative study aimed to identify areas of particular challenge, examples of resilience and new insights into the acculturation process. Focus group interviews were conducted with migrant youth aged 16–19 from three urban secondary schools in Auckland The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a general inductive method. Key themes centered on new beginnings, confronting new realities, acceptance, support seeking and overcoming challenges. Young migrants in this study shared similar challenges during the early post-migration period. They were often faced with additional responsibility, being caught between two cultures while struggling with communication and language. However, they were able to draw on their own self-growth, gratitude, and social connections. This study provides an insight into experiences of young migrants in New Zealand, and offers suggestions for developing culturally relevant support to foster migrant youth wellbeing.

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Change in store? An investigation into the impact of the book superstore environment on use, perceptions and expectations of the public library as a space, place and experience

Library and Information Research ◽

10.29173/lirg158 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 28 (88) ◽

pp. 13-26

Author(s):

Helen Cartwright

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Focus Group ◽

Public Library ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Community Resource ◽

Middle Income ◽

The Public ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Perceptions And Expectations ◽

The Impact

The book superstore is promoted not just as a place to buy books but also as a community resource in which to read, learn and socialise: traits that have in combination traditionally been the preserve of the public library. This study investigates the impact of the bookstore environment on public library space. The attitudes and behaviours of library and bookstore users were examined through focus group interviews and a self-completed questionnaire. Clear areas of overlap in the functions of the two sites were found, as was evidence of age and income-related splits in use and perception of bookstores and libraries. Results suggest attention should be paid to the beliefs and behaviours of young people and middle-income earners (the groups most noticeably increasing their use of the bookstore) and to the desired balance of education and recreation in the image and nature of the public library.

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Pi-kaPika: A qualitative study for trainer-owned Pokémon

10.21203/rs.3.rs-927173/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ka-Huen Yip

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Young People ◽

Focus Group ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Social Activity ◽

Childhood Memories ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Motivation Factors ◽

Group Interviews

Abstract Objective To explore insights of young people’s experiences and motivations in Pokémon GO in Hong Kong. The perspectives of young people through qualitative focus group interviews. Results Eight focus group discussions with young people (n=45; age from 18-25 years old) recruited in Hong Kong. We analysed the discussions using a thematic approach. Five theme categories emerged from data analysis: missing out or self-regulation, childhood memories of Pokémon, extending virtual-reality exploration, spending more time outdoors for walking and exercise, gathering together and socially interacting with others. This study sets the way for a deeper analysis of motivation factors to young people that indicate the increasing playing location-based game (LBG) via smartphones worldwide among all cohorts of society. This relatively new phenomenon of LBG may impact players’ movement, social activity, and behaviour to gain a common goal into the preferences and effects of playing LBG for young people.

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Requirements Elicitation of Passengers With Reduced Mobility for the Design of High Quality, Accessible and Inclusive Public Transport Services

Management and Production Engineering Review ◽

10.1515/mper-2015-0028 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 70-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Beata Starzyńska ◽

Agnieszka Kujawińska ◽

Marta Grabowska ◽

Jacek Diakun ◽

Ewa Więcek-Janka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Transport Services ◽

Urban Public Transport ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Reduced Mobility ◽

Partially Sighted ◽

The City ◽

Public Transport Services

Abstract In this article the authors present the methodology adopted and the results obtained in the first stage of the research encompassing focus group interviews (FGI) about the needs of public transport users in a selected city (Poznań). The elicitation and assessment of the requirements were carried out for three groups of people with disabilities using public transport in the city of Poznań: blind and partially sighted people, deaf and hearing-impaired people, as well as people with locomotor dysfunctions. A study carried out on the basis of a scenario especially designed for the FGI purpose has made it possible to identify barriers for people with disabilities and, consequently, to formulate their pre-trip,on-trip and post-trip requirements when it comes to urban public transport services. The results will be used to construct a questionnaire to be used further on in the project.

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What's the Story?: Exploring Parent–Teacher Communication through ePortfolios

Australasian Journal of Early Childhood ◽

10.23965/ajec.42.4.02 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 13-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amanda Higgins ◽

Sue Cherrington

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Document Analysis ◽

Electronic Portfolios ◽

Communication Tool ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Teacher Communication ◽

Childhood Education ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Reported Data

ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS (ePORTFOLIOS) ARE a relatively new phenomenon in early childhood education (ECE) with minimal existing research available on their use and effectiveness as a learning and communication tool in ECE. This article reports on a study examining the influence of ePortfolios on parent–teacher communication in one early childhood (EC) service. Reported data has been drawn from online surveys, document analysis of ePortfolios, individual interviews and focus group interviews with parents and teachers. Thematic analysis identified two main themes: the benefits and drawbacks of communicating via the ePortfolio, and the types of communication that were evident.

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How to increase chlamydia testing in primary care: a qualitative exploration with young people and application of a meta-theoretical model

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-054309 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 96 (8) ◽

pp. 571-581

Author(s):

Lorraine K McDonagh ◽

Hannah Harwood ◽

John M Saunders ◽

Jackie A Cassell ◽

Greta Rait

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Young People ◽

Sampling Methods ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Potential Intervention ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Chlamydia Testing ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Uk

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore young people’s perspectives barriers to chlamydia testing in general practice and potential intervention functions and implementation strategies to overcome identified barriers, using a meta-theoretical framework (the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW)).MethodsTwenty-eight semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 16–24 year olds from across the UK. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used (eg, youth organisations, charities, online platforms and chain-referrals). An inductive thematic analysis was first conducted, followed by thematic categorisation using the BCW.ResultsParticipants identified several barriers to testing: conducting self-sampling inaccurately (physical capability); lack of information and awareness (psychological capability); testing not seen as a priority and perceived low risk (reflective motivation); embarrassment, fear and guilt (automatic motivation); the UK primary care context and location of toilets (physical opportunity) and stigma (social opportunity). Potential intervention functions raised by participants included education (eg, increase awareness of chlamydia); persuasion (eg, use of imagery/data to alter beliefs); environmental restructuring (eg, alternative sampling methods) and modelling (eg, credible sources such as celebrities). Potential implementation strategies and policy categories discussed were communication and marketing (eg, social media); service provision (eg, introduction of a young person’s health-check) and guidelines (eg, standard questions for healthcare providers).ConclusionsThe BCW provided a useful framework for conceptually exploring the wide range of barriers to testing identified and possible intervention functions and policy categories to overcome said barriers. While greater education and awareness and expanded opportunities for testing were considered important, this alone will not bring about dramatic increases in testing. A societal and structural shift towards the normalisation of chlamydia testing is needed, alongside approaches which recognise the heterogeneity of this population. To ensure optimal and inclusive healthcare, researchers, clinicians and policy makers alike must consider patient diversity and the wider health issues affecting all young people.

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A care deficit? The roles of families and faith-based organisations in the lives of youth at the margins in Pretoria Central

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies ◽

10.4102/hts.v74i3.5005 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Marlize Rabe

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Young People ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Safety Net ◽

Dropping Out ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Faith Based ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Care Deficit

After completing or dropping out of school, many young people leave their family households and in some cases they move from rural or semi-rural areas to urban centres. Faith-based organisations (FBOs) in major cities in South Africa sometimes act as a safety net for marginalised youth, especially as government departments are overburdened and not addressing all the needs of youth at the margins. This qualitative research is based on an analysis of individual and focus group interviews undertaken with young people living in the central areas of Pretoria. It is shown how families and FBOs engage as separate, although at times not unrelated, entities in the lives of youth at the margins. In certain cases, the FBO became an institution of last resort and only in rare cases is a certain synergy achieved between FBOs and families.

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Liberal alcohol policy in mundane reasoning

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.1177/145507250001700204 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 80-96

Author(s):

Jukka Törrönen

Keyword(s):

Mass Media ◽

Public Administration ◽

Reference Group ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

The State ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

Homogeneous Ideal ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Group Interviews ◽

The City

The study looks at the changing relationships between the citizen and the state in the context of two case studies, concerned with the dismantling of restrictive alcohol policy in Finland. The first is based on a reception research in which key persons interpret two editorials on alcohol policy, one in defence of a (neo)liberal alcohol policy, the second in favour of a regulated welfare-state alcohol policy. The recipients were selected from three occupational fields in the city of Lahti in southern Finland representing politics, the mass media, and trade union branches. The second is based on focus group interviews among influentials in Helsinki and Tallinn. In both cities the groups were chosen from three fields: mass media, economy, and public administration (the article deals only with the Finnish part of the material). The key persons' argumentation is interpreted as identity speech dealing with the spatial, temporal, and positional aspects of ‘reference group’ values. The study shows that liberal alcohol policy predominates, not as a homogeneous ideal of freedom shared by all but as manifold forms of liberalism. Three strains of liberalism are identified: utopian, expressive, and cynical. All of them adopt a negative attitude towards the state, believe in the markets, have an aspiration for freedom, and interpret individuality as an obligation.

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