Exposure of Rural Youth to Violence

Abstract

Guruve Growth point is defined by youth violence during political election times. The study therefore sought to establish youth participation in violence and related implications thereto. The study was qualitatively conducted in an exploratory way. Interviews were used to collect data from 30 youth purposively sampled. Content analysis employed within the realm of the Grounded Theory was used to analyse data. The study was guided by the Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory. The study found out that there were youth problem behaviours across societies defined by violence. It also identified some of the factors influencing youth violence. Political youth violence has created a cycle of violence and unending hostilities amongst neighbours based on political orientation. A culture of tolerance and co-existence has to be gradually inculcated into the youth from the basic socialisation institutions to address youth violence.

Keywords: Youth violence, political violence, participation, growth point, rural areas, exposure