Maori family culture: a context of youth development in Counties/Manukau
Loading...
Date
2007
DOI
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Royal Society of New Zealand
Rights
Abstract
This paper reports on a study designed to bring the voices of young people directly into the social science literature on environmental influences on wellbeing. We analyse accounts from young Maori about their families and the roles they play in their lives in order to focus on strengths and positive resources for the promotion of youth wellbeing.
Interview data were gathered from 12 females and 15 males, aged between 12 and 25 years, resident in the Counties/Manukau region. Participants who were managing satisfactorily in their lives were purposively selected for diversity of background and circumstances. Our “lifestory” approach sought narrative accounts of both everyday experience and the highs and lows of life; data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using discursive methods.
Clusters of themes relating to family environments including relationships with parents, siblings and extended kin groups emerged. Participants provided detailed and nuanced accounts of family cultures, reporting on conflict, caring, gender issues, sensitivity, discipline, levels of guidance and forms of support.
Description
Keywords
Maori, Whanau, Family, Culture, Youth, Development, Wellbeing
Citation
Edwards, S., McCreanor, T., & Moewaka Barnes, H. (2007). Maori family culture: a context of youth development in Counties/Manukau. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 2(1), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2007.9522420