THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

I used three theoretical frameworks as a lens for carrying out the study. The three theories used were the wellness model, ubuntu philosophy and the bio-ecological theory.

1.8.1 Wellness Model

The wellness model of Hetler (1976) advocates for the holistic development of an individual by ensuring that the six key areas or dimensions in a person’s life are developed in order for that individual to attain complete wellness.

Wellness is not only viewed as the absence of diseases in an individual but rather as the wellbeing of an individual as a whole (Kirsten et al. 2009). In the wellness journey, an individual continues to look for possible improvements in his or her life (Jager, Bensley & Jager 2003). Wellness is multi-dimensional in nature and consists of different dimensions that one needs to attain to live a balanced life (Schaffer 2000). This study focused on the six dimensions of wellness that juvenile offenders need to attain in order to be effectively rehabilitated. The six dimensions as stated by Hetler (1976) are physical, social, occupational or career, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. The approach to wellness regards a human being as a whole and so certain attributes cannot be separated such as body and mind (Kirsten et al. 2009). The wellbeing of a person is the outcome of the interplay between socio and bio-psychological processes (Jordaan & Jordaan 2000). Accordingly, Kirsten et al. (2009) further state that a disturbance in one dimension or domain affects the whole and this may be detrimental to the wellbeing of the individual. The mind, emotions, spirit and behaviour are some of the different domains in an individual (Kirsten et al. 2009).

This theory helped the researcher to explore the various wellness dimensions among juvenile offenders and how these dimensions can be promoted to facilitate effective juvenile rehabilitation. Attaining wellness helps the individual to contribute to the wellbeing of people around him and to contribute to the common good of the larger community (Jager et al. 2003). If an offender attains wellness, he or she is likely to be accepted in the community and this acceptance may lead to smooth reintegration.

The main focus of wellness is on lifestyle behaviour that contributes towards a person living life to their fullest potential (Rachelle et al. 2013). In studying juvenile offenders, the researcher was able to explore deeply how their holistic development could lead to effective rehabilitation.

1.8.1.1 Physical wellness

Physical wellness entails taking part in physical activities that enhance physical wellbeing and avoiding activities that are harmful to physical wellbeing (Schaffer 2000). Some of the activities include regular physical exercises and healthy eating habits (Hetler 1976). Juvenile offenders also need to participate in physical activities to ensure their physical wellness is maintained despite being in custody.

It involves building physical strength, endurance and flexibility which may lead to the juvenile looking good physically at the same time as avoiding bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse. When one looks good, self-esteem, determination and self-control are boosted (Virtebo University 2006). A juvenile offender who has a positive self-esteem is likely to positively interact with people in his community and can be easily reintegrated.

1.8.1.2 Social wellness

Social wellness puts emphasis on the interdependence of individuals in society by encouraging individuals to contribute positively in their communities for the good of all (Virtebo University 2006). A person who attains social wellness puts the interests and welfare of his or her community first instead of his or her own (Hetler 1976).

1.8.1.3 Occupational or career wellness

Through the world of work, an individual achieves personal satisfaction and enrichment when he attains occupational wellness (Hetler 1976). The above author further explains that with occupational wellness an individual is able to choose a career that is consistent with his or her personal values, interests and beliefs. Juvenile offenders who attain this wellness dimension may be in a better position to choose careers that suit them. Choosing a career that suits the personality of an individual helps him or her to achieve job satisfaction.

With free education provided by the DCS, juvenile offenders have the opportunity to receive proper training in preparation for careers. Training is one way in which a career wellness path can be followed (Jager et al. 2003). A skilled juvenile may also be of benefit to his or her community if the skills attained are used in the community and this can also be a way of giving back to the community.

1.8.1.4 Intellectual wellness

Intellectual wellness is defined as the individual’s ability to display critical thinking and to make sound decisions (Hetler 1976). An intellectually well person has an ongoing quest to acquire new ideas and critical thinking skills (Schafer 2000). A juvenile offender with intellectual wellness becomes a lifelong learner who keeps on seeking more information and knowledge. In the long run, such an individual approaches life with an open mind (Schafer 2000).

Teachers in correctional schools may promote intellectual wellness of juvenile offenders through providing activities that stimulate critical thinking and help offenders keep abreast with current affairs (Hetler 1976). This can be done by providing newspapers, magazines and other reading materials. They can also be asked to do role-play where they make decisions on different scenarios.

1.8.1.5 Emotional wellness

When an individual attains emotional wellness, he becomes aware of his or her feelings, accepts them and feels positive and enthusiastic about himself or herself and life in general (Virtebo University 2006). The negative environment in correctional centres mostly affects juveniles negatively (Macomber et al. 2010). This may raise their stress levels and affect them negatively emotionally. The attainment of emotional wellness helps individuals to cope with stress effectively, accept themselves, be optimistic and have a positive self-esteem (Hetler 1976). For this reason, emotionally well juveniles who feel good about themselves are more likely to positively interact with members of their communities. Positive interaction may therefore result in successful reintegration into society.

1.8.1.6 Spiritual wellness

Spiritual wellness means the continuous search for meaning and one’s purpose in the human environment with the desire to attain inner peace (Schaffer 2000). When spiritual wellness has been attained, there is congruence in a person’s actions and values (Hetler 1976). An incarcerated juvenile offender with a tormented soul may stay focused if he or she attains inner peace. According to Hetler (1976), individuals derive meaning from religion, art, music and meditation. If juvenile offenders are spiritually well, they may be more easily reintegrated into their communities as they will easily realise their purpose in life.

1.8.2 Ubuntu Philosophy

Ubuntu is an African philosophy that embraces inclusion by defining a person’s

humanity in relation to how he or she relates with other people (Mandela 1994). Ubuntu emphasises on how an individual’s humanity is valued by members of his or her community based on how that individual relates with them (Nyaumwe & Mkabela 2007). Juvenile delinquents who get incarcerated for committing crime should be rehabilitated and prove their worth in their communities so that other members of the community can embrace them. With a dented image in the community where they commit crime, it may not be easy for them to be accepted by community members. It is therefore prudent that these offenders should be effectively rehabilitated so that they can be embraced by their communities and be smoothly reintegrated.

In a community that embraces ubuntu, members share both joy and sorrow and a pain in a member of the community is regarded as a pain to all (Nussbaum 2003). Rehabilitation should therefore instill into juvenile offenders the spirit of empathy so they can understand the pain they caused others when they commit crime. A sense of community is the guiding principle of living in a society that embraces ubuntu and, therefore, each member of society is expected to work for the benefit of all who live there (Nussbaum 2003; Nyaumwe & Mkabela 2007). In rehabilitating juveniles, it is important to ensure that the criminal behaviour is eliminated and that they are taught the values necessary for surviving in society.

1.8.3 Bronfenbrenner’s Bio-Ecological Theory

The bio-ecological theory, also known as the ecosystemic perspective, looks at how systems around an individual affect his or development and states that any disturbance that occurs in any system affects the development of the individual (Donald, Lazarus & Lolwana 2010). Both the immediate and wider systems are viewed as playing vital roles in the development of an individual. This theory emphasises that, in terms of child development, the focus should not only be on the immediate environment but also on the interactions that takes place on a larger scale. A juvenile offender needs to interact with a wide range of systems in order to be effectively rehabilitated.

Rehabilitation should therefore not be left solely in the hands of the DCS but a range of stakeholders should take active roles to ensure its success. From the bio-ecological perspective, the immediate systems such as the family, peers and the school as well as the wider systems such as the political and economic environment have a direct influence on the effectiveness of the rehabilitation of juveniles.

The systems that affect the development of an individual are identified as the micro, meso, exo and macro systems (Donald et al. 2010). The micro system is the immediate system that a child or individual interacts with on a daily basis such as the family and peers. The meso system is made up of a set of systems that can affect the individual and interact with each other on an ongoing basis. These may include negative influences from the peer group where an individual belongs. The exo system refers to the system that has no direct link with the individual but affects people with whom he or she has proximal relationships such as a parent who loses a job. The macro system on the other hand refers to the dominant economic and social structures such as beliefs, values and practices that may influence the individual. This may include the distribution of resources done by the state such as budgets allocated for juvenile offender rehabilitation.

1.9 RESEARCH DESIGN