Disengaged boys challenge education for moral purposes – a pilot study from Finland

Abstract

This pilot study investigates teenage boys engaging in delinquent behaviors. We were eager to find out what kind of subjective purposes the boys identify themselves with and what kind of factors the boys perceive in their purpose development. The theoretical framework of the study was built on Damon’s purpose conceptualization. Methods used were group intervention and follow-up interviews during a 5-year period. The content analysis was abductive and inductive. Firstly, the boys’ focus was on immoral purposes and substance use played a central role alongside money and a job. Later, the boys also identified themselves with prosocial purposes. The school’s disciplinary actions with excessively harsh or gentle communication together with the boys’ low self-esteem were seen as inhibiting factors. Enhancing factors included frank discussions with their family or other adults and the opportunity to win appreciation through work. The results are discussed regarding their impact on education and gender-sensitive guidance.