Sukhminder Kaur

Indicators of sexual harassment experienced by the rural school going adolescent girls in Punjab

Women are often subjected to groping, suggestive remarks, whistling, catcalls and the like by men in public places like market, malls, streets and roads, movie halls, in buses etc. The present study to identify the indicators of sexual harassment experienced by rural school going adolescent girls was taken up in one block of Ludhiana district of Punjab state. The sample consisted of 200 respondents who were in the age range of 16-18 years and the data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire relating to various aspects of sexual harassment. Majority of the adolescent girls experienced verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment. Significant differences were observed in the physical sexual harassment experienced by the younger and older adolescents; older adolescents experienced more physical sexual harassment. The most common non-verbal indicators of sexual harassment experienced by the adolescents were whistling, winking and staring whereas receiving general comments and suggestive songs were identified as verbal indicators. Rubbing against in crowded places and pushing against in public transport were found to be the most prevalent form of physical sexual harassment.

Self-Concept and Academic Achievement of Rural School Going Children Engaged in Agricultural Activities:A Correlational Study

The present study was undertaken on rural school going children engaged in agricultural labour with the objectives to determine the self-concept of the children and find out the relationship of self-concept with the academic achievement of the children. The sample consisted of 160 children (both boys and girls) in the age range of 10-14 years. The tools used to collect the data were; Personal Information Sheet to record the demographic profile of the children, a self-concept inventory developed by Saraswat (1992) to determine the self-concept of the children and the information relating to academic achievement was obtained from school records. The results revealed that self-concept of girls was found to be higher as compared to the boys and it was found to be positively correlated with the academic achievement. The total self-concept of both boys and girls was found to be positively correlated with academic achievement. The correlation was found to be highly positively significant for both girls (r-value= 0.71; P<0.01) and boys (r-value= 0.68; P<0.01). Highly significant differences were observed among girls and boys on various dimensions of self concept such as social, educational, moral and intellectual.

Prevailing Practices of Rural Mothers Regarding Construction, Use and Care of Diapers

Abstract This study was carried out on rural mothers of Jalandhar district in Punjab state. Most of the rural mothers made use of diapers up to the age of six months. Soft cotton material was preferred by them being low in cost, easy to wash and wear as well as durable too. None of the rural mothers used plastic diapers for babies at home except during travelling. Colour, design and attractiveness of the diapers were least preferred by them. They also narrated the reason for diaper rash for being wet and tight by majority of the mothers followed by use of synthetic/blended material, use of hard soap, never boiled, disinfected and bleached under sunlight.

Adolescent Perceptions and Extent of Abusive Parenting in Single Parent and Intact Families

Abstract Present study was undertaken to document the adolescent perceptions and extent of abusive parenting in single parent and intact families. The sample, consisting of 200 adolescents both boys and girls (100 each from single parent and intact families) in the age group of 13-16 years was selected from co-educational Senior Secondary Schools of Ludhiana city. Data were collected by using a personal information sheet and a self structured interview schedule relating to abusive parenting. Adolescents from intact families perceived their parents as more abusive on various dimensions such as nature of parents, school regularity, discouragement, criticizing attitude and ignoring behaviour of parents; boys experienced more punishment than girls. The most common method used for physical punishment was slapping (80.67%) followed by other methods such as twisting of ear (47%), spanking (24%), kicking (18%) and beating (26%) etc. Guidelines to parents for appropriate parenting/disciplinary techniques were suggested.

Incidence of Abusive Parenting in Single Parent and Intact Families as Perceived by the Adolescents

Abstract The present study was undertaken to document the incidence of abusive parenting in single parent and intact families. The sample, consisting of 200 adolescents both boys and girls (100 each from single parent and intact families) in the age group of 13-16 years was selected from co-educational Senior Secondary Schools of Ludhiana city. Data were collected by using a Personal Information Sheet and a self structured Interview Schedule relating to abusive parenting. Varying degree of abusive parenting was reported by 81 per cent adolescents; 59 per cent experiencing low abusive parenting and 22 per cent high, in both single parent and intact families. Adolescents from intact families perceived their parents as more abusive on various dimensions such as nature of parents, school regularity, discouraging, criticizing and ignoring attitude of parents; boys were punished more than girls. A total of 59.50 per cent adolescents experienced physical punishment and the most common mode used for punishment was slapping (80.67%) and the adolescents experienced injuries (20.16%) also such as bruises, bleeding, burns and even bone fractures.