Voices of Adolescents in Residential Care Facilities: A Case of Alpha Cottages

Abstract

The study explored the future aspirations of adolescents living in residential care institutions in an urban setting. Adolescents end up in these facilities due to numerous reasons that may include abuse, parental illness, abandonment, war, and natural disasters. Residential care institutions provide adolescents with a nurturing environment that enables them to tackle life challenges during adolescence, such as goal setting and identify formation. The purpose of the study was to explore the aspirations of adolescents in residential care institutions. The study was grounded on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), proposed by Deci and Ryan (1985) which assumes that people are intrinsically motivated to improve. The study adopted the qualitative approach to research and explored the voices of adolescents in residential care facilities using a case study research design. The target population for the study were adolescents staying at a residential care facility in Masvingo urban. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to solicit data from 15 adolescents within the 13-19 age range. The sample comprised 8 females and 7 males who were purposively sampled. It emerged that adolescents have access to career guidance and individual counselling services that enable them to plan for their future and pursue their goals. All the adolescent participants had access to education. The study found that adolescents aspired to achieve independence and professional success. However, there was a lack of adequate resources for studying. The study recommends the improvement of infrastructure and provision of adequate resources to empower adolescents to pursue their goals and lead fulfilling lives.