[01] Esmeranda Manful, Department of Sociology and Social Work; Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. [02] Priscilla Boatemaa Appiah, Department of Sociology and Social Work; Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. [03] Nelson Gyasi-Boadu, Department of Sociology and Social Work; Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Studies over the years have shown that, domestic violence in Africa is often in relation to expected gender roles and is described as a manifestation of socially accepted normal behaviour patterns that allow men to exercise control over women. This influences socialisation of adolescents who might accept violence as a norm and even those who were not directly exposed to domestic violence in their adolescence sometimes becoming perpetrators or victims. Yet there are few studies focusing on the general population of adolescents and exploring their perception of domestic violence. This paper discusses findings of a qualitative study conducted in one of the cities in Ghana, Kumasi. Using semi-structured interview guide 32 adolescents within two identified communities were interviewed. The study revealed that the perception of domestic violence of the adolescents within the two communities were the same irrespective of the fact they were from different socio-economic backgrounds. Also the adolescents acknowledged that violence between intimate partners is an unacceptable behaviour yet it is a socially permissive tool for conformity. The study concluded that perceptions of domestic violence can only change if there is a more concerted effort to change behaviours of adolescents, through life skills such as communication and relationship building skills which will empower them to be assertive in situations that deviates from the socially expected behaviour instead of resorting to violence.

Adolescents, Africa, CEDAW, Domestic Violence, Ghana, Qualitative Research

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