Theatre as therapy against aggressive behaviour among teenagers in Uyo and Ado Ekiti of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the use of drama therapy, which is a genre of Drama-in-Education as a tool for curbing aggressive and violent behaviours among  adolescents in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, respectively. The rate of aggressive and violent behaviours among adolescent both at  home and the school environments has become alarming that it has become a threat to Nigeria society at large; both to the adolescents concern; their  parents; school proprietors and authorities. Using qualitative research methodology; these researchers analysed data from 30 participants who  participated in D.I.E. workshop in Ado-Ekiti and 50 participants who participated in D.I.E workshop in Uyo, respectively. The results revealed that the rates  of youth feeling unsafe in their school environment, bringing weapons to school, and engaging in physical fighting on school property continue is on the  increase. Findings however, revealed that with the use of Drama-in-Education as a tool as executed with the adolescents of these cities: there is the  likelihood of D.I.E eradicating or possibly ameliorating aggressive and violent behaviours among adolescents. The study thus recommends the  integration and use of Drama-in-Education as instructional method that is participatory in nature as an antidote to aggressive and violent behaviours  among adolescents.