Abstract:
Whenever adolescents generate fighting, they are always seen as problem makers for society. One question about the concept of LOVE of adolescents is emerged. The question is Do adolescents with quarrel behaviors think about LOVE? Based on Watsons Human Care theory and Fromms Theory of Love, the objective of this qualitative research was to explore meanings and values of LOVE among adolescents
with quarrel behaviors. Ten participants, 5 female and 5 male students studying in the vocational schools under the Ministry of Education, Chon Buri, were purposively selected. All of the participants had experiences of involving in fighting and had been punished one way or another. Story telling with drawing together with in-depth interview was used in collecting data.
Semi-structure questions guided the interview. Thematic technique was utilized for data analysis.
The findings of this study indicated 5 meanings of LOVE among those adolescents which consisted of: 1) love is offering with willingness, 2) love is being there, 3) love is open-minded and accepting real self of others, 4) love is caring and being considerate, and
5) love is being involved. Through story telling, willingness and acts that represented 6 values
of LOVE were emerged. When they knew love, 1) they desired to be a good person, 2) they felt relaxed and relieved, 3) they felt nourished, 4) they knew how to appreciate life, 5) they knew how to make others happy, and 6) they knew how to do for others.
The findings of this study revealed that adolescents with quarrel behaviors reflected the meanings of LOVE positively. The meanings of LOVE among these adolescents are authenticity, consideration, acceptance and being involved. Thus, nurses and others could apply these findings in order to aware, communicate and take care of them. By doing so, developmental tasks and productive ways in living with others and society could be promoted.