Black and white South African university students' perceptions of self and country: An exploratory study

In this study the personal perceptions and national aspirations of 236 black and white students enrolled at three university campuses in South Africa in 1992 were examined. The Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale was used to determine the best and worst possible outcomes for themselves and their country. Research results indicated: (a) both black and white student respondents were strongly committed to their country at the time of the survey; (b) although the students came from diverse ethnic communities and were linked to society in unique ways, they shared similar national goals; (c) while embracing different political parties, these black and white youth identified with the ideological center; and (d) both black and white students rejected their apartheid past and were optimistic about their own and their country's future. The 'storm and stress' model of youth was not supported in this exploratory study, nor did the heightened era of social change disrupt the black and white students' commit...