Masters Degrees (Social work)

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The life experiences of children orphaned on account of HIV and AIDS.
(2009) Ramsuran, Shamitha Inderlall.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
The goal of this study was to explore the experiences of children who were orphaned on account of HIV and AIDS as well as the experiences of their caregivers, thereby improving the knowledge base of practitioners working with children and their caregivers.This qualitative study was designed to answer the following research questions: • What are the experiences of children orphaned on account of HIV and AIDS? • What consequences does the HIV and AIDS pandemic have on children? • How do children cope with AIDS-related loss and grief? • What are the caregiver’s roles, experiences and perceptions regarding children orphaned on the account of HIV and AIDS? • What resources and support systems are available to caregivers in fulfilling their roles in relation to children? The social ecological model provided the theoretical framework for this study. Qualitative data was collected through personal interviews with eleven children and ten caregivers. This was supported by observational visits to the homes of the participants and secondary analysis of case files. The major themes that emerged were the phenomenon of absent fathers and the dominant role that women play. The caregivers had to keep their grief to themselves and more urgent stressors took priority in their lives. Grief was often held in abeyance as the caregivers had to focus on daily survival needs. Poverty overshadowed the lives of all the participants and a large portion of the South African population. Despite this the resilience on the part of the child participants was remarkable. Emanating from these themes, recommendations for social work practice and implications for future research are proposed.
A description of kinship care placements in Ekukhanyeni, Nkandla local municipality.
(2009) Msomi, Irene Zodwa.; Simpson, Barbara.
The Department of Social Development has made good progress in finalizing children's court enquiries and placing children officially in formal foster care with relatives. This has major implications for accessing social support in the form of foster care grants and is aimed at reducing the burden of poverty. However, there are challenges in terms of follow-up and professional foster care supervision to meet the goals or vision of the Department. Supervision of placements is not done and it is not known how placements are progressing after Children's Court enquiries. Foster parents are referred to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for foster grant processing and no further contact is made with the clients unless there is a problem with the foster care grant. The foster family is seen after two years when it is time for review of care placement of the child. We do not provide support to kinship carers or close supervision to children in kinship care. The overall aim of the research was: • To investigate the physical and material circumstances of the families. • To explore the psycho-social needs of the children. • To explore the physical and emotional problems of the kinship carers • To identify support systems available to kinship carers. This research provides a comprehensive description of the living circumstances of the children and the families. This will enable social workers at the Department of Social Development to develop tailor made community and group work programmes to address specific areas of concern and so improve social service delivery to children and their caregivers. It has also provided a baseline for further studies which may be pursued to establish whether the type of care has improved.
Life experiences of unemployed professional refugee women from Rwanda who live in the Durban inner city : working their way out of the vortex.
(2009) Uwabakulikiza, Winifred.; Kaye, Sylvia.
Refugees abound the world over due to various factors, such as human rights violations, wars, ethnicity-related problems, political instability and so on. In South Africa, refugees have a high rate of unemployment and no one knows what they are going through. Unemployed refugee women suffer more than men and bear the burden of unemployment. South Africa is a developing country and many of its citizens are unemployed, thus refugees are not protected by refugee laws that exist in other countries. This study aims to explore the life experiences of unemployed professional refugee women from Rwanda who live in the Durban inner city. Moreover, the research objectives also encompass discovering contributing factors behind their unemployment, as perceived by professional refugee women from Rwanda, and to explore their livelihood and coping strategies in their quest to earn a living.
Exploring community benefits in community based learning : a study of an international community based learning initiative in Wentworth, Durban
(2010) Nichol, Vanessa.; Kaye, Sylvia.
Community Based Learning (CBL) is a pedagogy that h as been fast tracked by the South African government as a means to make universities more relevant to local communities and assist with development initiatives sorely need ed across the country. The approach is also gaining popularity in its own right in institu tions of higher education in South Africa. But the issues of entering and working with communities are complex, and become even more complex when the students placed in local communities are international students. The purpose of this study was to explore the CBL programme of the School for International Training (SIT) in Wentworth, Durban and to identify the benefits and challenges to the community from the perspective of the community. A qualitative, descriptive design was used to garner rich informat ion of the perceptions and experiences of community members involved in the CBL programme. The study employed purposive, convenience sampling to select community members wh o have been involved as community workers or homestay families so as to ‘illuminate’ the research question. Personal interviews and focus groups were conducted with these community members. Content analysis was done on the data generated and to ensure credibility, data triangulation was done using a field journal and st udent reflection papers from selected semesters of the CBL programme. The overall findings indicate that the Community Ba sed Organizations (CBOs) and the homestay families did benefit from the programme. T he organizations did not want the ‘help’ of the students, and found their dwelling on service as patronizing. The community appreciated its dual roles of being teachers and le arners: with organizations in particular having their experience and knowledge affirmed as t eachers of Community Development (CD). The community believed that students could be strong role models for local youth. The presence of the students within the community a lso led to an increased interest within the community of Coloured history, culture and iden tity. In terms of CBL the presence of the students led to an increase in volunteerism amo ngst homestay families and other families wanting to host students in the future. The programme also led to a substantive, if brief, increase in the goodwill between the often feuding community organizations of Wentworth. Finally, there was also lingering hope t hat the students and SIT as an institution would deliver better prospects for families and organizations such as funding, building networks and lasting personal relationship s. The community also noted costs to the interactions, mainly in the form of inappropriate behaviour of some students, both in homestays and within the community in general. These included ethnocentric behaviour as well as the use of drugs and alcohol. These were cited as negatively affecting the impressionable youth of Wentworth. The study concludes that benefits do accrue to the community, but the relationships within the programme need to be nurtured and the whole initiative viewed as a process. International CBL programmes can be fraught with intercultural concerns and misunderstandings and thus take significant time to nurture must be approached with great caution. Attention must be paid to power differenti als that may exist, and visiting universities must be honest with communities in the ir needs and what they are prepared to give. These programmes, if not managed properly, have the potential to become extractive and follow patterns set by failed development projects.
Belly dance as a strategy for women's self care.
(2008) Sookoo, Ashika.; Kasiram, Madhubala Ishver.
The focus of this study was the exploration of belly dance as a form of female self care. The specific facet of self care explored was female health and well being as impacted on by belly dance. There is a limited amount of existing scholarly studies t hat focus on the value of belly dance in self care. Therefore this study followed a qualitative format which promoted exploration of th is under researched field. This study occurred in a context where women’s lives are busier than ever before as a result of their involvement in both the home and the workplace. Thus there is a need for them to engage in self care activities that effectively restore and replenish body, mind and soul in order to enable them to continue to meet their multiple responsibilities in a functional manner. Facets of self care explored were psychical, mental and social health and well being as impacted on by belly dancing. To achieve this, data collection tools of focus groups and interviews, following a semi-structured format were used. The results showed that belly dance plays a significant and positive role, not only in female self care but in enjoyment as well. Some specific aspects of belly dance found to be useful to female self ca re was its liberating use of the female form, its non-discriminatory aspect that unites all women in enjoyment of the dance, the absence of men, the supportive presence of women, the music, the feminine aspects, a secure environment and the opportunity that belly dance presents for women to pl ay a different role. Conclusions point to women viewing society as androcentric and providing little opportunity for feminine expression. A major conclusion is that women are non-verbally strong, relational beings who are predisposed to the language of dance and music. They are effectively revitalised by dance and music as presented by belly dance. This has implications for social work service delivery to women on multiple levels.
The knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities.
(2008) Gilbert, Indira.; Suraj-Narayan, Gourie.
The focus of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and to examine the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities. The sample was obtained from a secondary school in Chatsworth that caters for learners with learning difficulties/disabilities. The study used quantitative methods of data collection . Sixty adolescents with learning disabilities completed questionnaires. The findings indicate that adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities have good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and subsequently the majority is not engaging in sexual activity. The findings can be used to inform future research on adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities, as well as to inform future intervention strategies.
A phenomenological study into infertility and the assisted reproductive technologies : U.S.A and Jamaica compared.
(2007) Grinion, Peter Edward.
A Phenomenological Study into Infertility and the Assisted Technologies: USA and Jamaica Compared Infertility affects approximately 10-15% of all couples. This study explores the livedexperience of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies in Jamaica and the United States based on a phenomenological qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 15 couples experiencing infertility in Jamaica and 15 couples in the United States. As with many small scale studies that explore issues of an extremely sensitive nature, the participants were recruited from the community through a combination of convenience and snowball sampling. The biopsychosocial model and postmodernism constituted the conceptual frameworks that guided this study. The factors contributing to infertility; the biopsychosocial consequences of infertility and medical treatment of infertility are described. Fertility, infertility and the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are examined from ethical, legal, religious, and feminist perspectives. Empirical research derived from in-depth personal narratives of participants are used to explore the ways infertility impacts life's goals, self-esteem, faith, marriage, social relationships, and religious and cultural experiences. The results of the study yielded a list of thirteen themes that show the similarities and differences between Jamaica and the United States in relation to the topic under investigation. The study concludes with recommendations for public policies to address infertility as a public health concern and for social work with individuals, couples and extended families affected by the experience of infertility.
The experiences of social workers in the provision of reconstruction services to HIV infected children.
(2009) Govender, Vathanayagi.; Raniga, Tanusha.
Abdool Karim (Daily News, 02 December 2009) aptly states that one of the daunting social development challenges facing our young democracy in South Africa is the HIV and AIDS pandemic which has seriously impacted on the increase of HIV infected children. The study explored the experiences of social workers in the provision of reconstruction services to HIV infected children. This research study used a qualitative descriptive methodology. There were two sample groups: one consisted of five social workers from five institutions and the second consisted of six social workers from two child welfare organizations. Data was collected by means of semi-structured in- depth interviews with the institutional social workers. One focus group was held with child welfare social workers for the purpose of enhancing the reliability, validity and trustworthiness of the study. Globalization has had a substantial impact on social work services which has been further articulated through ‘new managerialism’, whereby welfare states are becoming cost effective businesses (Dominelli, 2002). Both welfare agencies and social workers pursuant to “new managerialism” have to justify their existence on a day to day basis due to the market principles that have been applied to the profession; it has to be ‘economically sound’ to be a social worker and to continue to be employed. The findings show that there were five key themes and various sub-themes that emerged from the in-depth interviews and the focus group interviews that posed as challenges for social workers. The lack of resources, high staff turnover, the recruitment of foster families emerged as factors that contributed to the challenges experienced by both institutional and child welfare social workers. Despite the many constraints placed on social workers several initiatives have been taken by institutional and child welfare social workers in the implementation of various services and programmes provided to families, communities and children infected or affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. In the face of “new managerialism” it is recommended that social workers need to accept that structural forces such as the economy, political, poverty and unemployment have a profound impact on organizations therefore it is necessary for social workers to advocate and lobby for adequate resources such as vehicles, access to telephones and computers and regular supervision, in the provision of reconstruction services. Furthermore social workers must have an updated knowledge regarding relevant policies and legislation that impact service delivery. The Department of Social Development should work in collaboration with the Department of Health and Education so that efforts could be made to ensure that HIV infected children continue with schooling, thereby developing them into more independent individuals. Finally an additional subsidy should be provided by the National Department of Social Development to institutions for services to accommodate family and prospective foster parents who stay over at institutions.
An exploratory study of psychosocial implications of HIV serodiscordance in married heterosexual couples.
(2007) Dano, Uschi Babalwa.; Matthias, Carmel Rose.
There is limited knowledge on the psychosocial implications of HIV/AIDS in serodiscordant heterosexual couples in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have indicated that there is an increase in the number of such couples on the African continent, yet there are minimal or no services offered to support such couples. The aim of the study was to explore the psychosocial challenges faced by heterosexual serodiscordant couples who were married. Ecosystems and biopsychosocial approaches were used as a framework to guide the study. A qualitative study was conducted in Durban, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used, comprising of four married couples and two individuals who were married but participated individually and not as a couple. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Both inductive and deductive approaches were carried out to analyse interview transcripts. None of the participants had received satisfactory explanations of their serodiscordant results. The discovery of serodiscordance resulted in difficulties with disclosure to families and children, maintaining safer sex, achieving intimacy due to lack of communication and bearing children due to fears associated with infection. Serodiscordance resulted in positive partners constantly fearing that their negative partners would leave them. Participants in discordant relationships had difficulties dealing with the changes that discordance brought into their lives. This resulted in enormous stress in their relationships including feelings of isolation, confusion and despair. Acceptance of serodiscordant status and support from family members were positive coping mechanisms used by discordant couples to alleviate stress. Avoidance was a negative coping mechanism used by some couples in dealing with the challenges of discordance. Factors contributing to the negative participants remaining in the relationship included love and companionship, children, commitment to the relationship and acknowledgement of the existence of HIV. The findings also indicated that none of the participants received on-going counseling and there were no programs catering for serodiscordant couples. This study supports the view of other researchers who believe that there is a dire need for service provision for serodiscordant couples. Based on the findings of this study, micro, mezzo and macro intervention strategies are recommended.
Responses of child welfare organisations in KwaZulu-Natal to the challenges of HIV/AIDS.
(2006) Gordhan, Husheila.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
Child Welfare organisations in South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, are being faced with various challenges. Since 1994, after the first democratic elections in South Africa, a major shift toward the developmental welfare approach was advocated in the White Paper for Social Welfare (Department of Welfare, 1997), in the provision of welfare services and programmes. The South African AIDS epidemic shows no signs of halting. At present, South Africa has the largest number of individuals living with the virus in a single country, with an estimated 5.3 million infections (UNAIDS, 2005). KwaZulu-Natal is ranked fourth. South Africa is facing an unprecedented AIDS crisis. The increasing numbers of HIV infected adults and children are having a devastating impact on child welfare organisations. Child Welfare organisations were already under-resourced, overstretched and overburdened, even before the AIDS epidemic emerged. The consequences of apartheid, especially in terms of mass poverty and HIV/AIDS add a further problem on an already divided and somewhat 'abnormal' society. In addition, the shift from the welfarist tradition of social work practice to the developmental paradigm has serious implications on the functioning of child welfare organisations, which are unable to cope with the existing caseloads. Hence there is a need to address the challenges and for specialised services in the arena of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of child welfare organisations in KwaZulu-Natal to the challenges of HIV/AIDS. The ecosystems perspective provided the theoretical framework within which the study was conducted. This perspective guided the selection of the study samples and the analysis of data. The study adopted a descriptive design, and the triangulated research paradigm incorporating both the quantitative and qualitative methods, as this was the most appropriate approach for the study's focus, objectives and research questions. By combining these two methods, a general overall audit was achieved in addition to obtaining rich, in-depth information. Fifty-five child welfare organisations in KwaZulu-Natal constituted the main sample for the quantitative study. Personal in-depth interviews were conducted with 5 senior social work personnel from the child welfare organisations. There were conclusive findings in this study that indicated that overall, child welfare organisations in the KwaZulu-Natal region are making concerted efforts to respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the broad areas of policy implementation and modification, specific programmes for children, special facilities for children affected by HIV/AIDS, awareness and prevention programmes and community projects. However difficulties in these areas were also experienced in the specific areas of providing adequate care, support and counselling with regard to children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, staff inadequacy and training and facilities for pre and post test counselling. Some of the factors that have been responsible for impeding the overall success can be attributed to: high staff turnover, high caseloads, burnout and stress, lack of adequate resources, inadequate funding, lack of government support, poverty and inefficiency in the social security system. Recommendations for further research and for policy and practice are detailed.
A study of children and grief : living through bereavement.
(2007) Jackson, Monica Ann.; Partab, Rubeena.
The high levels of HIV/AIDS and violent crime in South Africa mean that millions of children are being forced, and will continue to be forced, to deal with the death of a parent/primary caregiver in their early and middle childhood years. Acknowledging that does not lessen the apprehension and uneasiness which lingers in formal and informal discussions of children, death, dying and grief, nor does it ameliorate the fact that childhood bereavement is becoming a normative childhood experience in South Africa. It is vital, therefore, to understand what are South African children's experiences of bereavement and grief, and to explore what impacts are likely to be exerted on their development. Children do not grieve in the same way; and children's grief is influenced by factors such as environment, unique experiences, developmental level, personality, age and gender. Family, too, is important because it is still the primary institution of society, and it influences substantially how children understand death, bereavement and grief. The school, too, has an impact on childhood grief. The majority of school-going children in South Africa are in primary school grades. Attending primary school corresponds with (most often) middle childhood, which is a critically important developmental stage. The experience of bereavement and grief during middle childhood is challenging precisely because it occurs in such a sensitive emotionally, cognitively and socially developmental period. Childhood grief experienced in that period can have long-term consequences. Important, too, is the fact that school-going children will, more than for younger children, not only experience grief privately but will grieve in public settings such as the school setting. This study, therefore, was concerned with exploring and gaining insight into the dynamics of bereavement and grief as experienced by children, who were in middle childhood, and enrolled in the primary school system. An exploratory design was chosen to explore the issue. A purposive sample was drawn from the school's list of scholars, and included 25 children attending Grades Five to Seven (Senior Primary Phase) at a co-educational, English-medium, state school. Data were collected both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative primary data collection, involving in-depth interviews, was chosen because it allowed the researcher to explore the issue from the children's own perspectives. Each child was interviewed by the researcher over two to three sessions. Quantitative secondary data collection, involving key demographic and academic information extracted from the school's records, was included, and that helped triangulate and contextualise the data collected in the interviews. This study found that children in middle childhood do experience a diverse range of grief responses to the death of their parents/primary caregivers in the school environment, among other places, and some of those grief responses were challenging. Although respondents experienced different and confusing emotions; and although some had had their grief acknowledged by significant others, while others had not, all were able to engage in honest, clear discussions about death and grief. Respondents reported experiencing a range of secondary losses associated with the initial loss on their daily lives, and that was especially so for girl children. Respondents did know how to access support services but had not done so. The respondents also expressed a need to be encouraged to remember and memorialize their dead parent/primary caregiver. The study found, too, that the more prepared and supported the bereaved child was prior to that death, the better s/he coped with the event. Understanding children's bereavement can help those individuals and organisations, which are responsible for children's optimal development, provide children with the necessary support to prevent the child's bereavement and grief from becoming a lasting trauma.
The experiences of children who are heads of households in Hammarsdale.
(2007) Dlungwana, Nomlindo Eunice.; Sathiparsad, Reshma.
This dissertation is an exploration of the experiences and challenges faced by children who are heads of households, and are obliged to head families, which entails caring for their siblings, assuming adult roles and taking care of the general running of the households. A review of the literature revealed that research based on the experiences of children who are heads of households is a neglected field of study and there is limited information on the topic. This study aimed to explore, describe and interpret the experiences of children who are heads of households. The study attempted to highlight relevant issues that may provide guidance to different stakeholders in their efforts to deal with orphaned children, child-headed households and children who are affected by HIV and AIDS. Qualitative research processes were used in this study. Data collection took the form of face-to-face interviews, using an interview guide in making the interviews more flexible and at the same time covering all the aspects the researcher wanted to cover. Findings of the study revealed that orphaned children who are heading households experience various problems in addition to material needs. The study revealed that the main problem is poverty, lack of support structures, for example, support from family members, friends and the community at large and secondly, the unavailability and inaccessibility of service providers. The study also revealed that social discrimination experienced by orphans in child-headed households impacts negatively on their social functioning and education. Based on these findings, recommendations are made with regard to the roles of the Departments of Social Welfare, Health, Education and Home Affairs in ensuring satisfactory services to orphaned children who are heads of households.
A study into palliative care services for offenders with AIDS at Westville Prison.
(2006) Moodley, Aneetha Devi.; Gathiram, Neeta.
The study sought to determine what palliative care services were provided to offenders at Medium B correctional center, which is located at Durban Management Area. It identified the perceptions of offender-patients about the services they received. The study also identified challenges that staff and offender-volunteer caregivers faced in rendering services within a correctional context in South Africa. The sample consisted of three stakeholders, namely, offender-patients who were terminally ill with AIDS at the prison hospital, staff and offender volunteer caregivers. The methods of data collection comprised of content analysis, semi-structured interviews with offender-patients and focus group discussions with staff and offender volunteer caregivers. The study revealed that efforts were made by the Department of Correctional Services to provide services to terminally ill AIDS patients. Legislation and policy frameworks were consistently being developed by the Department to meet the needs of patients and to keep abreast with international best practices. Some services were in accordance with the theoretical framework of palliative care. However, many challenges were experienced because of the contextual constraints in which the services were being rendered. Recommendations to improve the delivery of services were made by all participants in the study. The study concludes with the recommendations by the researcher and suggestions for future research.
Responses of non-governmental organisations to the needs and expectations of volunteer trauma support workers within the victim empowerment sector in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2007) Khoza, Richard Vusindaba.; Mathias, Carmel.
The study examined the responses of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) within the victim empowerment sector in KwaZulu-Natal, to the needs and expectations of volunteer trauma support workers. The objectives of the study were to determine whether or not NGOs have volunteer care and support programmes and what challenges or constraints exist in providing such programmes. Systems and ecosystems theory were used as the theoretical framework guiding the study. Firstly, it provided a basis for understanding reciprocity between organisations and the environment. Secondly, it provided a framework for understanding the context in which volunteers and NGOs operate. A qualitative approach was used. This allowed the researcher to gather in-depth data necessary for the study. The study made use of non-probability sampling. Ten organisations were purposively sampled for the study. These included two organisations from Pietermaritzburg, and eight organisations from Durban. All organisations are affiliated to the Themba Lesizwe network. Data was collected by use of in-depth interviews, using an interview guide. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. The results of the study have shown that, although volunteers were recruited to provide trauma support work, they were also providing generic work including community interventions. The organisations' major reasons for utilizing the services of volunteers were shortage of staff and lack of funding to employ fulltime staff. The study found that whilst all organisations had care and support programmes in place to support volunteers, in the form of training, supervision and debriefing, these were uncoordinated and unstructured. The major finding of the study was that out of ten organisations, only one had a volunteer policy. All participants in the study agreed that there was a need for a volunteer policy and recommended that volunteer policies be developed.
An investigation into the phenomena of bullying and violence in secondary schools in Durban (Umlazi and Merebank)
(2007) Govender, Monica.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
A surge of interest on bullying and violence has emerged as precursors for aggression become ominously present on a global level. There is growing evidence of these phenomena among school children· and anecdotal proof of their consequences. Despite frequent reporting of the same in the popular media little empirical research is available in the South African context. More specifically in the discipline of social work, the issue remains largely neglected. Social workers are considered to be well placed in their capacity-building, therapeutic and facilitative roles. If they are to provide holistic and inter-related services to learners both within and outside of the school, it is vital that they become familiar with the dynamics of this public health scourge. The thrust of this effort was to examine the nature and extent of bullying and violence in Durban South high schools, to glean childrens' lived experiences in this regard and to investigate the structural/procedural impediments to systematic, mandatory, school wide responses. A survey was conducted with 251 grade 8 and 9 learners, where quantitative data was obtained on a range of issues relating to the nature and extent of school bullying. Additionally, four key informants were interviewed and two focus groups were conducted with an average of 10 members in each group. Interviews and group sessions allowed for a more spontaneous, meaningful and in-depth account from educators and group members. In this way, contextually and culturally rich information was obtained. Focus groups were deemed to be valuable as learners possessed 'insider' knowledge of the school and shared emotions in a less threatening environment among their peers. The reporting of bullying and violence was concluded to be problematic as current school procedures are ad hoc. The frequency with which bullying occurred was reported as alarmingly high. There was overwhelming support for curriculum changes, the services of a social worker/counsellor and for more stringent punitive measures for bullies. Educators confirmed the need for social services and indicated that the school ethos has deteriorated considerably, with general disregard by learners for authority. Recommendations include the development of an anti-bullying school policy as well as comprehensive schooVcommunity efforts that monitor and address bullying and violence systematically. This study also recommends the integration of social and academic services in promoting learner well being. The recommendations are aimed toward extinguishing any notion that predatory or aggressive behaviour is normal, in the minds of youth.
The need for a youth development programme in Reservoir Hills : the perceptions of secondary school learners.
(2007) Haridas, Meena Narsinhdas.; Sathiparsad, Reshma.
This research study sought to determine secondary school learner perceptions of the need for a youth development programme in Reservoir Hills. The study begins with a literature review related to youth development in the context of social capital within the framework of social development. The main focus of the research, however, was to gather information regarding the youth development programmes the youth were currently accessing, as well as youth perceptions of their needs and pressures, and how their needs can be met. A descriptive survey research design guided the study. The entire Grade 9 populations of the two secondary schools in Reservoir Hills were asked to complete structured questionnaires under the supervision of their teachers. This group was considered to best represent youth at the entry level of this phase of development. Quantitative methods were used to analyse the results from which conclusions and recommendations were drawn. The study findings indicate that the majority of the respondents were not attending youth development programmes. Those who were accessing these programmes were doing so through school, as well as religious and sports organizations. The youth expressed a keen interest in participating in any programmes that might be offered. Surprisingly, they were requesting access to the most basic activities such as soccer, netball, volleyball, etc. The y also showed an interest in non-sporting activities such as computer literacy. Youth demonstrated awareness of the pressures facing them in terms of drugs, sex and alcohol. They were of the view that involvement in youth development programmes would be critical to assisting youth direct their energies towards positive development as individuals and as youth in general, and thus contribute to the creation of a better society.
The responsiveness of sexual offenders to a therapeutic group work programme at Westville medium B prison.
(2004) Mathe, Sibonsile.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
Sexual offences are one of the most serious threats to South Africa's democracy. We hear again and again cries like: "Hang them!", "Prisons are a waste of taxpayers money", "We need to get more tough on criminals", and many others. On the other hand, the Correctional Services Department is mandated by parliament, by courts and by the public to render rehabilitation services to sexual offenders in their care. These outcries and mandates call for responsible and accountable service delivery to sexual offenders by social workers. This research investigated the responsiveness of sexual offenders to a therapeutic group work program. It entailed the development, implementation and evaluation of a sexual offender programme. Adapting specific modules of existing programmes, a cognitive-behavioural sexual offender programme for sentenced Juveniles was developed. The process of data collection was a comprehensive, intensive process. Data was obtained from a sample of eighteen adolescent sexual offenders that was divided into nine experimental group and nine control group. Using the group work method, the programme was implemented to the experimental group. The programme was evaluated in terms of its content, methods of implementation and outcome. The use of triangulated methodology of data collection and analysis enabled the researcher-practitioner to validate information derived from different sources. The outcome of this study revealed that the juvenile sex offenders responded positively to the cognitive-behavioural programme. This study is based on the premise that by working with the perpetrators of sexual crimes, you are protecting hundreds of lives from further harm. The positive improvement was in their self-concepts, attitude towards women, and cognitions. The programme is viewed as one module of the broader rehabilitation initiatives in the area of sentenced sexual offenders. The need for correctional services, communities and other stakeholders to join efforts in offender rehabilitation was emphasised. The provision of a supportive environment from which rehabilitation to take place was identified as one of positive influences of change. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, recommendations were made with regard to further adaptation of the programme, future programme development and implementation components, and the need for staff training in this field. Recommendations for further research are detailed.
Perceptions of youth regarding their relationships with adults in Ugu North, a rural area in Southern KwaZulu-Natal.
(2004) Mngadi, Nompumelelo Rosemary.; Sathiparsad, Reshma.
The study investigates youth perceptions of their relationships with adults in Ugu North a rural area in Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal. A review of literature revealed that limited research has been done in South Africa and other countries on the nature of relationships that exist between youth and adults in rural areas. From the available literature and the study it became clear that there is no comfortable relationship between youth and adults in Ugu North rural area. Research was conducted at a school and the participants were the learners. The researcher used availability sampling and systematic random sample to select participants. The researcher used two methods of data collection - focus group discussions and questionnaires for individual completion. The study revealed that there is no comfortable relationship between youth and adults in rural areas. By adults the research is referring to parents, teachers, possible caregivers and community members. Conclusions are drawn from the study and recommendations are made on how relationships between youth and adults in rural areas can be improved.
An evaluation of the implementation of the South African skills development policy in the Amaoti area.
(2010) Mwandla, Theresa.; Kaye, Sylvia.
The skills shortage and unequal standards of training in South Africa provided the stimulus for the Skills Development Policy. The purpose of the study was to analyze and appraise the Amaoti Vegetable Farming Learnership (AVFL), a skills development programme implemented in the Amaoti area. The aims were to establish what changes occurred to the scheme, which was implemented on a piece of land of land with no farmer as an employer; and to ascertain whether the AVFL achieved its intended purpose of providing participants with agricultural skills. Data were gathered via one-on-one interviews with six participants and two focus groups. One major finding that emerged from the study was that the programme equipped participants with agricultural skills. Another significant finding was that the elderly project learners did not accept being supervised by young mentors and perceived it demeaning. This resulted in a strained relationship between the two groups and subsequently led to non-productive supervision. The concurrent training of both learners and mentors also contributed to the strained relationship between the two groups. The study also found that the recruitment process did not adhere to the Skills Development Act, which prescribed that learnership participants should be recruited from labour centres. In the case of the AVFL, recruitment was conducted in the community. The use of land was problematic in that there were no resources. Recommendations included: 1) training of mentors should be done before the implementation of the learnership and should take into account cultural implications such as age differences; 2) resources need to be available on the land including water, ablution, and sick bay.
The struggles and triumphs of non-offending mothers in dealing with the sexual abuse of their children : an exploratory study.
(2005) Mahomed, Rehana.; Simpson, Barbara.
Child abuse continues to be a major challenge in South Africa. Much of the research has focused on helping children who have been abused and more recently focus has been placed on the perpetrator. Understanding the needs of the mother of the abused child has largely been neglected. This study explored how mothers of abused children are also affected by the child's trauma and how her survival contributes to the healing of the family. Using a qualitative research approach, data was gathered from case files, groupwork notes and in-depth interviews with eight women whose children had been abused. A feminist approach guided the study. This research described the experiences of women and provided insight into their struggles and triumphs as they assisted their children in the healing process.

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