Perspectives and experiences of young mothers who are recipients of the child support grant (CSG): a case study in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Since the introduction of the child support grant there have been a number of studies done on
the social and economic impact of the grant. There has been much concern expressed about
the misuse of the child support grant. In South Africa the child support grant is identified as
the social security programme for people living in poverty. Studies globally has shown the
positive impact of the social security programmes, particularly for less privileged sectors of
societies. This study seeks to understand experiences of young mothers receiving the child
support grant. Drawing on the experiences of 15 young mothers aged 18 to 24 years old, this
study investigates the perspectives and experiences of young mothers receiving the child
support grant. The study was conducted among a sample of young mothers with two or more
children in a rural area in KwaZulu Natal. Applying the qualitative approach in the form of
open-ended interviews, the study aimed to investigate the use of the child support grant. The
focus of the study was mainly to understand the use of the child support grant by young
mothers with more than one child. The study further examines the impact of the child support
grant on the schooling and health of children with siblings. The study also investigated the
factors that contribute to having more than one child.
The study found that the child support grant is used mostly on school expenses and that the
grant is not enough to meet all the expenses of children. The study found that young mothers
with more than one child experience challenges with raising their children, such as lack of
financial, emotional and physical support. The interviews with young mothers revealed that
such challenges limit them from seeking employment, furthering their studies and
progressing in life. The study found no link between having more than one child and the
child support grant. The findings from the young mothers revealed a number of factors
including the lack of contraceptive use, the lack of education and health facilities are some of
the causes of early pregnancy and of having more than one child. The study recommended
the integration of the sexual health education into the school syllabus, the promotion of
friendly service at health facilities and the introduction of a strategy to monitor the use of the
child support grant.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.