Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Family and Society (CFS)

Permanent URI for this community

https://hdl.handle.net/10566/6150

Vision

The vision of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Family and Society is to provide highly skilled human capital in the field of child, youth, family, community and society development, health and well-being and thus build important bridges of learning with regard to the acquisition and application of knowledge to ultimately benefit individuals and communities everywhere.

Mission

The CISCFS is an interdisciplinary entity which aims to study families (including children and youth) and society (including communities and other environmental and contextual factors which may affect the family). Specifically, the Centre aims to provide a holistic understanding of the interplay between the South African family (and its members) and the diverse contexts and societal structures in which it is located and with which it interacts for the purposes of development, health and well-being as well as decision-making processes affecting each of these domains.

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A qualitative study exploring the experiences of Black South African vegetarians residing in the urban settings of Cape Town.
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Sedupane, George; Waggie, Firdouza
Vegetarianism is a growing global trend. Movie stars and world class athletes proudly brand themselves vegetarian. Apart from its health implications vegetarianism has been extensively studied as a social and psychological phenomenon. However the understanding that has emerged from these studies has almost exclusively reflected Caucasian Western societies. Internationally there is a paucity of research regarding vegetarianism among people of African descent. The purpose of this study was to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the development of a vegetarian identity among Black urban South Africans living in Cape Town and the contextual factors involved in their adoption and practice of vegetarianism. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory which emphasizes the bidirectional influence between human behaviour and broader contextual factors was used as a theoretical framework for understanding vegetarianism among Black South Africans. This study used a qualitative exploratory approach to describe the perceptions and experiences of Black vegetarians. Snowball sampling was used to locate eight Black South African adult vegetarians who were interviewed in depth. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis yielding three main themes. The first and central theme is that “vegetarianism is life.” This theme encapsulates the fact participants view vegetarianism as an instrument through which the highest ideals of life are attained including physical vitality, spiritual vibrancy and intellectual superiority. In the second theme the process of developing a vegetarian identity was unfolded. Contextual religio-cultural influences of Rastafarianism and Seventh day Adventism were a major influence in the development of a vegetarian identity. The last theme unfolds the experience of Black vegetarians living in meat dominated society. The study reveals that becoming a vegetarian definitely affects one’s social relations. However the gender of the vegetarians modulated the reaction of family members. Vegetarians also employed several strategies to manoeuvre difficult social situations. This study is among the first to contribute an African perspective to the global vegetarian discourse. It has highlighted the way Black Africans develop a vegetarian identity and the contextual factors acting as barriers and facilitators to this development. It has highlighted how this identity is informed by their Africanness though at times it conflicts with certain African ideals. Finally it has identified the social, cultural and psychological variables involved in the vegetarian phenomenon on the African continent.
Access to early childhood development services: perceptions, experiences and challenges of early childhood practitioners and parents
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Vuyokazi, Mpumela; Erasmus, C. J.
Children’s learning and development takes place in a range of contexts and this includes at Early Childhood Development centers and at home with family. Parent involvement in their children’s education has been viewed as an important variable that positively influence children’s education. Young children need quality childcare to develop their innate potential and prepare for formal education. Quality care provides nurturing relationships, a mentally stimulating environment, basic health and safety. The formal provisioning of Early Childhood Development falls under the mandate of the Department of Social Development for registered early childhood development centers and the Department of Education for Grade R, the preparatory grade for primary education. The study investigated the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of parents and early childhood development practitioners with regards to their access of early childhood services. The theory underpinning this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system, which is based on the principle of interconnectedness within settings and the link between settings that affect individual development. The study utilised a qualitative approach and data were collected from parents and early childhood practitioners within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings regarding the perceptions of practitioners, principals and parents included perception of Early Childhood Development services, affordability, and contentment with ECD education, proximity of the centers and the role of the practitioners. The experiences of the parents, principals and practitioners highlighted in the study includes involvement of parents, training of practitioners, limited support from stakeholders, and scarce resources. In addition, lack of sufficient infrastructure, lack of adequate learning materials, underqualified practitioners and shortage of funds were noted as the challenges affecting the practitioners and the parents. The study recommended training of practitioners, infrastructure development.
Achievements and challenges for Higher Education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review of media in Africa
(MPDI, 2021) Sonn, Inge K.; Du Plessis, Marieta; Van Vuuren, Carel D. Jansen
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck globally and has affected higher education institutions (HEIs) and their operations, indirectly impacting the progress of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 achieved thus far. This article addresses HEIs achievements and challenges experienced in the wake of the pandemic. Online news media reports played a facilitative role in providing information to the HEI communities. A rapid review exploring online news media messages relating to higher education at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa was utilised. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data. The results highlight HEIs achievements, which aim to ensure that all students receive the same level of education and provision in terms of devices and mental health support. However, challenges were also experienced at HEIs and include students feeling uncertainty and fear regarding completing their education. Furthermore, the results also show that not all students received the same level of education due to contextual factors, thus deepening the existing social disparities in Africa. The pandemic provides an opportunity for HEIs to embed the components of global citizenship education into the curriculum and to work in an innovative way to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Adjustment of first year university students and the effect of a psychosocial intervention on their mental health and adjustment over an interrupted time series
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Stroud, Candice; Roman, Nicolette
First-year students face an array of challenges, ranging from financial, to academic and psychosocial problems. Research suggests that first-year students require student support structures to enable student retention. Higher education institutions have now focused on building towards student graduate attributes as well as developing well-balanced, well-rounded students. First-year experience studies have identified the growing interest in the potential impact of psycho-social interventions on the social adjustment and influence on students’ mental health. This study assess the effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health and adjustment of first-year students by using an Interrupted Time Series (ITS) analysis.
Adolescent Hookah pipe use: Exploring the role of basic psychological needs and motivation
(SAGE, 2021) Kader, Zainab; Crutzen, Rik; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa
Adolescent hookah pipe use is on the rise despite it being a public health concern. Several studies focus on the external determinants of adolescent hookah pipe use but research focusing on the internal factors motivating adolescents to smoke the hookah pipe is sparse. Drawing on self-determination theory, a contemporary theory of human motivation, this study aimed to explore the basic psychological needs (BPN) and motivation of adolescent hookah pipe users and nonusers in an attempt to explore whether satisfaction or frustration of needs contributes to hookah pipe use.
The adverse childhood experiences of adults regarding the transition from foster care to child and youth care centres
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Bovu, Kwandiwe; Carelse, Shernaaz
In South Africa family foster care is the first option of alternative care for children removed from their biological parents, adoptive parents or guardians, due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. Similar to international trends, South Africa prioritises family foster care. However, when the foster care placement disintegrates, children are generally placed in child and youth care centres (CYCCs) in accordance with the South African Children’s Act 38 of 2005. This qualitative study aims to explain the adverse childhood experiences of adults regarding their transition from foster care to CYCCs, using family systems theory (FST) to contextualise these accounts. The population for this study was adults living in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), who were formerly moved to CYCCs after the break down of their family foster care placements.
Alcohol ban during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown: Lessons for preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in South Africa
(AOSIS, 2022) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C.
During the two national lockdowns implemented in South Africa to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were prohibited. There is observational evidence from the literature suggesting a drastic reduction in the emergency and trauma unit admissions in many South African hospitals and clinics with alcohol-related restrictions. This article explores the potential benefits of the restrictions placed on the sale and consumption of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic on preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in South Africa. Following the potential benefits of the alcohol bans, we recommended that the current South African national liquor policy and the 2012 South African government-drafted Bill for Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages should be fully implemented and enforced. Furthermore, the ‘best buys’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) should be adapted (based on local evidence) and executed. Implementing the abovementioned policies can reduce alcohol abuse by limiting and regulating the manufacturing, distribution, advertising, sponsorship, promotion, physical availability and hours of sale of alcoholic beverages in South Africa.
An exploration of adolescent substance users and the parent-child relationship in Mitchell's Plain
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Vuza, Nwabisa; Rich, Edna; Jacobs, Liezelle
Adolescence is a stage in a young person's life between childhood and adulthood and is characterized by rapid, intensive life changes and adaptations. During this stage, the parentchild interaction is vital, as it helps the adolescent to make informed decisions in life. The aim of this current study is to explore the parent-child relationship of adolescent substance users, aged between 14 and 17 years, and their parents, specifically mothers. The researcher chose to utilize a mixed methods approach, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, to gather comprehensive evidence. A sequential exploratory mixed methods design was selected for the study. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select the 45 adolescent substance users and their 45 mothers, as parents, from the community of Mitchell's Plain. A further sample of 5 willing adolescents and their 5 mothers was selected randomly to participate in the semi-structured interviews, to further probe the nature of the parent-child relationship. The Attachment Theory was employed as a theoretical framework. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme, version 25, was used to analyse the quantitative data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and independent tests were applied to the data. The findings of this study revealed that the majority of the respondents had different perceptions of the parent-child relationship. The thematic analysis was used for qualitative data and the data was analysed by making use of the qualitative analysis stages as guidelines to identify the main themes that emerged from the data. Confidentiality and anonymity was maintained throughout the study. There were significant differences and similarities on the perceptions of both the parents and adolescent substance users. They agreed on what the parent-child relationship is, as well as how a parent should interact with the child; however, there were differences on how they perceived their relationship with each other, regarding the different components of the parentchild relationship. Recommendations are provided for parents and children on positive parent-child relationship, future research, intervention programmes and policy development.
An analysis of livelihood of landfill waste pickers in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Mudavanhu, Naome; Schenck, Catherina
Due to high levels of unemployment many people in South Africa have sought work in the informal sector of the country's economy. The activities of landfill waste pickers therefore came about because of this. Landfill waste pickers recover recyclables on mountains of waste and sell to different Buy Back Centers (BBCs) in their areas. Despite the hardships, working on unbearable working conditions and poor income, landfill waste pickers have managed to sustain their livelihoods. The aim of the study was to conduct an analysis of the livelihoods of landfill waste pickers in South Africa using the sustainable livelihood framework. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approach using multiple case study strategy of inquiry. The population of the study was the landfill waste pickers at the selected landfill sites and material recovery facility. Convenient sampling was used to select the research sample. Data was gathered through observations, semi-structured one-on-one interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and document analysis to involve multiple sources of data. The research study took place in the following provinces of South Africa namely Western Cape, North West, and Eastern Cape. Out of these provinces the following municipalities were selected for the study Stellenbosch and Oudtshoorn (Western Cape), Potchefstroom and Vryburg (North West) and Graaff Reinet (Eastern Cape). Themes were identified using the elements of sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) and thematic analysis. SLF was used to analyse and present findings under the following elements of SLF vulnerability context, livelihood assets, transforming structures and processes, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. After using a robust approach in analyzing the livelihoods of waste pickers the main outcome was that waste pickers are trying to make a living and they are entrepreneurs. The study also showed that it is important that waste pickers need to be integrated into the waste management system but not to formalize or regulate them. But ultimately give them support so that they continue to do their work better in better conditions.
Aspirations, expectations and challenges of youth that have aged out of foster care in Bonteheuwel, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Janse-Pieterse, Joeline; de Jongh, Jo-Celene
Foster care is perceived to be the best and most widely applied form of alternative care for children apart from their maternal home, because it most often occurs within the family context and is intended to offer safety and protection to children. Children placed in foster care often remain in foster care until they turn 18 years of age. However, all too frequently, they age out of foster care without any support services. Some of the foster care youth who have aged out of foster care often fall prone to negative influences and circumstances in the community such as toxic relationships with their biological family, unemployment, living on the streets, or fall prone to gangsterism.
Assessing the relationship between food security, the child support grant and child care arrangements
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Tyabashe, Babalwa; Swart, E.C.
Food insecurity exists when people lack access to sufficient quantities of safe and nutritious food which encourages normal growth and development. Given South Africa’s high poverty and unemployment levels, food insecurity has become endemic in many communities. The purpose of the study was to determine and explore the relationship between food insecurity, child care arrangements and the child support grant (CSG). The study was conducted among a sample of 120 participants, comprising both CSG recipients and non-recipients (who were purposefully selected from an ongoing cohort study), residing in Langa township in Cape Town. A sequential, mixed-model research design was used, in which both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. The results were analysed using SPSS and Atlas ti software. The ecological systems theory being used as a theoretical framework to explore the different dimensions of child care arrangements. In the literature it is hypothesised that food insecure families are more likely to have child care arrangement instabilities. Interestingly, the study’s findings did not support this hypothesis. Although most of the participants were unemployed, they generally stayed at home to care for their children because they were recipients of the CSG. Therefore, despite being food insecure, many households had stable child care arrangements because of the CSG. Child support grant recipient households experienced hunger less acutely than households that did not receive the grant. Of course, social protection mechanisms, like grants, do not represent a sustainable solution to South Africa’s unemployment and food insecurity challenges. The researcher therefore provides a number of recommendations on how government and civil society can ameliorate the plight of poor households.
Barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained communities
(University of Stellenbosch, 2022) Donga, Gift; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Benjamin, Fatiema
The study examined barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resourceconstrained communities. A qualitative approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. Thematic analysis was applied to data acquired from a sample of parents from resourceconstrained areas in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Parents interviewed identified the following barriers: financial constraints, peer influence, alcohol and drug abuse, lack of adequate parental time, communication and maturational changes. Given the parental challenges emerging from the findings of the study, greater understanding of the conditions under which effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained societies can be fostered is essential.
A case study for intergenerational transference of parenting in genadendal: Developing guidelines
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Human-Hendricks, Anja; Schenck, Catherine; Roman, Nicolette
Parenting practices are known to influence the development of children and family functioning. However, the extent to which these generational influences stretch, and the continuities brought forth between generations has not been adequately studied. Therefore, this study aimed to explore intergenerational parenting in Genadendal for the purpose of developing guidelines for parents and practitioners. The concept of parenting was extensively unpacked to understand the intergenerational transmitted parenting factors being transferred from one generation to the next, in order to examine the parenting styles, parenting practices, parenting traits, and how these are transmitted over generations.
The challenges experienced by parents when parenting a child with hearing loss within a South African context
(Routledge, 2021) Davids, Ronel; Roman, Nicolette; Schenck, Catherina
The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges experienced by hearing parents when parenting a child with hearing loss. Using a qualitative purposive sampling design, interviews were conducted with 13 parents (9 mothers, 4 fathers) residing in Cape Town, South Africa. Four salient themes emerged, namely: 1) communication is difficult, hard, and frustrating; 2) lack of knowledge and information about hearing loss makes it difficult to parent; 3) little or no support makes for a lonely journey; and 4) support identified by parents for parents. The findings of the study have important implications for collaboration and partnerships between parents and health and family practitioners within South Africa for the design and development of supportive interventions for parents parenting a child with hearing loss.
A comparison of the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms in South African low socioeconomic communities
(BCM, 2021) Coert, Samantha L.; Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Roman, Nicolette V.
Teenage parenting is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. Research in South Africa has shown that by the age of 18 years, more than 30% of teens have given birth at least once. Teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are ‘othered’ and consequently, may develop forms of resistance which in most cases may inhibit their ability to parent. Social support is therefore, an imperative intervention for successful teen parenting but this is not clearly understood in South Africa. This study aimed to compare the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms.
A comparison of the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability among hookah-pipe users and non-users
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Visman, Heidré; Roman, Nicolette V.; Rich, Edna
Hookah-pipe smoking escalated from being a cultural phenomenon to being a social phenomenon. Studies suggest that the hookah-pipe is a high-risk phenomenon which has become a highly acceptable social practice influenced by social factors such as smoking initiations among peers. What is unknown is whether peer pressure and social acceptance have an influence on the use of the hookah-pipe. The aim of this study is therefore to compare the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptance among adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users. The objectives of the study are to determine the prevalence of peer pressure, social acceptability and smoking tobacco using the hookah-pipe among adolescents; establish the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability of adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users and to compare the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability among adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users. A cross-sectional comparative correlation study was conducted with a sample of Grade 9 adolescents attending secondary schools in the Metro East Education District in Cape Town. Structured questionnaires constructed from the NationalASH 10 Year Snapshot Survey, the 10-year in-depth survey, the health and lifestyle survey and peer pressure, as well as an NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development questionnaire were completed by the participants. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The results show that no relationship was found between peer pressure and social acceptance, but a relationship was found between parental rules and monitoring around tobacco use for hookah-pipe users. A significant difference was also found in the attitudes towards hookah use between users and non-users. The ethics for this study included voluntary participation, informed consent and anonymity.
A comparison of the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability among hookah-pipe users and non-users
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Visman, Heidré; Roman, Nicolette V.; Rich, Edna
Hookah-pipe smoking escalated from being a cultural phenomenon to being a social phenomenon. Studies suggest that the hookah-pipe is a high-risk phenomenon which has become a highly acceptable social practice influenced by social factors such as smoking initiations among peers. What is unknown is whether peer pressure and social acceptance have an influence on the use of the hookah-pipe. The aim of this study is therefore to compare the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptance among adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users. The objectives of the study are to determine the prevalence of peer pressure, social acceptability and smoking tobacco using the hookah-pipe among adolescents; establish the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability of adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users and to compare the relationship between peer pressure and social acceptability among adolescent hookah-pipe users and non-users. A cross-sectional comparative correlation study was conducted with a sample of Grade 9 adolescents attending secondary schools in the Metro East Education District in Cape Town. Structured questionnaires constructed from the NationalASH 10 Year Snapshot Survey, the 10-year in-depth survey, the health and lifestyle survey and peer pressure, as well as an NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development questionnaire were completed by the participants. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The results show that no relationship was found between peer pressure and social acceptance, but a relationship was found between parental rules and monitoring around tobacco use for hookah-pipe users. A significant difference was also found in the attitudes towards hookah use between users and non-users. The ethics for this study included voluntary participation, informed consent and anonymity.
The contribution of parental factors to adolescents’ deviant behaviour in South Africa: Evidence from three rural communities in South Africa
(MDPI, 2022) Chinyakata, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Donga, Gift T.
Challenges associated with adolescents are prevalent in South African societies. During the adolescence stage, children may become involved in deviant behaviour. Although a significant number of studies have focused on the factors that contribute to adolescents’ deviant behaviour, including parental factors, there is paucity of research specifically in rural communities. This study explores the contribution of parental factors to adolescents’ deviant behaviour in rural communities in South Africa. Guided by the qualitative approach, the present study makes use of semi-structured interviews to collect data and thematic analysis to analyse data. The parental factors identified include less parental supervision, a lack of support, an absence of parental discipline, parent’s lack of concern and the inability of parents to be role models.
A coordinated response to bullying of and among children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities within the context of the child protection system
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Blankenberg, Cheryl Marion; Van Der Westhuizen, Marichen
This study responded to the identified need for research to develop a guideline for a coordinated Child Protection Service (CPS) response to protect children with mild to moderate Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) from bullying. Framed within the bio-ecological systems theory, three research questions guided the study, namely: 1) What is the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 2) What formal and informal systems should be included in a coordinated response to address the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 3) What components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs should be included within the CPS? Guided by these questions, the first aim of the research was to explore and describe the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs. The second aim was to identify formal and informal systems to include in a coordinated response, and the third aim was to identify and operationalise the components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among these children.
Covid-19 daily realities for families: A South African sample
(MPDI, 2022) October, Kezia Ruth; Petersen, Lisa Rene’; Adebiyi, Babatope
The COVID-19 pandemic affected families globally. Empirical research has been explored to understand the impact of COVID-19 on families across countries, however, there are limited findings of how COVID-19 has affected the daily realities of families in South Africa. This study used an exploratory qualitative research approach to explore the experiences of COVID-19 for South African families. Findings suggest that the negative outcomes of COVID-19 experienced by South African families included a shift in the daily routines, restrictions on family events, lack of socialization and loss of connections, family conflicts, financial constraints as well as psychological impacts. On the contrary, the positive outcomes included increased family time and communication, cleanliness, and good health status, and improved financial management. Implications for future research should include research focused on the health impacts of COVID-19 on diverse family structures, family compositions, and family dynamics. In-depth research and findings can assist in developing policies and interventions for families.

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