Intergenerational sense-making about historical trauma: parent-child conversations about apartheid in South Africa

Abstract

Grounded in the communicated sense-making (CSM) model and communicated narrative sense-making (CNSM) theory, the current study investigates how South African parents communicate to make sense of apartheid with their children. Findings from in-person interviews with 22 South African parents (representing each of the four apartheid racial class designations) illuminated four approaches to intergenerational sense-making about apartheid: responding, empowering, shielding, and recognizing progress. These findings expand CSM and CNSM theorizing by showing how cultural socialization is woven into family sense-making conversations about historical cultural events. We also address scholars’ calls for investigating family communication as a vehicle and/or barrier to the intergenerational transmission of trauma. We provide directions for narrative-based interventions to help parents most effectively discuss historical trauma with their children.