Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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FACTORS THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AMONGST ADOLESCENTS: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Get PDFThe increase of criminal behaviour and substance misuse amongst adolescents is of great concern for social service providers. According to the ecological perspective, several factors could contribute to substance misuse and criminal activity amongst adolescents, impacting negatively on their lives. A qualitative study was done to explore and describe the perceptions of social service providers of the factors that could contribute to substance misuse and criminal activity amongst adolescents. Twenty participants took part in this study and certain criteria for inclusion applied. The data were categorised into three themes, namely micro, meso and macro level. Relevant conclusions and recommendations were mad
REFLECTIONS OF ADULT CHILDREN RAISED IN FEMALE-HEADED FAMILIES
Get PDFThe literature indicates that children growing up in female-headed families are at risk of experiencing social problems, lower academic achievement and delinquent behaviour. A qualitative exploratory-descriptive study was conducted to gain insight into the perspectives of adult children who grew up in female-headed families. Purposive and snowball sampling were utilised to recruit suitable participants. Data from 12 participants aged between 25 and 35 years revealed the strengths of these families, which are often overlooked and downplayed. The findings show that the participants developed independence and self-reliance emanating from their mothers’ survival strategies, resilience and perseveranc
Developing the notion of ubuntu as African theory for social work practice
Get PDFUbuntu is an African concept referring to humanness. It gives expression to deeply-held African ideals of one’s personhood being rooted in one’s interconnectedness with others. Social workers seeking to develop an African framework for decolonial social work practice turn repeatedly to ubuntu for aid. But the term has, for the most part, been limited to the idea of mutual aid – people helping each other in a spirit of solidarity. This article endeavours to extend and deepen the ubuntu concept to strengthen its potential as a theory informing social work practice. This is done by interweaving other African ideas with ubuntu in three domains: ethics, sustainable development and ecospiritualit
BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE LEGAL CHILD ADOPTION ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Get PDFDomestic adoption is usually considered to be in the best interests of abandoned children. However, although ongoing efforts have been made to recruit prospective black adopters, adoption rates remain low. A grounded theory study was conducted to explore how black South Africans perceive and experience the adoption assessment process regarding the adoption of abandoned children. Findings indicated that social workers regard a rigorous assessment process as essential to ensure that adoption applicants are fit and proper to adopt, whereas prospective adopters deem the process unreasonable. The grounded theory emerging addressed tensions around adoption policy and practice, and the perceptions and experiences of adoption
THE INFLUENCE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY ON EDUCATION: PERCEPTIONS OF EDUCATORS AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TEMBISA, GAUTENG
Get PDFGlobally teenage pregnancy has been a major interference to the educational achievement of female learners. Teenage pregnancies among school-going learners have grown at an alarming rate and is a serious concern in South African society. Based on a qualitative study with 12 educators at a high school in Tembisa, Gauteng, South Africa, this article considers their perceptions to gain in-depth insight about the influence of teenage pregnancy on the educational achievement of high school learners. The findings revealed that teenage pregnancy negatively affects the learner, other learners, the school, the family, the community and society as a whole
AUTHENTIC TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT: REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES OF FOURTH-YEAR STUDENTS IN A SOCIAL WORK MODULE
Get PDFThis article reports on a fourth-year social work module attempting to develop employable social work students rather than preparing students for employment in the context of social work. The Edinburgh Napier University clarifies the distinction: “Employment is about getting a job” and “Employability is about having an effective mix of skills, attributes and attitudes to function successfully in required roles” in the real world of work.It argues that over and above providing content knowledge, 21st-century skills should also be integrated into the actual module. Recent evidence suggests that there is a missing link between higher education graduates’ learning and their readiness for today’s world of work. The results from this qualitative investigation revealed that students found the teaching, learning and assessment activities challenging, but also reported that these activities contributed towards their holistic readiness for employmen
CULTURAL SPECIFIC ATTITUDES OF BATSWANA PEOPLE TOWARDS ADOPTION
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to describe the cultural attitude of Batswana people towards adoption. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and is descriptive in nature. It followed a quantitative approach and reached 83 respondents representative of designated organisations rendering services to adoptive parents in Ikageng, Potchefstroom. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used. Demographical information was included to test the construct validity on different variables, namely the birthparent, adoptive parent and the adopted child. The findings of the study indicated that the Batswana community have a positive attitude towards adoptio
Editorial
Get PDFThorough, topical academic research constantly generates a sound evidence base for social work teaching and learning, practice and policy development. The articles in this issue of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk do just that. They cover a wide range of research: opportunities for HIV-infected researchers to engage in HIV-related research; authentic teaching and learning of students; effects of policies; needs of caregivers; and social problems presented by adolescents