Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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THE ROLE OF FATHERS RECEIVING SOCIAL GRANTS IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES WITHIN POOR RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN ALICE, EASTERN CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFThis paper examines the role of fathers receiving social grants in the decision-making process in poor rural households. Data were collected from a sample of 195 respondents. Data-collection methods included in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires. The findings revealed that fathers receiving social grants, together with their partners were jointly making household decisions, even though they were the ones contributing more income to the household. It was found that economic factors play a critical role in positioning other household members in decision-making. We conclude that co-operative bargaining, resulting in the distribution of power in the decision-making process, is relatively prominent in most poor rural households. The authors provide some practical social work recommendation
WE CAN’T BE HERE FOREVER”: UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS ON TERMINATING COMMUNITY-ENGAGEMENT RELATIONSHIPS
Get PDFStudies on community engagement (CE) focus on its benefits but not enough on termination and difficulties experienced at the personal level with exiting projects. A study on CE with service-learning students and volunteers at a South African university identified issues and themes pertaining to termination as systematic process, emotional responses to termination, and the need to find closure. This paper argues that termination should be more integral to CE processes, and considering that CE experiences can influence further involvement, it is important to end engagement processes more conscientiously than currently happen
THE NEEDS OF CAREGIVERS OF BIPOLAR PATIENTS
Get PDFBipolar disorder (BD) is a mental health disorder that affects not only the person living with this chronic disease, but also the family and caregiver. Caregivers, often family members, do not realise how caregiving will impact on them and the rest of the family, until they experience it first-hand. This qualitative study used a collective case study and one-to-one interviews. Non-probability purposive sampling was used with selection criteria. One of the themes generated from the study was the needs of caregivers of patients with BD. Sub-themes included: acknowledgement, sacrificing their own needs, support (emotional and financial), information/knowledge, skills, tools and coping mechanisms, space/freedom/day off, order and stability, need for a programme and future plans. It was found that it is essential to address the needs of caregiver
CHALLENGES FACED BY PARENTS RAISING ADOLESCENTS ABUSING SUBSTANCES: PARENTS’ VOICES
Get PDFSubstance abuse among adolescents continues to be a serious condition that affects their growth, learning and relationships with their parents. This article discusses the effects of substance abuse on parents who are raising adolescents abusing substances. It is based on a study that sought an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of parents raising adolescents abusing substances in the community of Ramotse in Hammanskraal, Gauteng.A qualitative research approach with purposive and snowball sampling was abused. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed abusing Tesch’s eight steps. Guba’s model was applied for data verification. The findings reflect the challenges that parents face and the article offers suggestions for social work policy and practice to deal with substance abuse. Ethical issues were also taken into consideratio
UNDERSTANDING THE SEXUALITY OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES: PERCEPTIONS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Get PDFThe sexual expression of persons with intellectual disability is a neglected area, more particularly in residential facilities. This article is based on research to explore the perceptions of sexuality of persons with disability in residential facilities in Gauteng, South Africa. Results pointed to stereotyping, infantilisation and the sexuality of persons with disability not being prioritised at institutions, as evidenced in oppressive practices and policies pertaining to lack of privacy, denial of intimate relationships, lack of sexuality policies and paucity of sexual health education programmes at the residential facilities
POLICY SHORTCOMINGS AFFECTING TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION (TMC) IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Get PDFThe study took the form of a qualitative empirical case study in order to carry out a critical analysis of the shortcomings of existing policy pertaining to traditional male circumcision (TMC) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Interview guides were developed to conduct in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 28 participants. Among the principal conclusions from the findings were evidence of a lack of clarity on performing TMC operations, diverging perceptions of policy pertaining to TMC, unclear selection criteria for practitioners, and a lack of enforcement of policies which have been formulated. Recommendations are offered on the basis of the conclusions
Editorial
Get PDFThe articles in this issue capture research related to social work education and how adult employees, patients, families and couples experience various life stressors
PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES
Get PDFThis paper discusses the experiences of parents receiving family reunification services because their children have been placed in child and youth care centres. The sample was purposively selected according to inclusion criteria. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and guided by participatory learning action techniques. The findings were valuable as existing challenges were mentioned, like the unavailability of designated social workers and lack of communication, which in the end affected family reunification. The value of support became evident as the parents expressed how support assisted them while their children were in car