Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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HOUSING NEEDS: THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF HOUSING PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE POOR IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFThe article is based on a study of the implementation of housing programmes in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A sample of 250 residents took part in a survey and housing officials, representatives of political parties, municipal managers, councillors and social workers were interviewed. The findings revealed that most of the houses had been constructed from substandard materials and evinced poor workmanship, such as poorly fitting doors and windows, cracked walls and weak roofs and floors. The numbers of housing units and the number of rooms in them were inadequate in terms of both demand and construction targets. Although houses are being provided, their quality poses a threat to the health, safety and human dignity of the intended beneficiaries
VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE CASE OF LAVELA OLD AGE CENTRE, NTSELAMANZI, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFFRICA
Get PDFThere is no doubt that older persons face an environment bereft of resources, rights and dignity. This study was explorative and descriptive in design, with data collected from in-depth discussions with the elderly. Findings revealed diametrically opposed factors, with some older persons happily accessing an array of psychosocial benefits, while some had their grants mishandled or complained of the inadequacy of the grant. Others felt their rights to housing were largely being compromised. This paper recommends that the government prioritise the older persons’ state of housing and provide funding for old age centres to ensure that they become sources of psychosocial benefit for elderly members of society
YOUNG UNMARRIED FATHERS’ EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF FATHERHOOD
Get PDFThis article is based on a qualitative research study focusing on young unmarried fathers’ experiences and perceptions of fatherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine fathers in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants had a total of fifteen children, four of whom lived with their fathers and paternal families. Findings indicated that high unemployment, non-payment of maintenance and cultural damages, and disputes with mothers and maternal families impacted significantly on father-child contact. All the participants wished to be more involved with their children and their conception of fatherhood extended beyond being just a provider to more nurturing roles
IMPLEMENTING ABCD TOOLS AND PROCESSES IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENT PRACTICE
Get PDFSocial workers tend to be apprehensive about macro-level work and community development, despite community development being a key strategy in developmental social welfare. All student social workers in South Africa are required to develop knowledge, skills and field practice experience in community development. This article explores the application of asset-based community-driven development (ABCD) in the context of field education. The learning diaries of second-year social work students were analysed in order to gain an understanding of students’ views and experiences of ABCD. The findings reveal that students respond positively to ABCD and start to appreciate the value of community development
FATHERS’ EXPERIENCE AND PERCEPTIONS OF PARENT ALIENATION IN HIGH-CONFLICT DIVORCE
Get PDFThis research focuses on providing social workers with a deeper insight into fathers’ experience and perceptions of parent alienation in instances of high-conflict divorce. An exploratory and interpretative research design was used in this qualitative study. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews with each participant individually as well as by field notes made by the researcher. It was clear from the research that fathers experience parent alienation as traumatic or negative at several levels of functioning. Parent alienation is a reality and the necessity for further research on this phenomenon was clearly evident
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITHIN A SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME IN RURAL INDIA
Get PDFInterweaving community engagement into education coheres with social work’s commitment to social justice. This paper focuses on a visit to an academic department in India. The visit focused on understanding the placement of students in a community context and its related projects. A qualitative design was used to conduct interviews and focus group discussions with academics, students and a community leader. Data were also gained through a field visit in the village. Valuable lessons emerged regarding the importance of community engagement in social work education and how social justice, advocacy and empowerment were interweaved into students’ learning experiences
Editorial
Get PDFThe articles presented in his issue of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk include, on the one hand, the response of social work to trauma experienced by adults, and on the other hand, the support that social work offers to vulnerable children
TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF MOTHERS’ DREAM, DESIGN AND DESTINY PROCESSES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN A LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT: AN APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
Get PDFThis qualitative paper promotes the phenomenological understanding of how mothers from a low socio economic environment (LSEE) envision, design and implement their future perspective of their relationship with their children. In this single instrumental case study ddata were collected through two consecutive focus group discussions with twelve purposefully selected participants, utilising the World Café Method and Appreciative Inquiry: 1) to collect data; 2) as a research method that also facilitates change. Findings revealed difficulties envisioning a future and verbalising concepts such as dream, design and destiny. Findings reveal that boundaries are over or under realistic; dreams are clouded by parenting issues, however strong emotional interactions in relationships and wishes to fulfil children’s needs through open respectful communication and friendship exists. Insight is gained that togetherness influences relationships; the present influences the future, especially relating to how discipline is executed. Mothers shared future plans for support. Support needed for possible interventions in building on strengths to promote closeness in their relationships with their children is highlighted
Editorial
Get PDFThe articles in this issue capture challenges related to a range of care, support and intervention services and resources needed by or offered to those infected or affected by HIV and AIDS; children and unmarried fathers involved in court procedures and decisions; adolescent boys living in a Child and Youth Care Centre; and counsellors from non-governmental organisations working with intimate partner violence