Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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INFORMING EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES FOR FARM WORKERS: AN EXPLORATION OF THE SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS OF FARM WORKERS IN THE KOUP
Get PDFFarm workers are viewed as a neglected segment in South African society. This qualitative research study focused on exploring and describing the needs of farm workers in Central Koup in the Western Cape. The aim was to contribute to finding solutions to deal with the identified needs through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), a specialisation in the field of occupational social work
WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF LACK OF SEXUAL DESIRE IN RELATIONSHIPS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION
Get PDFSexual desire disorders are both the most common and the most challenging of all the sexualproblems confronting practitioners. International statistics suggests that between 33% and 67%of women indicate low sexual interest (Brezsnyak & Whisman, 2004; Davies, Katz & Jackson,1999; Hicks, 2006; Pridal & LoPicollo, 2000). Little if any attention has been paid to thesubject of low sexual desire in women in South Africa, and the paucity of local research in thefield of sexual disorders (Robinson, 2005) means that there is a need for local perspectives onthe issue and for the development of local expertise in the realm of sexual health (Craig, 2002;Smit, 1997)
A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE LABEL “STREET CHILDREN”: CHALLENGES FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS
Get PDFThe article offers a conceptual analysis of the concept of “street children”. The literature review was inspired by the research findings of 37 student social workers at an open distance university in 2011 who conducted research among “street children” and found that these children are vehemently opposed to being referred to in this way. The implications for social work practice are therefore that, unless professionals, key stakeholders and affected children engage in conversations on this matter, initiatives for effective and sustainable transformative intervention for affected children will remain a pipe dream
POVERTY, DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY
Get PDFHendriks (1999:111) highlights the point that all studies during the past decade indicate, namely that person’s with disabilities and their families are disproportionately represented amongst the poorest of poor. With the change of perception of persons with disabilities, it is now realised that environmental factors and the context in which such persons live are crucial in the success of their becoming productive members of society. As a result of this understanding, the socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities within a developmental framework is being advocated. The author will highlight the need for synergy between mainstream development and those developments specifically for persons with disabilities, given the South African context. In South Africa the majority of the population lives in poverty and in underdeveloped communities with few resources and opportunities. It is argued that it would be difficult to meet the needs of the disabled in these circumstances. In such situations most disability issues are important to all development: equality, empowerment, human rights, poverty and marginalisation (Lee cited in Yeo, 2001:8). In the light of this, the author stresses the need for, and the benefit of, integrating disability issues into all development programmes at community level. The integration of disability issues into all development programmes is a cost-effective approach in dealing with poverty and disability in resource-poor settings. Challenges in implementing this approach will be discussed
IDENTIFICATION AND INITIAL CARE PROCESS OF CHILD VICTIMS OF TRANSNATIONAL TRAFFICKING: A SOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVE
Get PDFChild trafficking violates children’s rights and undermines their protection. Under-identification of child victims of trafficking has been reported to be a challenge globally and in South Africa. This article illustrates the process a social worker could apply when identifying child victims of transnational trafficking. Findings of the qualitative research reveal that there is no single point of entry for a trafficked child and thus there can be several actors in the identification process; it was also found that initial care and protection are also essential. The role of social workers in the identification-assessment-care process is highlighted.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SOCIAL WORKERS’ JOB SATISFACTION, STRESS AND BURNOUT
Get PDFSocial work was classified as a scare skill and the retention of social workers is an important aspect that needs urgent attention. The research goal of this study was to determine what degree of work engagement and job satisfaction South African social workers experience in their current positions and how this influences job turnover, burnout and the intention to leave the profession. The purpose was to determine the needs social workers experience that will affect turnover in the profession. The needs/problems social workers experienced were stress, burnout, lower job satisfaction and work engagement.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE INFORMAL CAREGIVING SETTING
Get PDFThis article provides an overview of factors contributing to elder abuse and neglect within the informal caregiving setting from the perspective of ecological theory. This theory offers a deeper understanding of the complexity of elder abuse by considering the interactions that take place across a number of interrelated systems as well as the multiple risk factors that contribute to elder abuse and neglect. Researchers, policy makers and practitioners need to develop awareness of the risk factors regarding elder abuse and neglect, and to develop appropriate interventions in response to elder abuse and neglec
HEAVY DRINKING AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AT AND AROUND DIFFERENT ALCOHOL OUTLETS IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFSouth Africa has one of the highest per capita alcohol consumption levels in the world, with social norms dictating that when people drink, then consumption is heavy. On the other hand, South Africa also faces a globally unprecedented problem of violence directed particularly against women – a situation which undermines the national development of the country, with possibilities even of hindering the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (Jewkes, Abrahams, Mathews, Seedat, Van Niekerk, Suffla & Ratele, 2009:1-2). There is substantial evidence from various researchers attesting to the relation between alcohol outlets and violence. However, the specific risk factors involved based on the geography of the outlets together with the dynamic nature and distribution of violence remain obscure. The objective of this study is to address this obscurity by investigating the risk factors in heavy drinking and interpersonal violence at and around different alcohol outlets in demarcated areas of the North West province of South Africa
SUSTAINABILITY OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS DURING CLIMATES OF REDUCED FUNDING: A CASE STUDY OF THE JOHANNESBURG JEWISH HELPING HAND SOCIETY
Get PDFThis study explores how the values, theoretical principles as well as human resource and funding strategies underpinning service delivery in the Johannesburg Jewish Helping Hand Society might have contributed to the sustainability of the organisation during a time of reduced funding. Interviews were conducted with 15 key informants. The main finding was that the Jewish value of ‘chesed’ (loving kindness to one’s neighbours), the importance of community life, and the notion of giving to charity are actualised in addressing social issues. These values help to sustain this organisation as community members donate funds and make their skills available for community service
Working with groups
Get PDFThis valuable addition to the group work literature focuses on the integration of theory andpractice of group work in the South African context. The communication network that is set upin groups, be it be conflict resolution groups, therapeutic groups or support groups, becomes avital channel through which the work of the group is done. The important facet of group workpractice, namely the interface between individuals, families, communities and the broadersociety, also receives attention in this book. The learning objectives formulated for everychapter give an indication of what can be expected in a particular chapter, and this can beregarded as an excellent way of adding to the scientific value of the boo