Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE VIOLENT NEIGHBOURHOODS OF THE CAPE FLATS
Get PDFThis research consists of the presentation and analysis of focus group data obtained from a non-probability sample of foundation phase teachers from a primary school in a middle-class community on the Cape Flats. Like other communities in this area, the ordinary citizen is subjected to constant territorial gang wars, with the ever-present danger of being caught in the sudden crossfire of a violent uprising. Violence exists not only on the boundaries of school children’s areas, but also intrudes into the schools, including the school playground. Cognisant of the difficulties of teaching and learning in a perpetually unstable environment, a local non-profit organisation, Think Twice, provides training programmes in life skills in a pilot project called Circle Time to schools. Prior to this study, the programmes had not been evaluated. Think Twice consequently committed itself to researching programme effectiveness and to involve the teachers who are presenters of the programmes as co-researchers in the generation of data. Using a participatory design, the research aims to: 1) identify the precise need for life skills programmes in schools; and 2) institute relevant changes to the programmes in collaborative action. The researcher-facilitator is a representative of the organisation which designs and provides the training programme
THE KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE REGARDING HUMAN SEXUALITY AND SEX THERAPY
Get PDFSexual problems or dysfunctions remain one of the prominent reasons for marital and relationship problems. Sexuality is, however, only one of many components of a marriage or of a committed relationship. Relationship problems and sexual problems are often interlinked. The fact that sexual problems are often only symptoms of deeper relationship issues makes the social worker the ideal person to treat these sexual problems from a holistic perspective and within a relationship context. The nature of this research study thus evolved from the presumed lack of knowledge of social workers in private practice, and who specialise in couples therapy, regarding human sexuality and sex therapy. A qualitative research approach is used and applied research was conducted. An exploratory research design is utilised and a self-constructed, mailed questionnaire was used as method of data collection. This research study found that the respondents answered only 58.53% of the knowledge-based questions correctly, thereby confirming their suspected lack of knowledge regarding human sexuality and sex therapy. The research results indicated a need for specialised education and training of social workers in the field of human sexuality and sex therapy
ASSESSMENT OF A COMMUNITY: PROMOTING AN EQUITABLE SOCIETY THROUGH INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT
Get PDFTo adhere to the new developmental welfare policy of South Africa, the Department of Social Work at the Rand Afrikaans University (South Africa) in co-operation with the African Self-Help Association (ASHA), a non-profit organisation, conducted a needs assessment for Soweto among all the families connected with the 40 preschool crèches of ASHA. Findings from participatory action research indicated a need for four different programmes: programmes for preschool children; programmes to enhance community leadership; family enrichment programmes; and special delivery programmes regarding HIV/AIDS, disability, crime and violence, illiteracy, poverty alleviation and substance abuse. Through the principle of inclusion, people took ownership of these programmes, which in turn had an empowering effect on them
AIDS AND BEREAVEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFAIDS is the leading cause of death in South Africa and attention needs to be focused on the needs of countless individuals who grieve AIDS-related deaths. Social workers must be prepared to assist those who grieve AIDS-related losses, especially children, women, and the elderly. AIDS-related bereavement must be understood in terms of the complex social, political, and economic factors inherent in South African society. Strategies are suggested for addressing AIDS-related bereavement in the local context
DIE BENUTTING VAN MUSIEK TYDENS GROEPWERK MET DWELM-AFHANKLIKES
Get PDFThis study is based on the question: What does social group work and music therapy have in common? When utilized during intervention aimed at the drug dependent client, the advantages of the different methods augment to the definite benefit of the client. Both strategies aim to improve the client’s communication skills, his capacity to deal with resistance, anger control and other negative feelings. Social group work as well as music therapy enhances the exploration of and expression of suppressed feelings and as such motivates socialisation. With music providing the much needed relaxing and bonding factor, the drug dependent person feels more comfortable in the group, free to express feelings and therefore more motivated towards treatment. Following a theoretical motivation, the authors provide useful guidelines for uti-lizing specific music to gain specific results during group work with drug dependant persons
THE APPROPRIATENESS AND NECESSITY OF SHORT-TERM THERAPY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
Get PDFThe existence of work-related problems such as job stress experienced by employees in the workplace and personal problems such as marital problems, interpersonal problems and emotional stress underlines the importance of psychotherapy by employee assistance professionals. Googins as quoted by Sprang (1992:57) emphasises the fact that there is a need for Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service delivery to be cost effective in order to be beneficial to both employee and employer
THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF CAR GUARDS: INTERVENTIVE ROLES OF THE SOCIAL WORKER
Get PDFIn South Africa unemployment is a major problem and many people are desperate to make an earnest living and are prepared to do any job as long as it brings in enough money for a roof over their heads and food on the table. Crime has become a major social problem within the South African society and motor vehicle thefts and car burglaries are high on the list of crime statistics. Police and security protection services are unable to keep guard over all the parking areas and informal car guards did not provide the answer. To address this problem, car watch organisations were introduced in the city centers. Social workers should identify those people who are especially vulnerable, including car guards, and ensure that their abilities and potential are developed and strengthened. The objective of the research project was to study the survival skills of car guards relating to their economic and social circumstances. The phenomena of difficult customers, dangerous and harsh working conditions, and poor remuneration were investigated. A qualitative study accompanied by a phenomenological research design was implemented for the study. Field research and specifically in-depth personal interviewing and naturalistic observation were used as research procedures
HIVISM1: A PERVASIVE SYSTEM OF OPPRESSION
Get PDFThis paper, structured in three parts, argues that the negative treatment meted out to people living with HIV/AIDS by those who are HIV negative or unaware of their serostatus, constitutes oppression. The writer draws on a qualitative study that explores the perceptions and experiences of nine individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In part one the terms stigma, prejudice, discrimination and oppression are unpacked. In the second part the writer describes the research strategy used to understand the participant’s subjective experiences of prejudice and discrimination. Part three integrates the voices from the interviews together with the literature and empirical analysis. The following themes emerged: (1) Negative labels and stereotypes, (2) Unprovoked attacks on person and property, (3) Institutional discrimination and exclusion, (4) Internalised HIVism (people who accept the negative views of themselves experience feelings of guilt, shame and self-blame), and (5) Horizontal HIVism (people living with HIV/AIDS direct hostility and mistreat others who are HIV positive)
CONDOM USE AND HIV/AIDS: PRECAUTIONARY BEHAVIOUR AMONG BOTSWANA YOUTH
Get PDFThe article is based on a research study of a random sample of 250 young people aged between 12 and 18 years attending private secondary schools in Gaborone. The main focus was to assess young peoples’ attitudes towards and knowledge of HIV/AIDS precautionary behaviour, and the link between certain behaviours such as inconsistent use of condoms and HIV infection. It is evident that young people are very knowledgeable about precautions against HIV/AIDS, and the relationships between certain behaviours and HIV infection. However, this awareness does not necessarily translate into change in sexual behaviou
BELEID VIR MIDDELMISBRUIK IN HOËRSKOLE
Get PDFSubstance abuse amongst the youth is a growing concern in South Africa. There is also a need for schools to formulate a policy and to design programmes to deal with substance abuse in schools. The aim of this paper is to present some of the perceptions of learners on the relevance of formulating a policy for substance abuse in a school. The rest of the paper is devoted to a problem-solving model which can be used in the process of policy formulation. Recommendations are made that can be used by schools when formulating a policy for substance abus