Supporting Child-Headed Households in South Africa

Whose Best Interests

Bibliographic Data

ID3174771
AuthorsDiana Van Dijk (0000-0002-8232-4513, Radboud University Nijmegen), Francien Van Driel (Radboud University Nijmegen)
Year2009
Volume35
Issue4
Pages915-927
Publication date2009-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Southern African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0305-7070 • E-ISSN: 1465-3893
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03057070903313251
OpenAlexW2099492655
LanguageEN
Citations received10

This article examines assumptions about the provision of support for children and young people in child-headed households in sub-Saharan Africa. The South African example is used to assess appropriate family- and community-based support and assistance. The South African Children's Act proposes that child-headed households should be supported by an adult mentor, who will act in the children and young people's best interests. However, qualitative research among child-headed households in Port Elizabeth shows that so-called ‘adult support’ mostly does not contribute to children and young people's well-being. Children and young people often are not consulted about care arrangements, are not taken seriously, or are even worse off after adult interventions, resulting in many having a sense of powerlessness over their situation. An emphasis on access to social grants increases the potential for abuse of these youngsters. The study reveals the value of taking generational constructions into account in assessing current practice and developing more appropriate support arrangements

Child support · Economic growth · Economics · Political science · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Child Welfare and Adoption · Law · Legal Issues in South Africa · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology

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