Experiences of Vulnerable Children in a South African Public Child and Youth Care Centre
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2020.09.152Keywords:
Community engagement, Universities, Vulnerable children, State intervention, Child and youth care centre, CaregiversAbstract
The article reflects on community engagement as an excellent method to build upon researchers’ cumulative knowledge in a specific discipline and to demonstrate the integration of that knowledge with real-life issues. This is followed by a literature review that examines complex life situations of the interaction between parenting and child abuse, specifically between structures and child welfare systems, that capture the lines between circumstances and individual action. A phenomenological approach is adopted of descriptive qualitative nature regarding the perception of the psychosocial well-being of vulnerable children in a child and youth care centre in Tshwane, South Africa. Findings point to the nature and extent of violence against children in South Africa. As this article does not cover the complete field of the welfare system, the aim is to foster a greater understanding of this system, which might lead to better and more research on vulnerable children after being placed in a child and youth care centre. Explanations offered include legislation and coordination mechanisms, including the associated gaps and challenges.
References
Bhagwan, R. (2018). Towards a conceptual understanding of community engagement in higher education in South Africa. Perspectives in Education, 35(1), 171-185. https://doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v35i1.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v35i1.13
Burke Harris, N. (2018). The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Center on the Developing child, Harvard University. (2020). Neglect. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/ deep-dives/neglect/
Child Care Act 74/1983. (1983). Retrieved from http://www.acts.co.za.
Child Welfare Tshwane. (2019). Who We Are. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.co.za/media-room/.
Childline Annual General Meeting Report. (2017/2018). Retrieved from https://www.childlinesa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/ Childline-SA-AGM-2017-2018.pdf.
Children’s Act 38/2005. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.acts.co.za.
Children’s Amendment Bill. (B19-2006). (2006). Retrieved from http://www.info.gov.za/gazette/bills/2006/b19-06.pdf.
Cluver, L & Gardner, F. (2007). Risk and protective factors for psychological well-being of children orphaned by AIDS in Cape Town: a qualitative study of children and caregivers’ perspectives, AIDS Care 19(3), 318-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540120600986578 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540120600986578
Dawes, A., De Sas Kropiwnicki, Z., Kafaar, Z., & Richter, L. (2005). Survey examines South Africa’s attitude towards corporal punishment. HSRC Article 19 1(2), 1-3.
Department of Social Development. (2009). The Children’s Act explained. Booklet 3. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov. za/vg/children/dsd- Childrens_Act_Explained_Booklet3_June 2009.pdf.
Dhludhlu, R. (4 May 2017). Abuse at children’s home investigated. Retrieved from https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/ news/abuse-at-childrens-home-investigated-20170504.
Giorgi, A. (2009). The Descriptive Phenomenological Method in Psychology. Pittsburgh, PA: Duquesne University Press.
Government Gazette No. 38 of 2005. (2005). Children’s Act. Vol. 492. Cape Town 19 June 2006. No. 28944.
Harris, J. R. (1999). How to succeed in childhood. In S. J. Ceci & W. M. Williams (Eds.), The nature-nurture debate: The essential readings (pp. 84-95). Oxford, England: Blackwell.
Holborn, L. & Eddy, G. (2011). First Steps to healing the South African family. Retrieved from https://irr.org.za/reports/ occasional-reports/files/first-steps-to-healing-the-south-african-family-final-report-mar-2011.pdf.
Hsiao, C., Fry, D., Ward, C. L., et al. (2018). Violence against children in South Africa: The cost of inaction to society and the economy. BMJ Global Health 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000573
Janssen, T. L, Van Dijk, M., Al Malki I., & Van As, A. B. (2013). Management of physical child abuse in South Africa: Literature review and children’s hospital analysis. Paediatrics and International Child Health 33(4), 216-227. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905513Y.0000000091 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905513Y.0000000091
Laing, S. (30 March 2016). Community engagement is what universities should be for. Retrieved from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/community-engagement-what-universities-should-be.
Legano, L., McHugh M. T., & Palusci, V. J. (2009). Child abuse and neglect. Health Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Care 39(31.e), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2008.11.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2008.11.001
Lindwa, B. (18 September 2019). South Africa divided over Court’s corporal punishment ruling. Retrieved from https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/south-africa-divided-over-concourt-corporal-punishment-ruling/.
Mohamed, N, & Naidoo, S. (2014). A review of child abuse and the role of the dental team in South Africa. South African Dental 69(6), 250-256. Retrieved from http://www.scielo.org.za/ scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162014000600009&lng=en&tlng=en.
Monde, M., Ntombizonke, A., Gumede, M. M., & Mohammed, V. (2017). Family in a changing South Africa: Structures, functions and the welfare of members. South African Review of Sociology, 48(2), 49-69. https://doi.org/10.1080/21528586.2017.1288166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21528586.2017.1288166
Perumal, N. & Kasiram, M. (2009). Living in Foster Care and in a Children’s Home: Voices of Children and Their Caregivers. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk 45(2). https://doi.org/10.15270/45-2-215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15270/45-2-215
Psychology Today South Africa. (2019). Child Neglect. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/conditions/child-neglect.
SAPS Annual Crime Stats. (2019/2020). Retrieved from https://www.saps.gov.za/services/april_to_march_2019_20_presentation.pdf
Szalavitza, (2012). (14 May 2012). In Understanding Psychopathic and Sadistic Minds. Retrieved from https://healthland.time. com/2012/05/14/understanding-the-psychopathic-mind/?xid=gonewsedit.
Unisa. (2013). Community Engagement and Outreach Policy. Retrieved from https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/corporate_web/ Content/About/Service%20departments/community%20engagement%20and%20outreach/documents/Community%20Engagement%20and%20Outreach%20Policy%20-%20rev%20appr%20Council%20-%2020.09.2013.pdf.
WHO. (8 June 2020). Child maltreatment. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-maltreatment.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Policy for Journals/Articles with Open Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work
Policy for Journals / Manuscript with Paid Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Publisher retain copyright .
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work .
