A phenomenological study on the experiences of adults, in Nongoma KwaZulu Natal who headed households in their childhood
- Authors: Buthelezi, Nondumiso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Orphanages Households
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17652 , vital:41132
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who headed households in their childhood. The phenomenon of child-headed households is intricate and multidimensional. Not only does it have implications on the family system, it also impacts on the community and has insightful consequences for the welfare of children, as well as the realisation of their rights. The rationale for the study was to explore the phenomena of child-headed households from a reflective perspective, from previous child headers of households. In order to carry out this aim, the researcher utilised the systems theory, kinship theory, as well as the African philosophy of Ubuntu to anchor the study. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as a qualitative research methodology in this study. Data was generated through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the four purposively selected participants. The interviews with the participants were recorded and further transcribed verbatim. The IPA data analysis, as set out by Jonathan Smith, was applied manually to the transcribed extracts. The findings of the study indicated that headers of child households face challenges related to psychological well-being, emotional well-being as well as educational difficulties. It is recommended that government strengthen policies that will support and protect children who are heading families
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An Analysis of Career Discourses in Life Orientation Textbooks of Eastern Cape Schools
- Authors: Du Toit , Julie
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Life skills Vocational guidance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17580 , vital:41101
- Description: Life Orientation (LO) was introduced in schools by the new ANC government post 1994. Its introduction provided a platform to re-introduce career guidance to learners in schools with the aim of assisting them in making well-versed choices regarding their prospective careers and the subject selections pertaining to them (Department of Basic Education, 2011). Although no previous studies in the LO arena have focused on career discourses, previous literature on career discourses, in general, suggests that the models and theories still employed today have been heavily influenced by Western individualistic values. This has been found to create a disconnect between the South African subjects and the context they exist in, rendering these discourses unable to provide substantive assistance in the career decision making process. This study seeks to determine whether the career discourses located in the selected texts speak to the subjectivity and agency of the learner to make informed decisions. The current study examined the career discourses present in the LO textbooks utilised in Eastern Cape schools. The study sampled LO textbooks from Grades 10-12, as this group of learners are preparing to make critical further studying and career decisions and require guidance in their decision making process. A social constructionist lens was applied to the study by means of a Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, making use of Willig’s (2013) six step process as a reference. Dominant discourses of the objective self, neoliberal self and the transitioning adolescent were uncovered in the texts, which suggests that, rather than challenge the dominant discourses that have prevailed in career theory and practice, the LO careers curriculum further reinforces them.
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Investigation of Sexual Relationships among gay students at the University Of Fort Hare (Alice Campus), Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Mbanga , T.Q
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gay youth Sex (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17619 , vital:41129
- Description: The main aim of the study was to investigate sexual relationships among gay students at the University of Fort Hare (Alice Campus), Eastern Cape. A qualitative research design was followed and semi-structured interview schedules were issued to twelve participants. The queer theory underpinned this study and it is based on the notion that individuals are able to determine their sexual identity and sexual orientation as they are. The participants, aged 18-25 years, were purposively selected to share their sexual behaviour as gays. The ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality, privacy and protection from harm, were adhered to, throughout the study. Prior identification of the themes, coding took place. The following themes were very important in the research and they helped to achieve the aim of the study and they are; challenges gay students experience in their relationships, closet partners, social networks sexual partners among gay students, condom use among gay students, sexual agreements among gay students, condom use, condom self-efficacy, honesty and communication, social support, self-esteem, liberal community and non-homophobic, traditional male circumcision, sexual agreements among gay students ,pornography viewing , sexual abuse among gay students, discrimination in residence, religiosity and perception towards marriage among gay students. Based on the findings, it is recommended that there should be communication among gay couples to avoid lot of conflicts. Also, there should be education about homosexuality in communities, schools and tertiary institutions as many people treat gays badly owing to lack of knowledge
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The construction and positioning of pregnant learners within contemporary South African legislation and policy
- Authors: Naidoo, Tashmin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pregnant teenagers Educational law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16517 , vital:40727
- Description: In South Africa, nearly a third of women have children before they reach the age of 20, and basic education is compulsory until the age of 16. Many learners within the South African context continue to attend school until they are at least 20. Of all those teenage girls who fall pregnant, it is estimated that only around a third stay in school during their pregnancy and return following childbirth, with the highest return rate among those in Grade 12. As a result the government is committed to enforcing legislation and policy that protects and allows for pregnant learners to exercise their rights. The rationale of the study focuses on the fact that, rights-based documents are often at odds with the hierarchical spaces within schools. In practice, teachers and school managers continue to have the power to exclude pregnant learners. Although there is excellent legislation and progressive policy, these documents do not address the larger ideological landscape that impacts on the successful implementation of policy. Often policy is contradictory, ambiguous and draws on very conservative discourse. The aims of this study were to analyze the positioning of the pregnant learner within legislation and policy. A qualitative framework utilizing positioning theory was adopted in order to understand how the pregnant learner is positioned and constructed within relevant policy and legislation. This was accomplished by critically analyzing the discourses used within policy in order to tease out various themes or discourses, for example the pregnant learner as an ‘unfit mother’, as responsible, or as rights bearing etc. This was done in order to understand how the pregnant learner is positioned and what the implications of this positioning impose upon her life. The analysis suggests that pregnant learners are positioned as shifting ‘subjects’ in order to achieve very specific aims. The study established that their rights are not always absolute but contingent on other factors, that she is positioned as transitional, vulnerable, and rights-bearing and expected to be responsible. It is recommended that these policies be amended through a process of engagement with teachers and school management in order to ensure the rights of pregnant learners in schools.
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The exploration of the psychological well-being of people living with hiv/aids (PLWHA) in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Nodwengu, Nombulelo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16495 , vital:40725
- Description: The study explored the psychological well-being of PLWHA in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aim was to describe how they cope physically, socially and psychologically in their everyday lives as they deal with the consequences of stress while living with HIV. The researcher employed exploratory qualitative research. Fifteen participants from one of the support groups under the supervision of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) District office in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, consisting of seven males and eight females, aged from 20-60 gave their consent to be interviewed. The majority of the participants depended on the child support grant while others were doing part-time jobs in order to make a living. These results demonstrated that PLWHA are doing well in terms of accepting their HIVpositive status, accessing treatment and getting support. They use selfmotivation, spirituality or religion and support groups as coping strategies. However, unemployment still plays a primary role in the psychological wellbeing of PLWHA in Lusikisiki as people lack means to make ends meet which results in them constantly being in a state of turmoil, stressing about where their next meal will come from thus influencing negatively on their quality of life. It is recommended that community projects such as growing chickens and planting vegetables in gardens for generating income and for their own consumption could assist in making the lives of PLWHA better if there could be funders who would be willing to sponsor such projects.
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