Browsing by Subject "Social development"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Open Access
    “A study of the reading practices of parents with young children in Mitchell’s Plain.”
    (2019) Lister, Katherine; Atmore, Eric
    This study “A study of the reading practices of parents with young children in Mitchell’s Plain” was conducted through a sample of five early childhood development (ECD) centres in Mitchell’s Plain. The study adopted a sequential transformative mixed method research design. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select the five ECD centres and from that sample convenience sampling was used to select the interview participants. The quantitative data comprised of 137 completed questionnaires and the qualitative data was collected through 14 face-to-face interviews. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to guide the faceto-face interviews. Main findings: While 99% of parents felt that reading with children is important only 7% of respondents report reading with their children on a daily basis. Parents are aware of the importance and developmental benefits of reading, but do not seem to be making the time to read frequently. Overall, only 30% of respondents are reading once a week or more with their children. A statistically significant correlation between reading frequency and number of readers was found as well as frequency of library visits and reading frequency. Most of the respondents (64%) reported having between one and ten books at home while there were 8% who do not have a single book at home. No statistically significant correlation was found between number of books or parental education and reading frequency. The barriers that are preventing parents from reading with their children were found to be a lack of time, financial, environmental and personal challenges as well as libraries not being open on the weekend. Alliteracy and a lack of personal motivation to read was also found to be a barrier to book sharing. Very few parents of the participants interviewed had heard of or been involved with literacy organisations but past experiences with reading seemed to have a positive influence on their current reading practices. Main recommendations: ECD centres are uniquely placed to be able to inform, encourage and monitor frequent book sharing. ECD centres should therefore be trained in the importance of early book sharing and in turn provide training and support for their parents. Furthermore, if ECD centres were equipped with libraries that parents who found accessing the local library a challenge they would be able to offer parents an invaluable resource. Investing in local libraries so that they are able to offer extended operating hours on the weekend and more resources for children under five years old is also recommended. Parenting programmes in various forms are also recommended to provide parents with the information and support needed to encourage frequent book sharing
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    Explaining and responding to the Ebola epidemic
    (2015-03-04) Benatar, Solomon
    Abstract The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is not merely a biomedical problem that can be seen in isolation and dealt with only through emergency medical rescue processes. The ethical dilemmas surfaced by this epidemic are also not confined to the usual micro-ethical problems associated with medical care and medical research. The pandemic, as one of many manifestations of failed human and social development that has brought the world to dangerous ‘tipping points’, requires deep introspection and action to address upstream causal processes.
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    Lived experiences of Zimbabwean labour migrants in the informal economy in Urban Cape Town during the COVID-19 pandemic
    (2023) Chinhara, Betty; Chagunda, Chance
    This research investigated the lived experiences of Zimbabwean labour migrants in the informal economy in urban Cape Town during the COVID-19 pandemic (hereafter referred to as COVID-19). The study was undertaken in Cape Town, South Africa. The major issues investigated included the lived experiences of Zimbabwean labour migrants in informal economy during COVID-19. The coping mechanisms used by Zimbabwean migrants to survive during the pandemic and the role local institutions played in enhancing the adaptation of migrants to the challenges that came with the COVID-19 was investigated. This qualitative study recruited 20 participants from Zimbabwe using purposive and snowball sampling. Face- to-face and telephonic interviews were used in data collection. The data was then analysed using thematic data analysis. Two theoretical frameworks; social exclusion theory and capability approach, were used in understanding designing of the study, and understanding the findings. The findings uncovered various challenges that were faced by Zimbabwean migrants during COVID-19. These include loss of livelihood opportunities, failure to send remittances home, unexpected changes in their social life, and exclusion from state-provided COVID-19 response packages. The findings further showed that to cope or adapt to these constraints Zimbabwean migrants adopted various mechanisms. These mechanisms included spending money from their pre-pandemic savings, relying on their social networks (family and friends) and some local institutions (churches and non-governmental organisations) for food, and financial support. The study discovered that COVID-19 helped some Zimbabweans to learn new skills to create entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves. A combination of these coping strategies demonstrated a high level of migrants' resilience which is critical in reducing their vulnerability relative to the effects of future pandemics and ongoing exclusions. The study concluded with recommendations. These included that the policy makers to be more inclusive of vulnerable migrants in formulating policies. There is need to provide social protection to migrants in difficult times such as the pandemic.
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    Living in Nyanga: an exploratory study on resilience among violence-affected male youth from a community in Cape Town
    (2023) Dikeni, Viwe; Holtzhausen, Leon
    Violence is prevalent in contemporary South Africa and is considered one of the country's primary challenges. There are many reasons for the skyrocketing levels of violence, all of which can be seen at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Not many studies have considered the resilience of people in violent communities, particularly young people. This study aims to understand the resiliency factors of the youth of Nyanga who are not involved in crime and violence. To achieve this, the objectives were to explore the perceptions of the youth of Nyanga regarding crime in their community, the impact it has on their lives, and their views on resiliency factors that have buffered them against crime and violence. This study uses an exploratory qualitative design to delve into the resilience of youth in violent communities and learn about the various crimes committed. It identifies factors that lead youths to a life of crime and asks what keeps their peers, who do not perpetrate crime and violence, from doing the same. Furthermore, this research looks into the policies and frameworks that impact the youth. A purposive, non-probability sampling technique was used to select the participants from two local youth organisations, the Nyanga Arts Development Centre and IkamvaYouth Nyanga. Qualitative data was gathered through individual semi- structured interviews and a thematic data analysis method was applied. To ensure the trustworthiness of the study, the relevant data verification was also done. The findings of this study confirm that there are many resilient youths in violent communities faced with adversities. The participants were able to engage in the topic thoroughly, sharing their experiences and practical advice that ensured they stayed away from violence. Interpersonal relationships with family and role models in the community were seen as buffers against violence for many of the participants in the study, as they indicated that these support structures gave them perspective and helped them cope with life challenges. The most important recommendation from the study is the need for resources for the community of Nyanga to help fund mentoring programmes for young boys, sporting initiatives to keep them occupied and teach them new skills, and visible community and police patrolling. Such positive inputs will help build and protect the youth and birth resilient youth who can distinguish between what is productive and beneficial to them and others in the community, and what is not. When aiming to understand the phenomenon of youth resilience in violent communities such as the Nyanga township, a holistic approach is of paramount importance when working with the youth. Publishing and addressing the findings and recommendations of this study will aid in promoting resilient and self-sufficient youth, which in turn helps curb the rate of violence in communities such as Nyanga.