Parenting in high violence communities in South Africa: an exploratory study

Sader, Uzma

Parenting in high violence communities in South Africa: an exploratory study

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Parents living in high-violence communities face unique challenges as they strive to raise and protect their children in environments marked by crime, substance abuse, and systemic injustices. While research has extensively explored the effects of community violence on children, there is limited understanding of how parents adapt their parenting practices and manage the stressors associated with parenting in these contexts. This study aimed to explore the experiences of South African parents in high-violence communities by focusing on the strategies they employed to protect their children, the challenges they faced, and the coping mechanisms they adopted. The study used a qualitative design to conduct semi-structured interviews with 16 parents residing in a Cape Town residential area marked by high levels of community violence. A Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) yielded four key themes: adaptive parenting practices to ensure safety, the emotional toll of parenting in violent environments, the role of cultural, religious, and community influences in parenting, and the systemic barriers hindering effective parenting. Despite the challenges presented in these findings, parents displayed resilience and a strong desire to ensure the well-being of their children. The study contributes valuable insights into the lived realities of parents in high-violence communities and highlights the importance of tailored interventions that support parents in navigating these adversities. These findings have implications for developing community-based programs and policies aimed at alleviating the impacts of community violence on families in South Africa.