Narrative play therapy and the journey of a boy diagnosed with a learning disability: a case study
- Authors: Topper, Kegan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Play therapy -- Case studies , Narrative therapy -- Case studies , Children with disabilities , Learning disabilities , Cognitive therapy for children , Play -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/313 , Play therapy -- Case studies , Narrative therapy -- Case studies , Children with disabilities , Learning disabilities , Cognitive therapy for children , Play -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study offers a detailed exploration of the personal narrative of a nine year old boy diagnosed with a learning disability, and explains how the nature of the therapeutic relationship facilitated shifts in his personal understandings of himself, others and the world. Children diagnosed with learning disabilities experience a range of challenges in their different life contexts, and particularly within the school context. This is often because of constant evaluation and surveillance from teachers, family members and peers, who define the child within rigid and limiting frameworks. Soon enough children diagnosed with learning disabilities develop problem-saturated narratives that can significantly influence their relationship with themselves and others. This is because the individualising effects of having a disability cause them to feel different or isolated from their peers. This study illustrates an eight session case study, facilitated by a narrative play therapy approach, between a counsellor, a child and his parents. The therapeutic encounters were intended to assist the child in moving away from problem-saturated narratives of incompetence and inferiority towards more preferred narratives that would positively influence his self esteem. Key words: learning disability, dyslexia, narrative, narrative therapy, identity, self esteem. Children Diagnosed with a Learning Disability Children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability often experience themselves and their world very differently from other children (Rodis, Garrod, & Boscardin, 2001). Within the educational system a considerable amount of pressure is placed on children to succeed. The educational discourse of achievement that professes itself to be the only direction from which a successful future can be attained, marginalizes and rejects those children whose knowledge and skills exist outside this rigid and oftentimes insensitive system of evaluation. As a result, children soon create problem saturated narratives, believing themselves to be the problem. However, in the last two decades there has been a move from reductionism to constructivism and as a result research in the field of learning disabilities has started to focus on children’s non-traditional strengths and talents, which are often misunderstood and ignored by schools. Armstrong (1987) sums it up as follows: The schools allow millions of imaginative kids to go unrecognised
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Topper, Kegan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Play therapy -- Case studies , Narrative therapy -- Case studies , Children with disabilities , Learning disabilities , Cognitive therapy for children , Play -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/313 , Play therapy -- Case studies , Narrative therapy -- Case studies , Children with disabilities , Learning disabilities , Cognitive therapy for children , Play -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study offers a detailed exploration of the personal narrative of a nine year old boy diagnosed with a learning disability, and explains how the nature of the therapeutic relationship facilitated shifts in his personal understandings of himself, others and the world. Children diagnosed with learning disabilities experience a range of challenges in their different life contexts, and particularly within the school context. This is often because of constant evaluation and surveillance from teachers, family members and peers, who define the child within rigid and limiting frameworks. Soon enough children diagnosed with learning disabilities develop problem-saturated narratives that can significantly influence their relationship with themselves and others. This is because the individualising effects of having a disability cause them to feel different or isolated from their peers. This study illustrates an eight session case study, facilitated by a narrative play therapy approach, between a counsellor, a child and his parents. The therapeutic encounters were intended to assist the child in moving away from problem-saturated narratives of incompetence and inferiority towards more preferred narratives that would positively influence his self esteem. Key words: learning disability, dyslexia, narrative, narrative therapy, identity, self esteem. Children Diagnosed with a Learning Disability Children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability often experience themselves and their world very differently from other children (Rodis, Garrod, & Boscardin, 2001). Within the educational system a considerable amount of pressure is placed on children to succeed. The educational discourse of achievement that professes itself to be the only direction from which a successful future can be attained, marginalizes and rejects those children whose knowledge and skills exist outside this rigid and oftentimes insensitive system of evaluation. As a result, children soon create problem saturated narratives, believing themselves to be the problem. However, in the last two decades there has been a move from reductionism to constructivism and as a result research in the field of learning disabilities has started to focus on children’s non-traditional strengths and talents, which are often misunderstood and ignored by schools. Armstrong (1987) sums it up as follows: The schools allow millions of imaginative kids to go unrecognised
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Racial exploitation and double oppression in selected Bessie Head and Doris Lessing texts
- Authors: Kirton, Teneille
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/232 , Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Description: During the era of discrimination and disparity in Southern Africa, racial inequality silenced many black writers. It was the white authors that dominated the literary environment presenting their biased views on social and political concerns; the black authors standpoints were seen as unimportant and they were deemed inferior to the white authors. Consequently, it was particularly difficult for black writers to voice their experiences of living in a society riddled with oppression, prejudice and unequal opportunities. The purpose of this study is to critically compare selected texts by African authors Doris Lessing and Bessie Head, which depict the political and social struggles within Southern African society during the era of unequal opportunities. Lessing and Head’s works present incidents of life experiences in Southern Africa from two contrasting viewpoints. The selected texts explored are: The Grass is Singing and “The Old Chief Mshlanga” by Doris Lessing, a white author, in contrast and comparison to the texts: A Question of Power and “The Collector of Treasures” by Bessie Head, a coloured author. The research for this thesis is conducted from an ethnic literary perspective with careful consideration to critical race theory and cultural studies. From this perspective, the focus of the study is on the struggles that affected both the victim and perpetrator during the apartheid era as well as on the idea that those in power determined what was deemed acceptable and unacceptable, behaviourally and ideologically. Specifically, the plight experienced by the female characters living in a patriarchal society, and the segregation and racial inequality faced by the characters of colour is explored by analysing these characters’ influences, pressures and societal manipulations and constraints in the texts. Thus, this study will provide a more in-depth understanding of Southern African society during the apartheid era and the strategic use of literature to spotlight the subjugation and disparity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kirton, Teneille
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/232 , Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Description: During the era of discrimination and disparity in Southern Africa, racial inequality silenced many black writers. It was the white authors that dominated the literary environment presenting their biased views on social and political concerns; the black authors standpoints were seen as unimportant and they were deemed inferior to the white authors. Consequently, it was particularly difficult for black writers to voice their experiences of living in a society riddled with oppression, prejudice and unequal opportunities. The purpose of this study is to critically compare selected texts by African authors Doris Lessing and Bessie Head, which depict the political and social struggles within Southern African society during the era of unequal opportunities. Lessing and Head’s works present incidents of life experiences in Southern Africa from two contrasting viewpoints. The selected texts explored are: The Grass is Singing and “The Old Chief Mshlanga” by Doris Lessing, a white author, in contrast and comparison to the texts: A Question of Power and “The Collector of Treasures” by Bessie Head, a coloured author. The research for this thesis is conducted from an ethnic literary perspective with careful consideration to critical race theory and cultural studies. From this perspective, the focus of the study is on the struggles that affected both the victim and perpetrator during the apartheid era as well as on the idea that those in power determined what was deemed acceptable and unacceptable, behaviourally and ideologically. Specifically, the plight experienced by the female characters living in a patriarchal society, and the segregation and racial inequality faced by the characters of colour is explored by analysing these characters’ influences, pressures and societal manipulations and constraints in the texts. Thus, this study will provide a more in-depth understanding of Southern African society during the apartheid era and the strategic use of literature to spotlight the subjugation and disparity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the rural community: a case study of Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Alao, Abiodun Oyebimpe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/236 , Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates the impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the Alice rural community. The rationale for carrying out the study has to do with the limited access to ICTs by farmers residing in this rural community which in turn affects their productivity and increase in the volume of agricultural production. The core argument of the study is that the use of ICTs has positive spinoffs on agricultural development which leads to improvement in the quality and quantity of agricultural production. Conversely lack of access to ICTs can result in inability to enhance agricultural productivity in rural areas such as Alice. Furthermore, it is argued herein that technological information devices such as ICTs are essential communication and information tools; and as such, should be regarded as useful communication media for disseminating relevant agricultural information to farmers residing in rural communities. In conducting this study theoretical frameworks such as Rogers’ diffusion of innovation and development theories encompassing both the participatory approach and development support communication were presented and argued for as approaches suitable for the study. Triangulations of research methods, such as, qualitative and quantitative methods, were utilized for the collection of data for this study. As is common practice, the triangulation method was used in cross checking and supplementing data/information collected through the utilization of each of the methods. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools for this study owing to their ability to generate clear and precise responses or answers to the questions posed. The key findings of the study show that the limited access to ICTs in the Alice rural community was caused by factors such as low level of literacy, age and language barriers which in turn affected the adoption of ICTs amongst the Alice farmers. Amongst the recommendations emanating from this study is the idea that the adoption of ICTs for agricultural information can be fast-tracked through the implementation of telecentres/kiosk and information centers for easy access to information and communication services in the rural community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Alao, Abiodun Oyebimpe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/236 , Community information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigates the impact of ICTs for agricultural development in the Alice rural community. The rationale for carrying out the study has to do with the limited access to ICTs by farmers residing in this rural community which in turn affects their productivity and increase in the volume of agricultural production. The core argument of the study is that the use of ICTs has positive spinoffs on agricultural development which leads to improvement in the quality and quantity of agricultural production. Conversely lack of access to ICTs can result in inability to enhance agricultural productivity in rural areas such as Alice. Furthermore, it is argued herein that technological information devices such as ICTs are essential communication and information tools; and as such, should be regarded as useful communication media for disseminating relevant agricultural information to farmers residing in rural communities. In conducting this study theoretical frameworks such as Rogers’ diffusion of innovation and development theories encompassing both the participatory approach and development support communication were presented and argued for as approaches suitable for the study. Triangulations of research methods, such as, qualitative and quantitative methods, were utilized for the collection of data for this study. As is common practice, the triangulation method was used in cross checking and supplementing data/information collected through the utilization of each of the methods. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools for this study owing to their ability to generate clear and precise responses or answers to the questions posed. The key findings of the study show that the limited access to ICTs in the Alice rural community was caused by factors such as low level of literacy, age and language barriers which in turn affected the adoption of ICTs amongst the Alice farmers. Amongst the recommendations emanating from this study is the idea that the adoption of ICTs for agricultural information can be fast-tracked through the implementation of telecentres/kiosk and information centers for easy access to information and communication services in the rural community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of rural ICT projects in South Africa: a case study of Dwesa, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Shingai, Kavhai Mitchell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/317 , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This project aimed at assessing and evaluating the extent to which deployed ICTs in the rural area of Dwesa have impacted on the lives of the residents there. This occurred between February 2008 and December 2009. The ICTs are an initiative collaboration of University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University, sponsored by Telkom SA, the Government of Finland and other market players. This research started by reviewing the extent to which rural areas in general have lagged behind in terms of accessing ICTs, paying closer attention to governmental policies and initiatives towards rural development. The project then looked at the currently available ICTs in Dwesa and trying to measure the extent to which they have been useful or rather complicated the lives of the people there. Also important was a review of the efforts made by the technology innovators towards ensuring that relevant and appropriate technologies were made available to the rural people. The project also looked into issues of sustainability, maintenance and general running of the project to ensure its success. Important key findings on access, appropriateness of ICTs, use and knowledge about the ICTs, literacy levels, education standards and readiness of community to use ICTs were made during this research. Also included in the findings are issues on state of infrastructure, already present services, and current uses of ICTs as well as notable positive ICT impact in Dwesa. The most important findings of this research were to assist in providing a detailed prediction of future impact of various possible new technologies that can be introduced to Dwesa. This research also had to be able to bring out a monitoring and evaluation system that should measure the impact of the ICT interventions over the past 5 years. This project was initiated in 2005 and is identified by the name Siyakhula Living Lab. The concept of a living lab is a new term for providing ICTs in an area where their usefulness can be tested based on the natural environment in which they are being used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Shingai, Kavhai Mitchell
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/317 , Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet--South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This project aimed at assessing and evaluating the extent to which deployed ICTs in the rural area of Dwesa have impacted on the lives of the residents there. This occurred between February 2008 and December 2009. The ICTs are an initiative collaboration of University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University, sponsored by Telkom SA, the Government of Finland and other market players. This research started by reviewing the extent to which rural areas in general have lagged behind in terms of accessing ICTs, paying closer attention to governmental policies and initiatives towards rural development. The project then looked at the currently available ICTs in Dwesa and trying to measure the extent to which they have been useful or rather complicated the lives of the people there. Also important was a review of the efforts made by the technology innovators towards ensuring that relevant and appropriate technologies were made available to the rural people. The project also looked into issues of sustainability, maintenance and general running of the project to ensure its success. Important key findings on access, appropriateness of ICTs, use and knowledge about the ICTs, literacy levels, education standards and readiness of community to use ICTs were made during this research. Also included in the findings are issues on state of infrastructure, already present services, and current uses of ICTs as well as notable positive ICT impact in Dwesa. The most important findings of this research were to assist in providing a detailed prediction of future impact of various possible new technologies that can be introduced to Dwesa. This research also had to be able to bring out a monitoring and evaluation system that should measure the impact of the ICT interventions over the past 5 years. This project was initiated in 2005 and is identified by the name Siyakhula Living Lab. The concept of a living lab is a new term for providing ICTs in an area where their usefulness can be tested based on the natural environment in which they are being used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Women, land rights and HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe: the case of Zvimba communal area in Mashonaland West Province
- Authors: Arisunta, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Widowhood -- Zimbabwe , Inheritance and succession -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive persons -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/233 , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Widowhood -- Zimbabwe , Inheritance and succession -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive persons -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study explores women’s access to land under the customary tenure system. It examines how the changes in land tenure, access and rights to land as a consequence of HIV/AIDS are affecting agricultural productivity, food security and poverty, with a specific focus on women who have lost their husbands to HIV/AIDS in Zvimba. Zvimba is a village community located in Zvimba District in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The study also discusses policy responses designed to cushion the impact of HIV/AIDS on local communities especially women living with HIV/AIDS. The study highlights the vulnerability of widows to land rights violations, mainly inflicted by relatives but sometimes by the wider community. The main form of abuse encountered included the use of abusive language, threats of evictions and at times, beatings. The legal route for seeking redress was rarely used. Fear of witchcraft, low educational levels and fear of causing conflict between children and their paternal relatives also led widows to abandon the fight for their rights. The study further reveals that widows are heavily exposed to dispossession of their land rights. HIV/AIDS has increased the vulnerability of widows and other women to threats and dispossession of their land and other property rights. Dispossession of arable fields was observed in the four wards. The dispossessions and threats to livelihoods were directly related to the HIV positive status of the widows. The findings from this study illustrate the predominant role that male members of the household or family have over land. Thus, culture and traditional practices still affect women in other cases, disadvantaging them in favour of men, as in inheritance of land and property in the household.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Arisunta, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Widowhood -- Zimbabwe , Inheritance and succession -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive persons -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/233 , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural productivity -- Zimbabwe , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Widowhood -- Zimbabwe , Inheritance and succession -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive persons -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study explores women’s access to land under the customary tenure system. It examines how the changes in land tenure, access and rights to land as a consequence of HIV/AIDS are affecting agricultural productivity, food security and poverty, with a specific focus on women who have lost their husbands to HIV/AIDS in Zvimba. Zvimba is a village community located in Zvimba District in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The study also discusses policy responses designed to cushion the impact of HIV/AIDS on local communities especially women living with HIV/AIDS. The study highlights the vulnerability of widows to land rights violations, mainly inflicted by relatives but sometimes by the wider community. The main form of abuse encountered included the use of abusive language, threats of evictions and at times, beatings. The legal route for seeking redress was rarely used. Fear of witchcraft, low educational levels and fear of causing conflict between children and their paternal relatives also led widows to abandon the fight for their rights. The study further reveals that widows are heavily exposed to dispossession of their land rights. HIV/AIDS has increased the vulnerability of widows and other women to threats and dispossession of their land and other property rights. Dispossession of arable fields was observed in the four wards. The dispossessions and threats to livelihoods were directly related to the HIV positive status of the widows. The findings from this study illustrate the predominant role that male members of the household or family have over land. Thus, culture and traditional practices still affect women in other cases, disadvantaging them in favour of men, as in inheritance of land and property in the household.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of family group conferencing as part of the diversion experience of young male offenders
- Authors: Tshem, Tembakazi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/210 , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and evaluations of young male offenders who were diverted to family group conferencing in order to improve current services. An exploratory research design was chosen to obtain an understanding of what these young male offenders experienced during their conferencing and also to seek out their recommendations for future improvement of the family group conferencing diversion programme. This study comprised two samples which were purposively selected. The first sample was made up of ten young male offenders and the second sample comprised of the parents and /or guardians of the young male offenders. The data was collected using structured interview schedules. The data was collected on separate occasions for the two samples. Each interview lasted about 30- 40 minutes each. The findings of this study showed that there is still a need to train probation officers on appropriate implementation of family group conferencing and that families also have a role to play towards succefull implementation of diversion programmes. It is evident from the findings that young offenders need their families to support and care for them during difficult situations, as purported by the systems theory whereby society is regarded as a system with different parts and families are an important part of this system. Young offenders belong to families and families are part of communities and society. It is also important to note that victims are part of families, thus also part of society and the system. Family group conferencing provide an opportunity for all these parts to meet in a mediated environment to address the harm caused and make amends. The findings of this study also showed that there is a need to educate the general public about child justice legislation and the emerging trends in the field of child justice including diversion programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tshem, Tembakazi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/210 , Juvenile delinquents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social group work , Social work with criminals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Probation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Family social work
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and evaluations of young male offenders who were diverted to family group conferencing in order to improve current services. An exploratory research design was chosen to obtain an understanding of what these young male offenders experienced during their conferencing and also to seek out their recommendations for future improvement of the family group conferencing diversion programme. This study comprised two samples which were purposively selected. The first sample was made up of ten young male offenders and the second sample comprised of the parents and /or guardians of the young male offenders. The data was collected using structured interview schedules. The data was collected on separate occasions for the two samples. Each interview lasted about 30- 40 minutes each. The findings of this study showed that there is still a need to train probation officers on appropriate implementation of family group conferencing and that families also have a role to play towards succefull implementation of diversion programmes. It is evident from the findings that young offenders need their families to support and care for them during difficult situations, as purported by the systems theory whereby society is regarded as a system with different parts and families are an important part of this system. Young offenders belong to families and families are part of communities and society. It is also important to note that victims are part of families, thus also part of society and the system. Family group conferencing provide an opportunity for all these parts to meet in a mediated environment to address the harm caused and make amends. The findings of this study also showed that there is a need to educate the general public about child justice legislation and the emerging trends in the field of child justice including diversion programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Assessing the impact of loal content policy on youth culture in Mbare Harae: the case of Youth.com
- Authors: Mabika, Memory
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Television and youth -- Zimbabwe , Television programs -- Zimbabwe , Television -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001275 , Television and youth -- Zimbabwe , Television programs -- Zimbabwe , Television -- Psychological aspects
- Description: The study sought to establish the impact of using the local content policy in reducing television cultural influences on Mbare youth in Zimbabwe. It is assumed that television has ideological and hegemonic functions which have come to dominate the life styles of the youths on issues of dress styles, musical tastes and language, thus threatening and weakening the long established local cultures. Hence the Zimbabwean government’s local content policy was established to reduce influences of alien cultures. This study, therefore, sought to establish if Mbare youth cultures confirm or reject the imitation of television cultures with regard to dress styles, music tastes and language. In addition, the investigation aimed at establishing the feasibility of using the local content policy to reduce foreign cultural intrusions vis-à-vis globalisation challenges. The three theories utilised in the discussion of the influence of television on Mbare youth culture in this study include the cultivation theory, the theory of hegemony and the uses and gratification theory. A qualitative study was adopted to gather data using focus group discussions, questionnaires and semiotic analysis. The sample of the study consisted of 87 participants and 4 Youth.com programmes. The study revealed that television has ideological and hegemonic functions. As such, it tends to be a dominant influence on the life styles and culture of Mbare youths. The study also established that Youth.com influences youth culture through music. In Zimbabwe music has become the most influential aspect of Youth.com despite not being specified in the local content policy on television broadcasting. Furthermore, the study shows that the implications of globalisation on local television content are undermining government efforts to preserve local cultures through the local content policy. The primary reason for this has to do with the fact that Youth.com programme does not contain a higher quota of local content as stipulated in the policy. However, although the local content policy was viewed as a political gimmick, the the study revealed that it was necessary in view of youths’ vulnerability to television’s ideological and hegemonic influences. Nevertheless, in view of the loopholes revealed by this study, the policy requires to be revised to cater for all the essential cultural elements, such as, music, which are allowing alien cultures to penetrate local ways of life. For instance, the urban groove music has major impacts on the culture of Mbare youths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mabika, Memory
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Television and youth -- Zimbabwe , Television programs -- Zimbabwe , Television -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001275 , Television and youth -- Zimbabwe , Television programs -- Zimbabwe , Television -- Psychological aspects
- Description: The study sought to establish the impact of using the local content policy in reducing television cultural influences on Mbare youth in Zimbabwe. It is assumed that television has ideological and hegemonic functions which have come to dominate the life styles of the youths on issues of dress styles, musical tastes and language, thus threatening and weakening the long established local cultures. Hence the Zimbabwean government’s local content policy was established to reduce influences of alien cultures. This study, therefore, sought to establish if Mbare youth cultures confirm or reject the imitation of television cultures with regard to dress styles, music tastes and language. In addition, the investigation aimed at establishing the feasibility of using the local content policy to reduce foreign cultural intrusions vis-à-vis globalisation challenges. The three theories utilised in the discussion of the influence of television on Mbare youth culture in this study include the cultivation theory, the theory of hegemony and the uses and gratification theory. A qualitative study was adopted to gather data using focus group discussions, questionnaires and semiotic analysis. The sample of the study consisted of 87 participants and 4 Youth.com programmes. The study revealed that television has ideological and hegemonic functions. As such, it tends to be a dominant influence on the life styles and culture of Mbare youths. The study also established that Youth.com influences youth culture through music. In Zimbabwe music has become the most influential aspect of Youth.com despite not being specified in the local content policy on television broadcasting. Furthermore, the study shows that the implications of globalisation on local television content are undermining government efforts to preserve local cultures through the local content policy. The primary reason for this has to do with the fact that Youth.com programme does not contain a higher quota of local content as stipulated in the policy. However, although the local content policy was viewed as a political gimmick, the the study revealed that it was necessary in view of youths’ vulnerability to television’s ideological and hegemonic influences. Nevertheless, in view of the loopholes revealed by this study, the policy requires to be revised to cater for all the essential cultural elements, such as, music, which are allowing alien cultures to penetrate local ways of life. For instance, the urban groove music has major impacts on the culture of Mbare youths.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Condom influence strategies among university students
- Authors: Majara, Tsepang David
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Condom use -- South Africa , Seduction -- South Africa , Birth control -- South Africa , Risk communication -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior , Sexually transmitted diseases , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/235 , Condom use -- South Africa , Seduction -- South Africa , Birth control -- South Africa , Risk communication -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior , Sexually transmitted diseases , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigated influence strategies used by university students to negotiate condom use. The study examined the seven condom influence strategies (CISs) -withholding sex, direct request, seduction, relationship conceptualizing, risk information, deception, and pregnancy prevention- used by heterosexually active male and female students. The sample comprised of 156 first year students (male=44 and female=112). Statistically significant correlations were found among all the condom influence strategies subscales. Results suggest that the university students influence their partners in all identified condom influence strategies and the risk information strategy holds the most promise of all the strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Majara, Tsepang David
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Condom use -- South Africa , Seduction -- South Africa , Birth control -- South Africa , Risk communication -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior , Sexually transmitted diseases , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/235 , Condom use -- South Africa , Seduction -- South Africa , Birth control -- South Africa , Risk communication -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior , Sexually transmitted diseases , HIV-positive persons -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigated influence strategies used by university students to negotiate condom use. The study examined the seven condom influence strategies (CISs) -withholding sex, direct request, seduction, relationship conceptualizing, risk information, deception, and pregnancy prevention- used by heterosexually active male and female students. The sample comprised of 156 first year students (male=44 and female=112). Statistically significant correlations were found among all the condom influence strategies subscales. Results suggest that the university students influence their partners in all identified condom influence strategies and the risk information strategy holds the most promise of all the strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Constructions of masculinity in young men's talk on domesticity
- Authors: Winnaar, Lucille
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Home , Home economics , Sex role , Identity (Psychology) , Masculinity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001261 , Home , Home economics , Sex role , Identity (Psychology) , Masculinity
- Description: The purpose of this study was to elucidate participant’s understandings of the notion of masculinity and the implications thereof for their gendered identities. The study was approached from a, broadly speaking, social constructionsist paradigm following an inductive theme of nquiry. This study looked at masculinities (plural) rather than masculinity (singular) and the way in which these masculinities are constructed in participants talk about chores within the homespace. Consistent with this approach, data was collected by means of personal semi-structured, face-toface interviews with nine young adult male participants. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and data was therefore in the form of text. The interview texts were analyzed using Parker's criteria for a discourse analysis. Discourse analysis was the chosen method of analysis as it is an appropriate method for identifying and analysing constructs of masculinity in young men's talk on domesticity. There were three main themes identified in this study namely that of the traditional notions of masculinity, new age constructions and the gendered constructions of chores. This study implicitly shows that though masculinity was overwhelmingly constructed within the traditional notions of masculinity, with respect to the performance of chores within the home-space however, the men in this study report negotiations of their gendered identities within their heterosexual relationships. Furthermore, these negotiations do not seem to trouble the notion of masculinity as it is normalised by the participants in recognition of their performances of traditional female chores within the home-space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Winnaar, Lucille
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Home , Home economics , Sex role , Identity (Psychology) , Masculinity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11848 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001261 , Home , Home economics , Sex role , Identity (Psychology) , Masculinity
- Description: The purpose of this study was to elucidate participant’s understandings of the notion of masculinity and the implications thereof for their gendered identities. The study was approached from a, broadly speaking, social constructionsist paradigm following an inductive theme of nquiry. This study looked at masculinities (plural) rather than masculinity (singular) and the way in which these masculinities are constructed in participants talk about chores within the homespace. Consistent with this approach, data was collected by means of personal semi-structured, face-toface interviews with nine young adult male participants. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and data was therefore in the form of text. The interview texts were analyzed using Parker's criteria for a discourse analysis. Discourse analysis was the chosen method of analysis as it is an appropriate method for identifying and analysing constructs of masculinity in young men's talk on domesticity. There were three main themes identified in this study namely that of the traditional notions of masculinity, new age constructions and the gendered constructions of chores. This study implicitly shows that though masculinity was overwhelmingly constructed within the traditional notions of masculinity, with respect to the performance of chores within the home-space however, the men in this study report negotiations of their gendered identities within their heterosexual relationships. Furthermore, these negotiations do not seem to trouble the notion of masculinity as it is normalised by the participants in recognition of their performances of traditional female chores within the home-space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Dynamics of development intervention, the case of Peddie, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nondumiso, Fukweni
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Peddie (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Peddie (Soutb Africa) -- Social conditions , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/183 , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Peddie (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Peddie (Soutb Africa) -- Social conditions , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District
- Description: A large number of development initiatives, aimed at improving the overall quality of life of communities, have had a limited success rate in addressing poverty levels. Poverty has increased drastically and more and more people are among the poorest of the poor in spite of all the development actions and programmes that are aimed at improving the quality of life (Chambers, 1997;1) The study explores the dynamics of commercialization of agriculture at Prudo and Benton villages in Peddie, Eastern Cape. These dynamics include labour issues, lack of people involvement in decision making processes and the sharing of benefits within the pineapple project at Benton. It also explores the challenges of cash cropping at Prudo. Additionally, the study looks at the challenges faced by the poor within small projects administered by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Development. Finally, the study explores the role that natural resources play in livelihoods in Peddie. To achieve these objectives, a review of literature and empirical research presented in the form of case studies will be used. The central argument of this thesis is that development has failed the majority of the poor in Peddie. Despite that, rural people continue to survive. Development projects did not generally bring about any significant reduction in poverty; neither did they bring about any significant economic transformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Nondumiso, Fukweni
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Peddie (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Peddie (Soutb Africa) -- Social conditions , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/183 , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Peddie District , Peddie (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Peddie (Soutb Africa) -- Social conditions , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Peddie District
- Description: A large number of development initiatives, aimed at improving the overall quality of life of communities, have had a limited success rate in addressing poverty levels. Poverty has increased drastically and more and more people are among the poorest of the poor in spite of all the development actions and programmes that are aimed at improving the quality of life (Chambers, 1997;1) The study explores the dynamics of commercialization of agriculture at Prudo and Benton villages in Peddie, Eastern Cape. These dynamics include labour issues, lack of people involvement in decision making processes and the sharing of benefits within the pineapple project at Benton. It also explores the challenges of cash cropping at Prudo. Additionally, the study looks at the challenges faced by the poor within small projects administered by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Development. Finally, the study explores the role that natural resources play in livelihoods in Peddie. To achieve these objectives, a review of literature and empirical research presented in the form of case studies will be used. The central argument of this thesis is that development has failed the majority of the poor in Peddie. Despite that, rural people continue to survive. Development projects did not generally bring about any significant reduction in poverty; neither did they bring about any significant economic transformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Guilt and shame as intergroup emotions applied within the South African context
- Authors: Byrnes, Janet
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Intergroup relations , Shame , Guilt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/154 , Intergroup relations , Shame , Guilt
- Description: The present paper will inform about three studies that seek to make a contribution to the area of self-conscious emotions, namely guilt and shame, and their consequences for intergroup relations in a South African context. As with previous research, this research investigated whether belonging to a particular group (i.e. being a white South African) is likely to evoke feelings of collective guilt and collective shame when reminded of the atrocities of Apartheid, even though the individual members did not personally contribute to their group’s negative history. The first study aimed to investigate experimentally the effects of experienced collective ingroup guilt and shame on the desire to make reparation. The second study aimed to test the relationship between guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans in the field. Furthermore, the second study aimed to account for the dialectical aspects of the intergroup situation by exploring guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans as expected by young black South Africans (as members of the previously oppressed group). The third study aimed to replicate the differences between experienced guilt/shame/reparation and reported ingroup identification by white South Africans and the expected guilt/shame/reparation from white South Africans and reported ingroup identification by black South Africans as found in the study 2. In addition, the third study aimed to control the antecedents for collective guilt and for collective shame. It also explored the impact knowledge about atrocities of the ingroup (white participants) has on emotions and reparation attitudes and whether perceived status relations at present and in the future impacts the emotions as well general reparation attitudes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Byrnes, Janet
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Intergroup relations , Shame , Guilt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/154 , Intergroup relations , Shame , Guilt
- Description: The present paper will inform about three studies that seek to make a contribution to the area of self-conscious emotions, namely guilt and shame, and their consequences for intergroup relations in a South African context. As with previous research, this research investigated whether belonging to a particular group (i.e. being a white South African) is likely to evoke feelings of collective guilt and collective shame when reminded of the atrocities of Apartheid, even though the individual members did not personally contribute to their group’s negative history. The first study aimed to investigate experimentally the effects of experienced collective ingroup guilt and shame on the desire to make reparation. The second study aimed to test the relationship between guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans in the field. Furthermore, the second study aimed to account for the dialectical aspects of the intergroup situation by exploring guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans as expected by young black South Africans (as members of the previously oppressed group). The third study aimed to replicate the differences between experienced guilt/shame/reparation and reported ingroup identification by white South Africans and the expected guilt/shame/reparation from white South Africans and reported ingroup identification by black South Africans as found in the study 2. In addition, the third study aimed to control the antecedents for collective guilt and for collective shame. It also explored the impact knowledge about atrocities of the ingroup (white participants) has on emotions and reparation attitudes and whether perceived status relations at present and in the future impacts the emotions as well general reparation attitudes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Intergroup conflict in soccer stadiums
- Authors: Mazibuko, Vela Onke
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Soccer fans , Soccer hooliganism , Police -- Violence against , Football stadiums , Group identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11858 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/234 , Collective behavior , Soccer fans , Soccer hooliganism , Police -- Violence against , Football stadiums , Group identity
- Description: The aim of the present research is to investigate three factors, namely perceptions of fairness in intergroup situations, ingroup identification and spatial dimensions that are assumed to contribute to why individuals participate in violence against the police in soccer stadiums. In Study 1 perceptions of fairness, identification and spatial perspective were manipulated and the results indicated a significant interaction effect between identification and spatial perspective. This interaction effect had a significant influence on negative behavioural tendencies towards police. In Study 2, identification and spatial perspective were manipulated and once again the interaction effect between identification and spatial perspective was found. A main effect of identification was found in that participants who identified lower with fans showed significantly more positive attitudes towards police. The results of the two studies highlight the importance of looking beyond the inherent nature of the crowd itself when analysing situations of police/fan conflict, and also the need to further investigate the spatial dimension and how it influences social judgment and decision making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mazibuko, Vela Onke
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Soccer fans , Soccer hooliganism , Police -- Violence against , Football stadiums , Group identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11858 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/234 , Collective behavior , Soccer fans , Soccer hooliganism , Police -- Violence against , Football stadiums , Group identity
- Description: The aim of the present research is to investigate three factors, namely perceptions of fairness in intergroup situations, ingroup identification and spatial dimensions that are assumed to contribute to why individuals participate in violence against the police in soccer stadiums. In Study 1 perceptions of fairness, identification and spatial perspective were manipulated and the results indicated a significant interaction effect between identification and spatial perspective. This interaction effect had a significant influence on negative behavioural tendencies towards police. In Study 2, identification and spatial perspective were manipulated and once again the interaction effect between identification and spatial perspective was found. A main effect of identification was found in that participants who identified lower with fans showed significantly more positive attitudes towards police. The results of the two studies highlight the importance of looking beyond the inherent nature of the crowd itself when analysing situations of police/fan conflict, and also the need to further investigate the spatial dimension and how it influences social judgment and decision making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Knowledge production in a think tank: a case study of the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)
- Authors: Muzondo, Shingirirai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Knowledge management -- South Africa , Knowledge representation (Information theory) , Knowledge, Sociology of , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11569 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/252 , Knowledge management -- South Africa , Knowledge representation (Information theory) , Knowledge, Sociology of , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Description: The study sought to investigate the system of knowledge production at AISA and assess the challenges of producing knowledge at the institution. The objectives of the study were to: identify AISA‟s main achievements in knowledge production; determine AISA‟s challenges in producing knowledge; find out how AISA‟s organizational culture impacts on internal knowledge production; and suggest ways of improving knowledge production at AISA. A case study was used as a research method and purposive sampling used to select 50 cases out of a study population of 70. Questionnaires were prepared and distributed to AISA employees and where possible face-to-face interviews were conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data which were collected. Findings of the study may be used by governments across sub-Saharan Africa to produce relevant knowledge for formulating and implementing economic, social and technological policies. It is also important in identifying challenges that may hinder the successful production of knowledge. The study revealed that AISA has a well defined system of knowledge production and has had many achievements that have contributed to its relevance as a think tank today. The study found out that AISA has faced different challenges with the main one being organizational culture. From the findings, the researcher recommended that AISA should establish itself as a knowledge-based organization. It should also create a knowledge friendly culture as a framework for addressing the issue of organizational culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Muzondo, Shingirirai
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Knowledge management -- South Africa , Knowledge representation (Information theory) , Knowledge, Sociology of , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11569 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/252 , Knowledge management -- South Africa , Knowledge representation (Information theory) , Knowledge, Sociology of , Corporate culture -- South Africa
- Description: The study sought to investigate the system of knowledge production at AISA and assess the challenges of producing knowledge at the institution. The objectives of the study were to: identify AISA‟s main achievements in knowledge production; determine AISA‟s challenges in producing knowledge; find out how AISA‟s organizational culture impacts on internal knowledge production; and suggest ways of improving knowledge production at AISA. A case study was used as a research method and purposive sampling used to select 50 cases out of a study population of 70. Questionnaires were prepared and distributed to AISA employees and where possible face-to-face interviews were conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data which were collected. Findings of the study may be used by governments across sub-Saharan Africa to produce relevant knowledge for formulating and implementing economic, social and technological policies. It is also important in identifying challenges that may hinder the successful production of knowledge. The study revealed that AISA has a well defined system of knowledge production and has had many achievements that have contributed to its relevance as a think tank today. The study found out that AISA has faced different challenges with the main one being organizational culture. From the findings, the researcher recommended that AISA should establish itself as a knowledge-based organization. It should also create a knowledge friendly culture as a framework for addressing the issue of organizational culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Relative deprivation and relative gratification as predictors of intergroup discrimination: can prejudice be reduced by equality?
- Authors: Neuwenhuis, Bridgitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/147 , Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Description: It has long been identified that relative deprivation increases prejudice. Guimond and Dambrun (2002) demonstrated that relative gratification, as the opposite of relative deprivation, is also an important variable in predicting intergroup discrimination. Guimond and Dambrun (2002), further suggest that in order to prevent destructive conflicts between groups, such as intergroup discrimination, the goal of equality rather than economic improvements has to be kept in mind. The present paper will report three experiments which aimed to replicate Guimond and Dambrun’s (2002) findings on relative deprivation and relative gratification and which further aimed to test their proposal that equality would reduce prejudice. The results of the three experiments confirmed the predicted effects of relative deprivation and relative gratification on intergroup discrimination. However, the results did not confirm that equality reduces prejudice. Methodological and theoretical reasons for these results are provided and discussed in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Neuwenhuis, Bridgitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/147 , Collective behavior , Social perception , Intergroup relations , Deprivation (Psychology)
- Description: It has long been identified that relative deprivation increases prejudice. Guimond and Dambrun (2002) demonstrated that relative gratification, as the opposite of relative deprivation, is also an important variable in predicting intergroup discrimination. Guimond and Dambrun (2002), further suggest that in order to prevent destructive conflicts between groups, such as intergroup discrimination, the goal of equality rather than economic improvements has to be kept in mind. The present paper will report three experiments which aimed to replicate Guimond and Dambrun’s (2002) findings on relative deprivation and relative gratification and which further aimed to test their proposal that equality would reduce prejudice. The results of the three experiments confirmed the predicted effects of relative deprivation and relative gratification on intergroup discrimination. However, the results did not confirm that equality reduces prejudice. Methodological and theoretical reasons for these results are provided and discussed in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The choice of idols from a social psychological perspective
- Authors: Lupke, Lynette M
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/132 , Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Description: The study of adolescents’ idols has an over 100-year tradition. The meta-analysis of Teigen, Normann, Bjorkheim and Helland (2000) showed that idols, which are commonly understood as role models, changed over the last century which is attributed to changes in the social context. The present paper argues that Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) offers an appropriate theoretical framework to conceptualize social context by hypothesising a functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies moderated by the status position of the adolescent’s group s/he belongs to. The hypothesised functional relationship was tested in two studies with white and black adolescent South Africans. The results of the two studies supported our assumptions that the functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies is indeed moderated by status position. The results also indicate that Social Identity Theory seems to be an appropriate theoretical framework when social context is particularly conceptualised as social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Lupke, Lynette M
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11606 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/132 , Identity (Psychology) , Idols and images , Social interaction
- Description: The study of adolescents’ idols has an over 100-year tradition. The meta-analysis of Teigen, Normann, Bjorkheim and Helland (2000) showed that idols, which are commonly understood as role models, changed over the last century which is attributed to changes in the social context. The present paper argues that Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) offers an appropriate theoretical framework to conceptualize social context by hypothesising a functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies moderated by the status position of the adolescent’s group s/he belongs to. The hypothesised functional relationship was tested in two studies with white and black adolescent South Africans. The results of the two studies supported our assumptions that the functional relationship between idols and identity management strategies is indeed moderated by status position. The results also indicate that Social Identity Theory seems to be an appropriate theoretical framework when social context is particularly conceptualised as social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The effect of literacy on access to and utilization of agricultural information for household food security at Chirau communal lands in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gundu, Moira
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Community information services -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Information services , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Literacy -- Zimbabwe , Commons -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe , Communication in agriculture -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/251 , Community information services -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Information services , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Literacy -- Zimbabwe , Commons -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe , Communication in agriculture -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research sought to examine the effect of literacy on access to, and utilization of agricultural information for household food security at Chirau Communal lands in Zimbabwe. The study was influenced by the diffusion of innovations approach based on interviews, observation and document study. Selected female farmers from Chirau communal lands were respondents to the self administered interviews and focus group discussions. Representatives from, Agriculture Extension and the Ministry of Agriculture were key informants. Systematic Random sampling was used to select 100 female respondents from the age of 18 to above 80 from wards 1 to 10 of Chirau Rural District in Zimbabwe. Data was analyzed into themes and coded for statistical analysis using the SPSS. The country is faced with food insecurity and the main findings of this study support the view that women play an active role in food production but their potential is limited by inadequate levels of literacy that affect the way they access and utilize resources for sustainable agriculture and household food security among other factors. This may be generalized to the situation of female farmers in Zimbabwe. Improved literacy competencies among the female farmers in Zimbabwe lends itself as one of the interventions that may assist in improving access to information and its effective utilization.. This calls decision-makers to boost literacy for women, develop available agricultural information resources and harness effort towards making them accessible. While interventions may be multi-sectored, the role of government is stressed in this report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gundu, Moira
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Community information services -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Information services , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Literacy -- Zimbabwe , Commons -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe , Communication in agriculture -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/251 , Community information services -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Information services , Women farmers -- Zimbabwe , Literacy -- Zimbabwe , Commons -- Zimbabwe , Food supply -- Zimbabwe , Communication in agriculture -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research sought to examine the effect of literacy on access to, and utilization of agricultural information for household food security at Chirau Communal lands in Zimbabwe. The study was influenced by the diffusion of innovations approach based on interviews, observation and document study. Selected female farmers from Chirau communal lands were respondents to the self administered interviews and focus group discussions. Representatives from, Agriculture Extension and the Ministry of Agriculture were key informants. Systematic Random sampling was used to select 100 female respondents from the age of 18 to above 80 from wards 1 to 10 of Chirau Rural District in Zimbabwe. Data was analyzed into themes and coded for statistical analysis using the SPSS. The country is faced with food insecurity and the main findings of this study support the view that women play an active role in food production but their potential is limited by inadequate levels of literacy that affect the way they access and utilize resources for sustainable agriculture and household food security among other factors. This may be generalized to the situation of female farmers in Zimbabwe. Improved literacy competencies among the female farmers in Zimbabwe lends itself as one of the interventions that may assist in improving access to information and its effective utilization.. This calls decision-makers to boost literacy for women, develop available agricultural information resources and harness effort towards making them accessible. While interventions may be multi-sectored, the role of government is stressed in this report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The experiences of women of their HIV/AIDS status disclosure to sexual partners: an exploratory study of Magunje township, Zimbabwe
- Kambarami, Maureen Cresencia
- Authors: Kambarami, Maureen Cresencia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Rural women -- Zimbabwe , Promiscuity -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive women -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/231 , Rural women -- Zimbabwe , Promiscuity -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive women -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The African continent has been hit the hardest by the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has seen more women becoming infected than men (Hunter, 2003; UNAIDS, 2004). This has been attributed to the permissible nature of the African culture which is lenient on male promiscuity (Foreman, 1999; Colvin 2000; Leclerc-Madlala 2001; Dube 2003). African women are not only vulnerable to infection but are also vulnerable to negative disclosure experiences when they disclose their status to sexual partners. This double impact of culture has not been addressed by past researches (UNAIDS 2004). The present research thus attempts to fill that gap. It explores the interplay between culture and HIV transmission as well as the interplay between culture and disclosure experiences. The study’s setting is Magunje Township, a rural village in Mashonaland Central province in Zimbabwe. Taking into consideration the limitations of the present analysis, data gathered indicates that African women are vulnerable to both HIV infection and negative disclosure experiences. Their vulnerability also hampers prevention and treatment efforts as it makes them decide to keep their status a secret from sexual partners for fear of losing the financial income tied to sexual partners. The present researcher concludes with some suggestions for policy makers and programme implementers, highlighting the importance of focusing on HIV/AIDS status disclosure as a prevention and treatment method in the absence of a cure for HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kambarami, Maureen Cresencia
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Rural women -- Zimbabwe , Promiscuity -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive women -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/231 , Rural women -- Zimbabwe , Promiscuity -- Zimbabwe , HIV-positive women -- Zimbabwe , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The African continent has been hit the hardest by the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has seen more women becoming infected than men (Hunter, 2003; UNAIDS, 2004). This has been attributed to the permissible nature of the African culture which is lenient on male promiscuity (Foreman, 1999; Colvin 2000; Leclerc-Madlala 2001; Dube 2003). African women are not only vulnerable to infection but are also vulnerable to negative disclosure experiences when they disclose their status to sexual partners. This double impact of culture has not been addressed by past researches (UNAIDS 2004). The present research thus attempts to fill that gap. It explores the interplay between culture and HIV transmission as well as the interplay between culture and disclosure experiences. The study’s setting is Magunje Township, a rural village in Mashonaland Central province in Zimbabwe. Taking into consideration the limitations of the present analysis, data gathered indicates that African women are vulnerable to both HIV infection and negative disclosure experiences. Their vulnerability also hampers prevention and treatment efforts as it makes them decide to keep their status a secret from sexual partners for fear of losing the financial income tied to sexual partners. The present researcher concludes with some suggestions for policy makers and programme implementers, highlighting the importance of focusing on HIV/AIDS status disclosure as a prevention and treatment method in the absence of a cure for HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The green revolution and poverty alleviation challenges faced by women in small-scale agriculture: an investigation into the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme, Mbhashe local municipality Eastern Cape
- Authors: Blaai-Mdolo, Bulelwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/133 , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The researcher is perturbed by the escalating levels of poverty and unemployment in Mbhashe Local Municipality (Integrated Development Plan, 2008/9) despite the poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since 1994. The main objective of this study is to identify the underlying factors and challenges faced by women of the Impumelelo Isezandleni Community Garden and Poultry Project in meeting the set objectives of the programme such as improving food security and job creation through sustainable agricultural development. This project falls under the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme (SHFPP), which is one of the programmes developed under the Green Revolution strategy of the Department of Agriculture. SHFPP is proclaimed to be running successfully in improving food security in the Mbhashe Local Municipality (MECDoA: 2008/9). 7 ABSTRACT The researcher is perturbed by the escalating levels of poverty and unemployment in Mbhashe Local Municipality (Integrated Development Plan, 2008/9) despite the poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since 1994. The main objective of this study is to identify the underlying factors and challenges faced by women of the Impumelelo Isezandleni Community Garden and Poultry Project in meeting the set objectives of the programme such as improving food security and job creation through sustainable agricultural development. This project falls under the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme (SHFPP), which is one of the programmes developed under the Green Revolution strategy of the Department of Agriculture. SHFPP is proclaimed to be running successfully in improving food security in the Mbhashe Local Municipality (MECDoA: 2008/9). The dissertation argues that women, the beneficiaries of the project, are faced with a variety of challenges which make it impossible to meet the set objectives. Using a qualitative research methodology where semi-structured interviews gather data from 15 respondents who are beneficiaries in the project, findings indicate that there are a number of challenges and constraints that are experienced by women in the project. These challenges amongst others range from gender equity, culture and tradition; lack of provisions for diverse women population in the project; violation of the people-centered approach; limited women empowerment; insufficient support and lack of capacity from the Department of Agriculture (DoA) officials, the non-existent Land Reform Programme etc. While women seem committed and want the project to grow to sustain them, this is not complemented with enough support by the DoA. The study anticipates that should these women find viable alternatives, they will soon abandon the project. To avoid a total anticipated collapse of the project in future, the study recommends that a serious intervention by the state should occur coupled with the revitalization of the programme and a paradigm shift towards an effective food security programme which emphasizes women and their important role in agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Blaai-Mdolo, Bulelwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/133 , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The researcher is perturbed by the escalating levels of poverty and unemployment in Mbhashe Local Municipality (Integrated Development Plan, 2008/9) despite the poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since 1994. The main objective of this study is to identify the underlying factors and challenges faced by women of the Impumelelo Isezandleni Community Garden and Poultry Project in meeting the set objectives of the programme such as improving food security and job creation through sustainable agricultural development. This project falls under the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme (SHFPP), which is one of the programmes developed under the Green Revolution strategy of the Department of Agriculture. SHFPP is proclaimed to be running successfully in improving food security in the Mbhashe Local Municipality (MECDoA: 2008/9). 7 ABSTRACT The researcher is perturbed by the escalating levels of poverty and unemployment in Mbhashe Local Municipality (Integrated Development Plan, 2008/9) despite the poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since 1994. The main objective of this study is to identify the underlying factors and challenges faced by women of the Impumelelo Isezandleni Community Garden and Poultry Project in meeting the set objectives of the programme such as improving food security and job creation through sustainable agricultural development. This project falls under the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme (SHFPP), which is one of the programmes developed under the Green Revolution strategy of the Department of Agriculture. SHFPP is proclaimed to be running successfully in improving food security in the Mbhashe Local Municipality (MECDoA: 2008/9). The dissertation argues that women, the beneficiaries of the project, are faced with a variety of challenges which make it impossible to meet the set objectives. Using a qualitative research methodology where semi-structured interviews gather data from 15 respondents who are beneficiaries in the project, findings indicate that there are a number of challenges and constraints that are experienced by women in the project. These challenges amongst others range from gender equity, culture and tradition; lack of provisions for diverse women population in the project; violation of the people-centered approach; limited women empowerment; insufficient support and lack of capacity from the Department of Agriculture (DoA) officials, the non-existent Land Reform Programme etc. While women seem committed and want the project to grow to sustain them, this is not complemented with enough support by the DoA. The study anticipates that should these women find viable alternatives, they will soon abandon the project. To avoid a total anticipated collapse of the project in future, the study recommends that a serious intervention by the state should occur coupled with the revitalization of the programme and a paradigm shift towards an effective food security programme which emphasizes women and their important role in agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Traditional leadership and the use of cultural laws in land administration: implications for rural women's land rights in a transforming South Africa
- Authors: Ntwasa, Bayanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/134 , Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation critically examines how traditional leaders use cultural laws to allocate land to women and to allow women to participate in land administration in communal areas. Given the government's commitment to gender equity in all spheres of life as stipulated in Section 9 (3) of the South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), the dissertation examines whether related legislation and policy (such as CLARA and TLGFA) alone can guarantee equitable access to land for women and their participation in land administration structures in communal areas where patriarchy dominates. In essence, the study interrogates whether state intervention through formalizing laws that govern land matters do achieve gender equity while cultural laws still exist in communal areas. Based on the view that land in communal areas is held by the state and administered by traditional leaders who have historically discriminated against women, the dissertation employs a case study method to examine whether cultural laws are exercised when women apply for a piece of land at the three levels of traditional authority viz: village, sub-village and traditional council levels in the Matolweni village of the Nqadu Tribal Authority. Although women are often the de facto rights holders in rural areas as a result of male migration to urban areas, findings seem to indicate that it is difficult and/or sometimes impossible to translate paper laws into practice while cultural laws are still operating. For effective transformation to occur, the study recommends that unless a strong women's rural movement emerges, coupled with a socialist feminist position that advocates for a radical transformation of rural society to defeat the patriarchal norms and standards, traditional leaders will continue to discriminate against women in land issues.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ntwasa, Bayanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/134 , Land tenure -- South Africa , Rural women -- South Africa , Tribal government -- South Africa , Land use, Rural -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Women's rights -- South Africa , Chiefdoms -- South Africa , Political leadership -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation critically examines how traditional leaders use cultural laws to allocate land to women and to allow women to participate in land administration in communal areas. Given the government's commitment to gender equity in all spheres of life as stipulated in Section 9 (3) of the South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), the dissertation examines whether related legislation and policy (such as CLARA and TLGFA) alone can guarantee equitable access to land for women and their participation in land administration structures in communal areas where patriarchy dominates. In essence, the study interrogates whether state intervention through formalizing laws that govern land matters do achieve gender equity while cultural laws still exist in communal areas. Based on the view that land in communal areas is held by the state and administered by traditional leaders who have historically discriminated against women, the dissertation employs a case study method to examine whether cultural laws are exercised when women apply for a piece of land at the three levels of traditional authority viz: village, sub-village and traditional council levels in the Matolweni village of the Nqadu Tribal Authority. Although women are often the de facto rights holders in rural areas as a result of male migration to urban areas, findings seem to indicate that it is difficult and/or sometimes impossible to translate paper laws into practice while cultural laws are still operating. For effective transformation to occur, the study recommends that unless a strong women's rural movement emerges, coupled with a socialist feminist position that advocates for a radical transformation of rural society to defeat the patriarchal norms and standards, traditional leaders will continue to discriminate against women in land issues.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Urban community development: an understanding of social change and identity in a social housing estate in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Packery, Rajendra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Communities , Social change , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc
- Identifier: vital:11967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001312 , Communities , Social change , Community development -- South Africa
- Description: This study focuses on the lives of people living in a social housing estate which was a joint venture between the Housing Association of South Africa (HASA), a Netherlands based foundation and the Buffalo City Municipality. This type of social housing estate is a relatively new concept in post-apartheid South Africa and a first for the City of East London. Apartheid spawned the separation of different groups of people into racial enclaves. It also created barriers between races, advantaged certain races over others and created fear, hatred and general distrust among different racial groups in South Africa. The dislocation of apartheid was accompanied by rapid urbanization and ‘reconstruction’ of infrastructure and inter-racial relationships. The opening up of the country’s borders in compliance with Globalisation made South Africa a melting pot to people of different cultures. South African cities became fragmented and fear and strangeness was everywhere. Housing or the lack of it has been a constant problem that the new post apartheid government has grappled with. The solution of building RDP housing estates has not solved this burgeoning problem. But even more importantly it has failed to reorganize urban life in South Africa. In approaching this study I look at how these new social housing estates have reorganized urban life. I explore the concepts of community, home, generation, gender, material culture and ‘new’ urbanization to provide a framework for my study. This study is a qualitative study based in the city of East London in the Eastern Cape. It is a community study which attempts to go inside the home to unlock some of the intricacies of urban life. Ethnography is the research key used to unlock these intricacies.In conclusion, this study attempts to examine a non-western narrative of community life. Are these housing estates a solution to South Africa’s housing problem? Do they conform only to western narratives of urban life? What kind of citizens do these housing estates produce? These are some of the questions that this study hopes to answer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Packery, Rajendra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Communities , Social change , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc
- Identifier: vital:11967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001312 , Communities , Social change , Community development -- South Africa
- Description: This study focuses on the lives of people living in a social housing estate which was a joint venture between the Housing Association of South Africa (HASA), a Netherlands based foundation and the Buffalo City Municipality. This type of social housing estate is a relatively new concept in post-apartheid South Africa and a first for the City of East London. Apartheid spawned the separation of different groups of people into racial enclaves. It also created barriers between races, advantaged certain races over others and created fear, hatred and general distrust among different racial groups in South Africa. The dislocation of apartheid was accompanied by rapid urbanization and ‘reconstruction’ of infrastructure and inter-racial relationships. The opening up of the country’s borders in compliance with Globalisation made South Africa a melting pot to people of different cultures. South African cities became fragmented and fear and strangeness was everywhere. Housing or the lack of it has been a constant problem that the new post apartheid government has grappled with. The solution of building RDP housing estates has not solved this burgeoning problem. But even more importantly it has failed to reorganize urban life in South Africa. In approaching this study I look at how these new social housing estates have reorganized urban life. I explore the concepts of community, home, generation, gender, material culture and ‘new’ urbanization to provide a framework for my study. This study is a qualitative study based in the city of East London in the Eastern Cape. It is a community study which attempts to go inside the home to unlock some of the intricacies of urban life. Ethnography is the research key used to unlock these intricacies.In conclusion, this study attempts to examine a non-western narrative of community life. Are these housing estates a solution to South Africa’s housing problem? Do they conform only to western narratives of urban life? What kind of citizens do these housing estates produce? These are some of the questions that this study hopes to answer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009