A Community-Based Approach to Improving the Quality of Life of Child-Headed Households

Merlene Christobelle Esau

doi:10.25159/2708-9355/16850

Authors

Merlene Christobelle Esau University of the Free State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1585-707X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/16850

Keywords:

capabilities, functionings, child-headed households (CHH), community-based approach, capabilities approach, participatory action research

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of child-headed households in South Africa presents a significant social challenge that calls for sustainable, community-driven solutions. Based on a successful pilot project in Zastron, South Africa, this research proposes a community-based intervention programme to enable children living in a child-headed household to live a quality life that will contribute to their well-being, enhance their capabilities, and allow them to achieve functionings they reasonably value. Children and the broader community are affected by the phenomenon of child-headed households. Hence, their contribution to developing an intervention programme is necessary. Participatory action research was employed as research design, with those affected by the phenomenon participating in all phases of the design, ultimately leading to the development of the community-based intervention programme. The study found that such a programme is a promising way to protect and enhance the capabilities of children living in these households by focusing on aspects related to their academic performance, career guidance, sustainable gardening, access to nutritious food, the maintenance of family relationships, prevention of diseases, emotional support, mentoring, and funding.

References

Agere, L. M., and P. T. Tanga. 2017. “A Critical Examination of the Nexus Between Psycho-Social Challenges and Resilience of Child Headed Households: A Case of Zola, Soweto.” Child Abuse Research in South Africa 18 (2): 59–67.

Alkire, S., and S. Deneulin. 2009. “The Human Development and Capability Approach.” In An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency, 2–48. London: Earthscan.

Benson, P. L. 2006. All Kids Are Our Kids. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bergold, J., and S. Thomas. 2012. “Participatory Research Methods: A Methodological Approach in Motion.” Historical Social Research 37 (4): 191–222.

Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2006. “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology.” Qualitative Research in Psychology 3 (2): 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Chademana, K. E., and B. van Wyk. 2021. “Life in a Child-Headed Household: Exploring the Quality of Life of Orphans Living in Child-Headed Households in Zimbabwe.” African Journal of AIDS Research 20 (2): 172–180. https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2021.1925311 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2021.1925311

Chidhumo, V., P. Thondhlana, and T. B. Mtetwa. 2024. “The Unheard Voices of Learners from Child-Headed Households: Poverty Experiences of Secondary School Adolescent Learners in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe.” Journal of African Education and Traditional Learning Systems 5 (2): 97–115

Department of Social Development. 2010. National Guidelines for Statutory Services to Child-Headed Households (NGSSCHH). Pretoria: Government Printer.

Etowa, J., B. Keddy, J. Egbeyemi, and F. Eghan. 2007. “Depression: The ‘Invisible Grey Fog’ Influencing the Midlife Health of African Canadian Women.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 16: 203–213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0349.2007.00469.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0349.2007.00469.x

Gray, M. 2010. “Theories of Social Work Practice.” In Introduction to Social Work, edited by L. Nicholas, J. Rautenbach, and M. Maistry, 75–102. Cape Town: Juta and Company.

Green, G. P., and A. Haines. 2016. Asset Building and Community Development. 4th ed. Los Angeles: SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483398631 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483398631

Greenwood, D. J., and M. Levin. 2007. “Action Research Cases from Practice: The Stories of Stongfjorden, Mondragón, and Programs for Employment and Workplace Systems at Cornell University.” In Introduction to Action Research. Social Research for Social Change, edited by D. J. Greenwood, and M. Levin. California: SAGE.

Hall, K. 2024. Statistics on Children in South Africa. South African Child Gauge. Cape Town: Children's Institute, UCT.

Hall, K., and W. Sambu. 2019. “Demography of South Africa’s Children.” South African Child Gauge 1: 216–220.

Lawson, H. A. 2015. “Introducing Participatory Action Research.” In Participatory Action Research, edited by H. A. Lawson, J. C. Caringi, L. J. Pyles, M. Jurkowski, and C. T. Bozlak, 1–34. New York: OUP.

Lepheana, A., and G. Alexander. 2024. “Intensifying Psychosocial Support for Child-Headed Household Learners in Schools for Sense of Belonging and Sustainable Learning.” African Journal of Social Work 14 (2): 83–91. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i2.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i2.4

Mbedzi, P. 2015. “The History of Social Welfare and Social Work.” In Introduction to Social Work in the South African Context, edited by J. de Vos, 43–61. Cape Town: OUP.

McIntyre, A. 2008. Participatory Action Research. California: SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483385679 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483385679

Minkler, M. 2000. “Using Participatory Action Research to Build Healthy Communities.” Public Health Reports 115 (2–3): 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1093/phr/115.2.191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/phr/115.2.191

Mokgatle-Nthabu, M., G. van der Westhuizen, and E. Fritz. 2011. “Interpretations of Well-Being in Youth Headed Households in Rural South Africa: A Grounded Theory Study.” Child Abuse Research in South Africa 12 (2): 66–76.

Mulenga, D. 1999. “Reflections on the Practice of Participatory Research in Africa.” Convergence 32 (1): 33.

Nel, H., H. Louw, R. Schenck, and R. Skhosana. 2021. Introduction to Participatory Community Practice. Pretoria: Unisa Press.

Ngqushwa, T., and M. S. Mkhomi. 2024. “Teacher’s Experiences with Learners from Child-Headed Households: Eastern Cape Teachers’ Voices of Despair.” International Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities 5 (6): 57–68. https://doi.org/10.47505/IJRSS.2024.6.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47505/IJRSS.2024.6.5

Nussbaum, M. C. 2011. “Capabilities, Entitlements, Rights: Supplementation and Critique.” Journal of Human Development and Capabilities 12 (1): 23–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2011.541731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2011.541731

Patel, L. 2015. Social Welfare and Social Development. Cape Town: OUP.

Pettican, A., B. Goodman, W. Bryant, P. Beresford, P. Freeman, V. Gladwell, C. Kilbride, and E. Speed. 2023. “Doing Together: Reflections on Facilitating the Co-Production of Participatory Action Research with Marginalised Populations.” Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 15 (2): 202–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2146164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2146164

Pillay, J. 2016. “Problematising Child-Headed Households: The Need for Children’s Participation in Early Childhood Interventions.” South African Journal of Childhood Education 6 (1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v6i1.359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v6i1.359

Sesoko, M. 2015. “Community Work: A Social Work Method.” In Introduction to Social Work in the South African Context, edited by R. Schenck, P. Mbedzi, L. Qalinge, P. Schultz, J. Sekudu, and M. Sesoko, 147–164. Cape Town: OUP.

Snapp, S. S., R. B. Kerr, A. Bybee-Finley, R. Chikowo, L. Dakishoni, P. Grabowski, E. Lupafya, W. Mhango, V. L. Morrone, L. Shumba, and G. Kanyama-Phiri. 2023. “Participatory Action Research Generates Knowledge for Sustainable Development Goals.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 21 (7): 305–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2591

South Africa (RSA). 2006. Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Pretoria: Government Printers.

Strydom, H. 2011. “Participatory Action Research.” In Research at Grass Roots, edited by A. S. de Vos, H. Strydom, C. B. Fouche, and C. S. Delport, 491–506. Pretoria: Van Schaik.

Strydom, H. 2021. “Sampling Techniques and Pilot Studies in Qualitative Research.” In Research at Grass Roots for the Social Sciences and Human Services Professions, edited by C. B. Fouche, H. Strydom, and W. J. Roestenburg, 379–390. Pretoria: Van Schaik.

Tsoaledi, D. T., and H. L. Muruge. 2022. “Behavioural Experiences Endured in Child-Headed Households: The Case of Tshakhuma Village in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.” Gender and Behaviour 20 (1): 19102–19118.