ELEMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RESILIENCE IN YOUNG WOMEN FROM A HIGH-RISK COMMUNITY

Yasin Nadat,Susanne Jacobs

doi:10.15270/57-1-908

Abstract

This article reports on the elements contributing to the resilience of young women living in a high-risk urban community in the North-West province (NW) of South Africa who cope with various forms of adversity. Young Black Africans in South Africa face a myriad of, particularly in informal settlement communities. High-risk factors include psychosocial threats and structural adversity. A qualitative challenges descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews with 14 participants was utilized. Major findings indicated that religion is a protective factor fostering resilience. Strong altruistic tendencies, for instance, to serve as role models and peer mentors to other at-risk young women in the community were presented as internal assets. Maternal figures provide external social support. Communities and practitioners should monitor and make available opportunities for programmes and peer mentorship initiatives supporting the acquisition of personal and social assets, as well as for attaining goals that promote wellbeing of the young, particularly those who are disadvantaged. There should be more focus on cultural practices in research by social workers. This project contributes to South African research on indigenous studies.

Highlights

Young Black Africans, in particular young women in South Africa face a myriad of challenges, in informal settlements and township communities
Young Black Africans in the country face a myriad of challenges, in structurally inferior areas known as townships and informal settlement communities spread all over South Africa
The findings of this study indicated that religion, social support, altruism and future goal attainment can be described as defining elements contributing to the resilience of young Setswana women living in a high-risk urban environment

Summary

Introduction

Young Black Africans, in particular young women in South Africa face a myriad of challenges, in informal settlements and township communities. High-risk factors include psychosocial threats and structural adversity. It is debatable whether someone from a high-risk community should necessarily be considered vulnerable. Ikageng in the NW province is representative of a typical township in South Africa, and is considered a significant area of risk because of the psychosocial threats as well as the ‘structural’ adversity. Poverty and a high unemployment rate are key challenges in South Africa. Young Black Africans in the country face a myriad of challenges, in structurally inferior areas known as townships and informal settlement communities spread all over South Africa. Poor housing (inadequate shelter), poverty, violence, poor service provision of electricity and sanitation, socio-economic marginalization, resource-poor schools, high rates of communicable diseases (e.g. AIDS, tuberculosis), and unemployment create high-risk communities

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion