Child-headed Households Research Articles

Resilience Processes Employed in Child-Headed Households in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe

Resilience Processes Employed in Child-Headed Households in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe

The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds

Background: South African youth in poor and rural communities have faced serious challenges, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has worsened their situation. The odds are stacked against them as they try to obtain an education, and eventually a career. Many students struggle to complete their studies amidst the pressure of the pandemic, and concerns over career possibilities weigh heavily on their shoulders.Objectives: The need for this research is to highlight the challenges faced by youth within the education system. It is also to explore the failings of the South African government and its education sector.Method: A brief overview of the current and historical literature was conducted. Relevant literature was reviewed and critically analysed.Results: Eight major themes emerged from the literature surveyed. These included access to education, difficulties faced by girls, racism, infrastructure problems in poor and rural schools, child-headed households, education during COVID-19, food security and the absence of career guidance in low-income schools.Conclusion: In light of South Africa’s difficult history, and the fact that it is 27 years after the fall of apartheid, the state of South Africa’s education system is not conducive to education and promoting career development in young people. More attention needs to be given to education in poorer communities, and government needs to be held accountable.

Life in a child-headed household: Exploring the quality of life of orphans living in child-headed households in Zimbabwe

The overwhelming rate of HIV-related mortality in the past decades has eroded traditional safety nets for orphans, of which the extended family is the most critical. This has led to the formation of new household structures, i.e. child- and youth-headed households, as children and youths are left to live alone and look after themselves. These types of households are a growing phenomenon in many African countries and are increasingly being recognised as household structures. However, in the absence of an economically active adult, orphans living in these households experience numerous challenges. The socio-economic challenges in Zimbabwe could further exacerbate the conditions of child-headed households. This article discusses findings of an ethnographic inquiry on orphans living in child- and youth-headed households in Zimbabwe. We identified parentification, lack of income and social isolation as risk factors affecting quality of life. Social capital and agency were identified as protective factors enhancing children’s quality of life. Our findings suggest that orphans living in child- and youth-headed households are not only victims but are also resilient and can exercise agency. Therefore, interventions to support this vulnerable group should build on their existing resilience and agency.

Family Structure and History of Childhood Trauma: Associations With Risk-Taking Behavior Among Adolescents in Swaziland.

Introduction: Risk-taking and self-harm behavior among adolescent are a global challenge. This study explored family structure and history of childhood trauma and their association with risk-taking and self-harm behaviors among adolescents in Swaziland.Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 470 male and female adolescents were sampled through simple random sampling from selected high schools in Swaziland. They completed a questionnaire assessing family structure, history of childhood trauma, and risk-taking and self-harm behaviors. Analysis of variance and t-test were used to analyze the results.Results: The findings revealed that family structure significantly influence risk-taking and self-harm behavior among adolescents [F(2, 247) = 5.481; P < 0.004] those from child-headed and single-parent households reported higher risk-taking and self-harm behaviors. The results also revealed adolescents history of childhood trauma to be more risk-takers than those without history of childhood trauma t(468) = 3.409, p < 0.001.Discussion: Study results suggest that family structure and history of childhood trauma have significant association with adolescents' risk-taking and self-harm behaviors.

Psychosocial deficits underpinning child headed households (CHHs) in Mabvuku and Tafara suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe

Debates around the psycho-social deficits experienced by children in child headed households are necessary for the transformation of child welfare policies, philosophies and practices in Zimbabwe and beyond. This qualitative study used a case study design to explore the manifestations of the core psycho-social deficits associated with children domiciled in child headed households. The study was conceptualised around the following research question: What are the manifestations of psychosocial deficits among children living in child headed households of Mabvuku and Tafara suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe? A total sample of fourteen participants including twelve children and two key informants were interviewed using pre-designed interview schedules. Findings revealed that psychosocial deficits among children from child headed households manifested through poor personal grooming, indecision and avoidance of challenging situations by the children; sexual violence and unplanned teenage pregnancy; familial and societal neglect, discrimination and isolation and vicarious bereavement. The study recommended moral regeneration, refinement and realignment of child welfare policies and practices; and an extension of grief counselling services to children in child headed households.

Maternal AIDS Orphans and the Burden of Parenting in Youth-headed Households; Implications for Food Security in Impoverished Areas of South Africa

The increasing number of AIDS orphans has led to an increase in child and youth headed households. Adjusting to the parenting role with no support from their extended family is a source of distress for orphans heading households. This study explored the parenting experiences of orphaned youth heading households in resource constraints environments. Methods: The participants were purposely selected from Youth-Headed Households (YHHs) located in informal settlements in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. The data analysis was inductive and followed the thematic approach. Results: Thirteen females and five males aged between 15-24 years were interviewed. The phenomenon of YHHs occured in impoverished informal settlements partly due to orphans being forcefully removed from their parents’ homes after the death of their mothers. The household heads felt morally obliged to care for their siblings, experienced parenting as burdensome, and the role adjustment from being a child to a parent difficult and demanding. The inability to provide adequate food to feed their siblings was a source of emotional stress. In an attempt to fulfil their parenting roles, they dropped out of school to find employment. Conclusion: Although the child support and foster grant are widely recognised for improving children's access to food, education, and basic services in South Africa, the lack thereof contributed to the economic hardships and vulnerability to food insecurity and hunger among orphans in YHHs. There is a need for multi-sectoral interventions to address food insecurity and, in so doing, improve the psychosocial wellbeing of orphans in YHHs.

Psychosocial Support Provision for Learners from Child-Headed Households in Five Public Schools in South Africa

In South African schools, the umbrella term orphans and vulnerable children includes child-headed households (CHHs). In the light of trauma exposure of learners from CHHs due to their plight, there is a need to investigate how they are supported. This research investigated the psychosocial-support provision for learners from CHHs in five public high schools in South Africa. This was a qualitative study using a phenomenological design. A stratified sampling method was used to gather data from principals, co-ordinators of health programmes and teachers with the highest number of learners from CHHs in their classes in 2014 or 2015. Findings are reported from the analysis of data gathered by means of semi-structured interviews and document analysis through the lens of trauma-informed approach. The highest number of learners from CHHs in the participating schools were in Grades 10 to 12 and the percentage ranged between 0.6 to 2.5 in 2014 and 2015. The programme of informal adoption of learners by teachers seemed to be working well, better than other programmes that were implemented by government departments. The results of this study highlight the importance of implementing trauma-informed approach in supporting learners from CHHs.

CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLD IN ETHIOPIA - THE CASE OF ADDIS ABABA CITY AND ADAMA TOWN IN ETHIOPIA

Despite the decreasing number of HIV/AIDS deaths, there are still growing concerns about the increasing number of child-headed households caused by AIDS-related adult mortality, traffic accidents, divorce, and other circumstances. Based on data collected from focus groups over the period 2019-2020, this paper examined child-headed households and their vulnerabilities, like school dropout, economic, psychological, social, and coping mechanisms strategies to survive. Child-headed households are overlooked by society and policymakers despite the number of children living in this form of household significantly high. The paper addresses the need for attention for child-headed households and suggests policies and efficient strategies, and services.

Female leadership, parental non-involvement, teenage pregnancy and poverty impact on underperformance of learners in the further education and training

A number of studies have explored the underperformance of learners. However, there is a paucity of research in South Africa, which focuses primarily on how school leadership, commonly referred to as school management teams (SMTs), accounts for the underperformance of learners and thus the underperformance of schools. To fill this gap, the current study, undertaken in two schools in a district in KwaZulu-Natal province, aimed to explore through a qualitative approach the opinions of SMTs regarding underperformance in the further education and training (FET) phase. School management teams were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and in-depth face-to-face interviews. The interview guideline had a set of broad flexibly worded questions that allowed for in-depth discussion. Data were analysed using a thematic data analysis method. The school management team accounted for, and linked underperformance to a range of reasons. In this article, we present findings which emerged in relation to leadership weaknesses, particularly female leadership weaknesses, socio-economic challenges such as child-headed households and its consequences, teenage pregnancy, violence experienced by female learners, health of learners and educators and poverty. Systemic and structural societal challenges were flagged in the interviews as also impacting on the overall cognitive and psycho social development of learners. School management teams addressed the challenges by implementing a number of interventions that they reported were not successful. There is no simple answer to address the problem and we argue for a social compact which is inclusive of all stakeholders and suggest that intervening at the local level may not have a nation-wide impact but it would have an impact on a particular school. Sensitivity training, which includes gender sensitivity training, and leadership training and support is suggested as part of the interventions. Certain best practices could then be shared with other schools which face similar challenges.

Vulnerable masculinities: Implications of gender socialisation in three rural Swazi primary schools

Background: This article draws on social constructionism to explore vulnerable boys’ constructions of gender within three primary schools in Swaziland. Objectives: It seeks to understand the ways in which vulnerable boys make meaning of masculinities and the implications of these on their social and academic well-being in schools. Method: The study adopted a qualitative narrative inquiry methodology, utilising individual and focus group semi-structured interviews and a participatory photovoice technique as its methods of data generation. The participants comprised 15 purposively selected vulnerable boys – orphaned boys, those from child-headed households and from poor socio-economic backgrounds, aged between 11 and 16 years. Results: The findings denote that vulnerable boys constructed their masculinities through heterosexuality where the normative discourse was that they provide for girls in heterosexual relationships. The vulnerable boys’ socio-economic status rendered them unable to fulfil these obligations. Failure to fulfil the provider role predisposed vulnerable boys to ridicule and humiliation. However, some vulnerable boys adopted caring attitudes as they constructed alternative masculinities. Conclusion: The study recommends the need to affirm and promote alternative masculinities as a strategy for enhancing gender-inclusive and equitable schooling experiences for vulnerable boys.

Psychological Implications of HIV and Aids on Child-Headed Households in SEME Sub-County, Kisumu County- Kenya

Psychological Implications of HIV and Aids on Child-Headed Households in SEME Sub-County, Kisumu County- Kenya

Experiences and Coping Strategies of Children From Child-Headed Households in Swaziland

This study investigated the experiences and coping strategies of adolescent girl learners from child-headed families in the Shiselweni region of Swaziland. Forty (40) girls whose ages ranged from 13-18 years were participants in the study and were selected through purposive sampling in five selected rural schools. Data were collected on the experiences and coping strategies of adolescent girl learners through focus group discussions and individual interviews. The data were thematically analysed. The findings suggest that these girls experience lack of food security, poverty and strained extended family relations. The girls have also shown resilience despite their adversities which they indicated have been achieved through family unity, prayer and church support as coping strategies.

Children of the forests: Child gatherers and traders in non-wood forest products in the Mazowe Valley area in Zimbabwe

Non-wood forest products play a stupendous role in the lives of many people across the globe. The products contribute immensely to household economies as they are either consumed or sold. The object of this study was to give an account of child gatherers of non-wood forest products in the Mazowe Valley area in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a qualitative approach in which data were gathered from 27 children through participant observations and informal interviews. Children were found to actively participate in the collection and trading of non wood forest products. Child collectors of the products are ranged in age from 4 to 17 years. Some of the children lived in child headed households while some lived with their parents. The NWFPs collected include fodder, small animals, insects, mushroom and wild fruits. Income realized from the sale of the products was used for buying food, clothes, goodies, and paying school fees. It is therefore concluded that non-wood forest products contribute towards poverty reduction, enhance well-being and capabilities, ascertain livelihood adaptation, vulnerability and resilience and natural resource base sustainability. Key Word s: Non-wood forest products, children, child poverty, child food poverty

The gendered experiences of children in child-headed households in Swaziland

This study investigated the gender dynamics of living in child-headed households (CHHs) in a rural area in Swaziland that experiences high levels of drought, poverty and HIV and AIDS. Using a qualitative research methodology, the study examined ways in which children in CHHs meet their daily family needs and address their vulnerabilities according to their gender, focusing on the experiences of the children. The study sample consisted of 10 households, with 5 boy and 5 girl-headed households from the chiefdoms within the area. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct interviews in the respondents’ own homes. The study focused on the gendered coping strategies used by the children to sustain their household welfare. Three factors were examined: leadership, food provision and education. The findings show that birth order conferred headship or leadership to the eldest sibling irrespective of their gender. Variations in the performance of the three factors, which were influenced by the gender of the household head, were observed. Generally, the children acted in accordance with their socio-cultural norms demanded in fulfilling the role of leadership and food provision. Boy-headed households become disadvantaged because of the boys’ reluctance to take tasks which would contravene traditional Swazi notions of masculinity. This was exacerbated by societal expectations of the independence of boys. Hegemonic masculinity puts boys at a disadvantage when societal expectations require them to enact their masculinity through independence, rather than by drawing on the support of their neighbours/family/social networks. However, girls conformed to traditional Swazi norms. Societal compassion with the vulnerability of girls produced sustainable social arrangements and fostered resilience in girl-headed households.

Contextual vulnerability of rainfed crop-based farming communities in semi-arid Zimbabwe

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability based on the socioeconomic and biophysical characteristics of Chiredzi District, a region that is susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change and variability.Design/methodology/approachVulnerability was assessed using the Vulnerability to Resilience and the Climate Vulnerability and Capacity frameworks.FindingsThe major indicators and drivers of vulnerability were identified as droughts, flash floods, poor soil fertility and out-migration leaving female- and child-headed households. From sensitivity analysis, it was shown that different areas within the district considered different biophysical and socioeconomic indicators to climate change and variability. They also considered different vulnerability indicators to influence the decisions for adaptation to climate change and variability.Originality/valueThe results of this study indicate that the area and cropping systems are greatly exposed and are sensitive to climatic change stimuli, as shown by the decline in main cereal grain yield. These results also showed that there is a need to define and map local area vulnerability as a basis to recommend coping and adaptation measures to counter climate change hazards.

Exploring Challenges of Adolescent Females in Child-headed Households in South Africa

The adolescent females who take the responsibility of being foster-parents while young need emotional support and care. Owing to multiple factors such as the death of parents, adjustment in parents...

Narratives of resilience among learners in a rural primary school in Swaziland

Drawing from the concepts of social constructionism, the article provides insights on how six purposively sampled Grade 6 vulnerable children, aged between 11‒15, from poverty-stricken families, child-headed households and those allegedly orphaned by AIDS, resiliently navigated their schooling spaces and places in one rural, primary school in Swaziland. The article uses qualitative data from semi-structured individual and focus group interviews and a participatory research method, photovoice, to foreground narrative accounts of the vulnerable children’s creative coping mechanisms aimed at overcoming the unfavourable circumstances of their schooling experiences. Despite facing some home- and school-based challenges, the vulnerable children were found to display deep-rooted resilience, with or without social support and aspiration for educational attainment, seen as a viable alternative for a better future. Creative coping mechanisms that vulnerable children adopted included calculated rebellion against abusive teachers and consignment to solitude or isolation when feeling overwhelmed by unpleasant experiences. It is recommended that support strategies should involve affirming vulnerable children’s voice and resilience, drawing on how these children already creatively navigate their challenges.Â

Circumstances leading to the establishment of child-headed households.

It is estimated that 2,3 million children today in South Africa are orphaned mainly due to HIV/AIDS.As a result most child-headed households exist .The confounding rise in the number of orphans due to HIV/AIDS has left many children in child-headed households. Most research on child-headed households in South Africa reveal that there are as a result of HIV/AIDS. However there is a danger of assuming that all child-headed households exist only because of the AIDS phenomenon. This paper investigates the circumstances leading to the establishment of child-headed households. The study on which this paper is based was carried out in Thulamahashe circuit, Bushbuckridge district, Mpumalanga. The paper is based on qualitative phenomenological research with 20 children in grades 10 and 11 who live in child-headed households. In the study it was revealed that although HIV/AIDS is a major factor leading to the establishment of child-headed households, there are also other factors such as migrant labour, failure of the extended family to absorb orphaned children, urbanization, poverty and being abandoned by parents that lead to the existence of such homes.

THE CHALLENGES AND COPING RESOURCES OF YOUTH HEADING HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

There is a large number of youth-headed households in South Africa. This is linked to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country. Various studies have been undertaken on child-headed households, but there is a lack of research on the personal experiences of youth heading households. The assumption has been made that youth are older and able to cope with their situation. Youth heading households have not been defined as a separate group, but have been included in Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY). The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges and coping resources of youth heading households. A qualitative approach and a descriptive and contextual design were used. It is important that governments and NGOs clearly define a youthheaded household and include youth heading households in research evaluating current services to OVCY, and that they plan services focusing specifically on the needs of this group.

Exploring the Experiences of Young Adults Emerging from Child-headed Households in Alice, South Africa

This paper is aimed at exploring the experiences of young adults emerging from child-headed households in the Alice community in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Using a qualitative research design, interview schedules and focus group discussions were administered to young adults to assess their survival strategies as orphans in child-headed household prior to parents’ death as result of HIV/AIDS. The sample was drawn from 10 young adults emerging from child-headed households in Alice community. Data was transcribed to verbatim and analyzed thematically depending on the flow of the paper’s objectives. The paper revealed that senior members from child-headed households are compelled to drop out of school to look for employment to fend for the younger siblings. The paper indicated that child-headed households face a myriad of psychosocial and economic challenges such as hunger, starvation, high school dropouts, trauma and stress, exploitation, and vulnerability to various forms of abuse. The paper concluded by recommending the government to introduce various developmental initiatives to assist child-headed households.