This research aimed to reflect upon the experiences of children in middle childhood regarding economically unstable circumstances within the family system. The theoretical underpinnings of this study were the ecological systems theory as proposed by Bronfenbrenner, the family systems theory as well as the field theory within the gestalt paradigm. Exploratory, qualitative research design with instrumental case studies was used during this research and data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews with randomly sampled participants and their parents. The researcher interviewed 16 individual children, consisting of seven male and nine female participants. The focus group consisted of seven parents, consisting of two male and five female participants. The researcher arrived at a conclusion that children are indeed influenced by the world wide economic turmoil. The researcher found that children experience the impact of economic instability in various contexts within their field of existence. They experience the effects of economic instability within the household as changes to daily luxuries are visible, conflict between parents increase and they experience an escalation in peer pressure to keep up with the financial expectations of their peers. The researcher is therefore of the opinion that the extent to which the economic unstable circumstances influence and affect children can easily be overlooked. In the absence of voicing the experiences of children, they cannot be fully understood and the researcher recommends that significant role players, such as parents and teachers should be assisted and guided to understand and support their children in a changing world. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This single case study was undertaken to determine how the Gestalt approach can be used to guide the child to adjust in a children's home. The study dealt with two models of children's homes, namely the traditional setting and the family centered home setting, as well as adjustment and attachment of a single child's experience in the middle school years, in the family centered home setting. In addition, the trauma, loss and culture shock are highlighted to demonstrate the difficulty children experience in adjusting to a new environment such as a children's home. Data were captured around the participant's experience and process, entering the children's home and the facilitating through intervention. Through the intervention the participant's process was identified, helping him to cope with his new situation. Through Gestalt play therapy the participant's active involvement in his adjustment process was clear and his adjustment was increased. / Social work / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

This single case study was undertaken to determine how the Gestalt approach can be used to guide the child to adjust in a children's home. The study dealt with two models of children's homes, namely the traditional setting and the family centered home setting, as well as adjustment and attachment of a single child's experience in the middle school years, in the family centered home setting. In addition, the trauma, loss and culture shock are highlighted to demonstrate the difficulty children experience in adjusting to a new environment such as a children's home. Data were captured around the participant's experience and process, entering the children's home and the facilitating through intervention. Through the intervention the participant's process was identified, helping him to cope with his new situation. Through Gestalt play therapy the participant's active involvement in his adjustment process was clear and his adjustment was increased. / Social work / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of this study was to compile a programme to prepare the child in a children's home for family re-unification. An extensive study of relevant literature was conducted and included works on subjects such as the middle childhood years, the child in the children's home, family re-unification, the Gestalt approach and Gestalt play techniques. An empirical study was undertaken with semi structured interviews with social workers and family re-unification workers. From these resources some themes were identified to be included in the programme. Conclusions and suggestions were made in the interest of the implementation of the programme. / Social Work / M.Diac.(Rigting: Spelterapie)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The research for this study has shown that the circumstances in which the majority of children in South Africa find themselves, are extremely complex and problematic, to such an extent that not only the quality of children's lives is endangered, but their lives as such. Besides the measures taken by government to improve the situation of children, it is pre-eminently the Christian church that is able to render a unique and, at the same time, a fully relevant contribution to the debate, processes and actions regarding children in South Africa. For this to be achieved, however, the church should be guided by a theology that is truly contextual and missionary in nature. In this study, therefore, distinct critical elements are being identified, which could be utilized in shaping a theory for child ministry. What is visualized by the researcher in this regard, is the formulation of a practicail-theological theory that is derived from a Scripturally sound theology, on the one hand, and, on the other, oriented to the contextual realities of children. / Die navorsing vir hierdie studie het getoon dat die lewensomstandighede van die meerderheid kinders in Suid-Afrika uiters kompleks en problematies is, in so 'n mate dat nie alleen die lewenskwaliteit van kinders nie, maar hulle lewe selfbedreig word. Benewens die maatreels van owerheidswee om die lot van kinders te verbeter, is dit by uitstek die Christelike kerk wat in staat is om 'n unieke en tegelyk volledig relevante bydrae te lewer tot die debat, prosesse en aksies rakende kinders in Suid-Afrika. Hierin sal die kerk hom egter moet laat lei deur 'n teologie wat op kontekstueel en missioner verantwoorde wyse beoefen word. In die studie word daarom bepaalde kritiese elemente geifdentifiseer wat in verdere teorievorming oor kinderbediening aangewend kan word. Wat in die verband die navorser voor oe staan, is die formulering van 'n prakties-teologiese teorie wat enersyds aan 'n Skrifgetroue teologie ontleen en andersyds aan die kontekstuele realiteite van kinders georienteer is. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Youth work)

The aim of the current study was to determine the occurrence and effects of corporal punishment in the South African environment. Special attention was paid to themes that were derived from the literature. These themes were immediate compliance, aggression and the parental influence of corporal punishment. This was a quantitative study which utilised a survey developed by the researcher using previous literature on the topic of corporal punishment. The sample was taken from four different schools in the Johannesburg area. The sample consisted of one hundred and twenty one children within middle childhood (N=121). It was found that corporal punishment is occurring in South African homes. It was also found that children do not feel indifferent about the use of corporal punishment. When it came to the use of corporal punishment and socio-economic status, it was found that there is a significant correlation between the two. / Social Work / M.Diac (Play therapy)

With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. xviii In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. / Psychology / D. LITT et. Phil. ( Psychology)

This study focused on the experiences of professionals in drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context. The primary aim of the study was to explore the participants’ personal and professional experiences through an in-depth and sensitive inquiry. The data was collected from five participants using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of this study indicate that professionals experience various challenges when working with high-conflict separating and divorcing families. The participants also shared their perceptions regarding parenting plans. Further research on the challenges specific to drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context is recommended / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

South Africa is grappling with the AIDS pandemic that increases the numbers of vulnerable orphans, whose resilience is threatened. Little is known about the processes that enable resilience among these orphans. This qualitative study explored the roots of resilience among 23 AIDS-orphans. The Draw-and-write technique was used to collect data. The participants were asked to make drawings of what enabled them to cope resiliently and to write short narratives explaining their drawings. The drawings were grouped according to the dominant themes. A content analysis of the drawings and narratives was done. Eight themes relating to the roots of resilience among the participants emerged, namely, the participants had active support systems, participants received religious and/or spiritual support, participants had access to social services, books and school attendance changed the participants’ lives, having access to safe a home enhanced resilience, receiving inspiration, having a positive self-image and personal dreams, and physical activity was used to achieve catharsis. These findings have implications for theory and practice / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Magister Technologiae: Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The annual incidence of pedestrian casualties on South African roads is approximately 34 000. This includes 4 000 deaths, 10 000 serious injuries and 20 000 minor injuries, costing the country an estimated R2,55 billion. A large number of injuries involve children and this is distressing but preventing this is a challenge. Statistics indicate that pedestrians are most at risk. School children have been identified as forming a considerable percentage of pedestrians. Consequently it is important to understand factors that influence children's travel patterns as an initial step toward reducing the accident rate. This study examines children's travel patterns at primary and secondary schools in the eThekwini area. In the absence of statistics regarding journeys to transport children to school, a questionnaire survey was designed to determine demographics, mode of travel to school, travel cost and duration, factors influencing choices of alternate modes of travel and problems experienced during school travel in terms of road safety. In addition, an on-site investigation was undertaken to assess the relevant engineering aspects including geometric design, traffic calming, signage and other traffic management aspects. This study focuses on scholar transport and discusses the findings of pilot and focal surveys. On analyzing the data, various problems were identified, namely: the road environment favours drivers over pedestrians, an absence of a formal travel plan, poor driver behaviour and an absence of dedicated school buses. A range of possible solutions is recommended. The recommendations focus on the Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation aspects.