This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research journey, informed by postmodernism and social constructionism, was based on a narrative enquiry into the healing and renegotiation of identity of five "faithful spouses" post infidelity and divorce. These conversations occurred within a small group context, where narratives were spoken and witnessed (pastoral therapeutic gatherings), and were aimed at enabling the participants to remember and re-author preferred identities and new ways of being. This dissertation attempts to bring together the narratives of the participants, the literature, narrative therapy and pastoral care. My research curiosity was prompted by my mother's experience of divorce, and by the myriad number of conversations I have had with both "infidels" and "faithful spouses" in my pastoral practice. This research journey examines the process of co-creating, along with my fellow travellers (research participants), a viable model of divorce recovery in the face of infidelity and divorce. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Theology)

This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research journey, informed by postmodernism and social constructionism, was based on a narrative enquiry into the healing and renegotiation of identity of five "faithful spouses" post infidelity and divorce. These conversations occurred within a small group context, where narratives were spoken and witnessed (pastoral therapeutic gatherings), and were aimed at enabling the participants to remember and re-author preferred identities and new ways of being. This dissertation attempts to bring together the narratives of the participants, the literature, narrative therapy and pastoral care. My research curiosity was prompted by my mother's experience of divorce, and by the myriad number of conversations I have had with both "infidels" and "faithful spouses" in my pastoral practice. This research journey examines the process of co-creating, along with my fellow travellers (research participants), a viable model of divorce recovery in the face of infidelity and divorce. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Theology)

PHD (African Studies) / Center for African Studies / The challenges facing divorcees when it comes to pastoral care and counselling are among the toughest to face members of the Reformed Churches South Africa (RCSA) in the Vhembe District today. There are many people in South Africa who are experiencing the pain of being divorced. The RCSA in the Vhembe District are also faced with this challenge and it affects their doctrines and their practical ministries. These challenges also affect the pastors of the RCSA. The aim of this research is to investigate the challenges that divorcees face regarding pastoral care and counselling in the RCSA in the Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa in order to develop an approach to pastoral care and counselling to support divorcees so that they may learn to cope with their challenges. Caring and counselling for the divorcees is the primary mission of the church. The study utilised a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design to obtain data from the participants within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. A sample of 30 participants (divorcees) from the RCSA in the Vhembe District was used. Data were collected on an individual basis by means of unstructured interviews. The qualitative data were collected and analysed using the six steps of open coding proposed by Tesch in an effort to understand personal experiences of divorcees. The research used Graham Redding’s approach to establish trustworthiness. The study adhered to four criteria to assess the value of the findings of qualitative research, namely credibility, applicability, consistency, and conformability. The ethical considerations were taken into account. The findings of this study show that divorcees experience many challenges, and that Reformed pastors are not equipped and not doing enough to address those challenges. This research helps to enhance the quality of pastoral care and counselling to the divorcees within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. The findings and recommendations of the study are useful in guiding all Reformed pastors in providing pastoral care and counselling to divorcees.

The psychological effects on, and the experience of divorce by women and children are widely researched. However little data is available on how divorce affects men and how they experience a marriage break-up. This study aims to explore and describe the `voices' (experiences) of divorce from three men's perspectives. The randomly selected sample for this study consisted of three participants'. Data was collected in the form of the participants own written testimonials. Out of the written testimonials themes were identified and explored by the researcher. This was done from an ecosystemic epistemological stance within the post-modern paradigm, with the symbolic use of music / popular songs to further `enhance' the exploration and description of the research participants' experiences of divorce. A qualitative methodological design was followed, allowing `unique' and personal `meaning' and experience to emerge. This study's results were presented in the form of `integrative' and descriptive text. Overall the study explicated unique descriptions of men's experiences of divorce with the creative application of music to enhance descriptions and experiences. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Globally divorce is an increasing phenomenon. If not handled correctly it may be significantly destructive for the people involved. The new Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005 regards the best interests of the child paramount in all matters concerning the care, protection and well-being of a child. It underpins the importance of the full, or specific parental responsibilities of parents, the importance of a conciliatory and non-confrontational approach to the settlement of child-centred disputes. It also mandates that the child has the right to participate in an appropriate way in any matter concerning that child and that his views must be given due consideration. Further Act 38 of 2005, provides for parenting plans to be agreed upon determining the exercise of their respective responsibilities and rights. The goal of this research was to explore, develop and implement a process of family mediation with reference to Act 38 of 2005. Five families affected by divorce and their children were selected as case studies for qualitative research. Applied research was done within the context of intervention research and the first four phases of Rothman and Thomas’ Intervention Research model was used. Problems caused by divorce were identified and the goal was to address the best interests of the child by improving the co-parenting relationship, parent-child relationships and the quality of parenting. Information gathering and synthesis took place by using existing information sources, studying natural examples and identifying functional elements of successful models.An observational system was designed. It included the natural observing of the five case studies, specific procedural elements and intervention. The design criteria were applied to the preliminary intervention concept. / Social Work / D.Diac. (Spelterapie-Rigting)

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)

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Hierdie studie handel oor die ontwikkeling van die "clean break"-beginsel met verwysing na die posisie daarvan in vergelykbare regstelsels. Dit toon aan hoedat maatskaplike omstandighede die samelewing se siening van die huwelik be"invloed het. Die hedendaagse samelewing is ten gunste van 'n "clean break" na egskeiding, sonder 'n voortdurende onderhoudsverpligting. Hierdie neiging beinvloed die finansiele posisie · van gades na egskeiding nadelig. Dit is 'n feit wat ook in regskringe al hoe meer erkenning geniet en daartoe aanleiding gegee het dat voortdurend gedebatteer word oor wyses waarop die finansiele posisie van vroue na egskeiding verbeter kan word. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die siening van substansiele gelykheid 'n invloed behoort te he op die finansiele posisie van gades na egskeiding. Gesien teen die agtergrond van die fundamentele menseregte handves is 'n bemoeienis van regswee inderdaad geregverdig. / This study traces the development of the "clean break" principle as it has developed in comparable legal systems. It shows that changed socio-economic conditions influenced society's view of marriage. Modern society tends to follow a "clean break" after divorce, with no continuing maintenance obligations. This trend tends to influence the financial position of single parent families after divorce negatively. This fact has been recognised in legal circles and has led to a continuing debate on ways to improve the financial position of women after divorce. My study concludes that substantial equality as seen from a fundamental human rights position point of view, justifies legal involvement with regard to the financial position of spouses after divorce. / Private Law / LL. M.

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)

The psychological effects on, and the experience of divorce by women and children are widely researched. However little data is available on how divorce affects men and how they experience a marriage break-up. This study aims to explore and describe the `voices' (experiences) of divorce from three men's perspectives. The randomly selected sample for this study consisted of three participants'. Data was collected in the form of the participants own written testimonials. Out of the written testimonials themes were identified and explored by the researcher. This was done from an ecosystemic epistemological stance within the post-modern paradigm, with the symbolic use of music / popular songs to further `enhance' the exploration and description of the research participants' experiences of divorce. A qualitative methodological design was followed, allowing `unique' and personal `meaning' and experience to emerge. This study's results were presented in the form of `integrative' and descriptive text. Overall the study explicated unique descriptions of men's experiences of divorce with the creative application of music to enhance descriptions and experiences. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Globally divorce is an increasing phenomenon. If not handled correctly it may be significantly destructive for the people involved. The new Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005 regards the best interests of the child paramount in all matters concerning the care, protection and well-being of a child. It underpins the importance of the full, or specific parental responsibilities of parents, the importance of a conciliatory and non-confrontational approach to the settlement of child-centred disputes. It also mandates that the child has the right to participate in an appropriate way in any matter concerning that child and that his views must be given due consideration. Further Act 38 of 2005, provides for parenting plans to be agreed upon determining the exercise of their respective responsibilities and rights. The goal of this research was to explore, develop and implement a process of family mediation with reference to Act 38 of 2005. Five families affected by divorce and their children were selected as case studies for qualitative research. Applied research was done within the context of intervention research and the first four phases of Rothman and Thomas’ Intervention Research model was used. Problems caused by divorce were identified and the goal was to address the best interests of the child by improving the co-parenting relationship, parent-child relationships and the quality of parenting. Information gathering and synthesis took place by using existing information sources, studying natural examples and identifying functional elements of successful models.An observational system was designed. It included the natural observing of the five case studies, specific procedural elements and intervention. The design criteria were applied to the preliminary intervention concept. / Social Work / D.Diac. (Spelterapie-Rigting)