Please read the abstract in the thesis. Copyright / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 1987. / Private Law / unrestricted

Divorce and family disruption are growing phenomena in the world and a reality in many children‟s lives. Almost half of all divorced families in South Africa have children under the age of 18 years. Divorce is a traumatic experience for children. Adolescent children in particular experience divorce as distressing. Adolescent children need to face numerous challenges while going through the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. They are in the process of identity formation and rely on their parents‟ support and presence to develop a strong and positive identity. The Military is often described as a selfish entity, which demands members‟ undivided attention and loyalty. When Military families go through a process of divorce, they need to face the trauma of the divorce as well as the specific demands of the organisation. Adolescent children from divorcing families in a Military context experience specific needs, and their parents and the Military as organisation have a definite role to play in fulfilling these needs. This study focused on exploring the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. A significant amount of research has been done on adolescent children in divorced families, but little is known about the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. Hence, it is in this particular area that this study endeavours to make a contribution. The research was conducted in three Military bases in the Cape Town metropole area. Nine participants (five females and four males) consented to participate in the study. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was based on data saturation. Participants were purposefully selected on the basis of the following: they are adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years, they have parents whose divorce process has been finalised, and one or both of their parents are employed by the Military. Data was collected through conducting semi-structured one-on-one interviews with all participants. A semi-structured interview schedule assisted the researcher to facilitate the interviews for consistency. The researcher was able to validate data and elaborate on certain issues during interviews. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and different themes and sub-themes were defined. The researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the research process by following the guidelines as suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The study found that adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context have specific needs and that their focal need was for emotional support. They need their parents to communicate openly with them regarding the divorce process as well as the reasons for the divorce. Adolescents in Military divorced families long for a good relationship between them and their parents. They need to feel loved and want their parents physically and emotionally present in their lives. Participants need from the Military and schools to offer therapeutic support services as well as group sessions for adolescent children in Military divorced families. Although their basic psychological needs were met by the residing parent, they need to know that the newly formed single-parent family of which they now form part will be able to survive financially. Some researchers found that adolescent children from divorced families tended to reject faith. However, participants in this study indicated that they strongly needed support from their spiritual organisations and youth movements. In order to meet the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in the South African Military context, parents need to stay involved in their children‟s lives and communicate in an open and honest way with them. Military social workers, psychologists and chaplains need to ensure that therapeutic services are available to adolescent children of divorcing parents and that the adolescents attend these sessions. Work-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) could be put in place to ensure that all adolescent children from divorcing families attend therapeutic sessions. Group sessions should be available and accessible for adolescent children in divorcing Military families. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Divorce and family disruption are growing phenomena in the world and a reality in many children‟s lives. Almost half of all divorced families in South Africa have children under the age of 18 years. Divorce is a traumatic experience for children. Adolescent children in particular experience divorce as distressing. Adolescent children need to face numerous challenges while going through the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. They are in the process of identity formation and rely on their parents‟ support and presence to develop a strong and positive identity. The Military is often described as a selfish entity, which demands members‟ undivided attention and loyalty. When Military families go through a process of divorce, they need to face the trauma of the divorce as well as the specific demands of the organisation. Adolescent children from divorcing families in a Military context experience specific needs, and their parents and the Military as organisation have a definite role to play in fulfilling these needs. This study focused on exploring the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. A significant amount of research has been done on adolescent children in divorced families, but little is known about the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. Hence, it is in this particular area that this study endeavours to make a contribution. The research was conducted in three Military bases in the Cape Town metropole area. Nine participants (five females and four males) consented to participate in the study. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was based on data saturation. Participants were purposefully selected on the basis of the following: they are adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years, they have parents whose divorce process has been finalised, and one or both of their parents are employed by the Military. Data was collected through conducting semi-structured one-on-one interviews with all participants. A semi-structured interview schedule assisted the researcher to facilitate the interviews for consistency. The researcher was able to validate data and elaborate on certain issues during interviews. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and different themes and sub-themes were defined. The researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the research process by following the guidelines as suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The study found that adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context have specific needs and that their focal need was for emotional support. They need their parents to communicate openly with them regarding the divorce process as well as the reasons for the divorce. Adolescents in Military divorced families long for a good relationship between them and their parents. They need to feel loved and want their parents physically and emotionally present in their lives. Participants need from the Military and schools to offer therapeutic support services as well as group sessions for adolescent children in Military divorced families. Although their basic psychological needs were met by the residing parent, they need to know that the newly formed single-parent family of which they now form part will be able to survive financially. Some researchers found that adolescent children from divorced families tended to reject faith. However, participants in this study indicated that they strongly needed support from their spiritual organisations and youth movements. In order to meet the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in the South African Military context, parents need to stay involved in their children‟s lives and communicate in an open and honest way with them. Military social workers, psychologists and chaplains need to ensure that therapeutic services are available to adolescent children of divorcing parents and that the adolescents attend these sessions. Work-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) could be put in place to ensure that all adolescent children from divorcing families attend therapeutic sessions. Group sessions should be available and accessible for adolescent children in divorcing Military families. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Parent alienation is an important phenomenon of which family care workers and legal professionals need to take cognisance of and understand. Parent alienation occurs when one parent undermines or prejudices the contact and relationship between the child and the other parent without well-founded reasons. The phenomenon parent alienation mainly occurs in the high-conflict divorce and is often accompanied by care- and contact disputes. The aim of this research is to investigate the father’s experience and perceptions of parent alienation due to high-conflict divorce so that it can lead to social workers providing the targeted father with more appropriate assistance. In this qualitative study the exploratory and interpretative research design was used. Six fathers were selected by means of purposive sampling. Data was collected by means of an in-depth interview with each participant individually as well as field notes made by the researcher. The qualitative data obtained was transcribed and processed by hand in themes. Eight themes were identified from the fathers’ experience and perceptions of parent alienation due to high-conflict divorce. The themes are: Theme 1: Perception of intense pain Theme 2: Unparalleled rage Theme 3: Loss of self-esteem Theme 4: Distrust in women Theme 5: Parental responsibilities and rights Theme 6: Consistent concern about their children’s physical and social well-being Theme 7: Distrust in the court system Theme 8: Supervision and contact It is clear from the research that fathers experience parent alienation in several levels of functioning as traumatic or negative. It appeared from the findings that parent alienation is a reality and the necessity for further research on this phenomenon clearly came to the fore. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Parent alienation is an important phenomenon of which family care workers and legal professionals need to take cognisance of and understand. Parent alienation occurs when one parent undermines or prejudices the contact and relationship between the child and the other parent without well-founded reasons. The phenomenon parent alienation mainly occurs in the high-conflict divorce and is often accompanied by care- and contact disputes. The aim of this research is to investigate the father’s experience and perceptions of parent alienation due to high-conflict divorce so that it can lead to social workers providing the targeted father with more appropriate assistance. In this qualitative study the exploratory and interpretative research design was used. Six fathers were selected by means of purposive sampling. Data was collected by means of an in-depth interview with each participant individually as well as field notes made by the researcher. The qualitative data obtained was transcribed and processed by hand in themes. Eight themes were identified from the fathers’ experience and perceptions of parent alienation due to high-conflict divorce. The themes are: Theme 1: Perception of intense pain Theme 2: Unparalleled rage Theme 3: Loss of self-esteem Theme 4: Distrust in women Theme 5: Parental responsibilities and rights Theme 6: Consistent concern about their children’s physical and social well-being Theme 7: Distrust in the court system Theme 8: Supervision and contact It is clear from the research that fathers experience parent alienation in several levels of functioning as traumatic or negative. It appeared from the findings that parent alienation is a reality and the necessity for further research on this phenomenon clearly came to the fore. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

ENGLISH : Modern fathers often insist that men and women receive equal child rearing responsibilities during marriage and after divorce. It is therefore important to an increasing number of fathers in divorce proceedings, to be considered in the ruling over custody of the child/ren. Research with reference to single fathers and as head of a family was until recently limited. The goal of the research was to explore the experiences of single parenthood by the father with custody of children in their middle childhood years. A qualitative research approach was considered as the most appropriate approach for this study, since the aim of the study was to understand “the world” of the divorced father with custody of his child/ren in their middle childhood years. Furthermore, the aim of the study was to determine how single fathers experience parenthood and how it influences their lives. Through purposive sampling six (N=6) single fathers with custody of their child/ren in their middle childhood years were involved in the study. The researcher conducted a semistructured interview with each of the identified fathers. The researcher managed to compile a theoretical framework regarding custody, the effect of the divorce on a parent as well as the child/ren in the middle childhood years and the experience of single parenthood by the single father, by means of a literature study and discussions with experts. A decade ago, single parent families with the father as the head were a rare phenomenon. The situation is starting to change as the courts are more willing to grant divorced fathers custody of their child/ren. In the past, it was the norm that custody of the children was automatically granted to mothers. At present, the courts are using the best interest of the child/ren; and the ability of a parent to care for the child/ren as guideline. Since it is not always easy for the court to determine which parent should be granted custody of the child/ren, reports from social workers as well as the family advocate are requested. If one of the parties oppose the ruling, a report from a psychologist may be requested. During the empirical study, the data was analysed. The semi-structured interviews made it possible for the researcher to follow up particular themes that emerged from the interviews, while the participants were able to give a fuller picture. Each of the interviews was transcribed and processed according to Creswell’s qualitative data-analysing process. In view of the research information the researcher reached the conclusion that the fathers are successfully fulfilling their roles as single parents. The single fathers do experience role strain but with the assistance of their established support systems they manage to master their roles and tasks. As devoted fathers they wanted to continue full-time parenting after their divorce. The fathers are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and changes that come with single parenthood. They acknowledge that there are challenges but that the positive outweighs the negative. For future research, it is recommended that a bigger sample of single fathers with custody of their child/ren in their middle childhood years should be researched to obtain representative data in terms of fathers’ experiences of single parenthood. The father’s child/ren, family members and domestic workers can also be included in future research in order to provide valuable information about the role of the single father and the impact on the father’s functioning. AFRIKAANS : Hedendaagse vaders dring dikwels daarop aan dat mans en vroue gelyke kinderopvoedingsverantwoordelikhede geniet tydens getroude lewe en ná egskeiding. Dit is gevolglik vir ‘n toenemende aantal vaders in egskeidingsgedinge belangrik om in aanmerking geneem te word met die beslissing oor die beheer en toesig van die kind/ers. Navorsing met betrekking tot vaders as enkelouers en hoof van die gesin, was tot onlangs beperk. Die doelstelling van die navorsing was om die belewenis van enkelouerskap deur die vader met beheer en toesig oor kinders in die middelkinderjare te ondersoek. ‘n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is as die geskikste navorsingsbenadering vir hierdie studie beskou aangesien die doel van die studie was om die geskeide vaders, wat beheer en toesig verkry het oor hulle kind/ers in die middelkinderjare, se leefwêrelde te begryp. Voorts is daar met die studie beoog om vas te stel hoe geskeide vaders enkelouerskap beleef en hulle lewens daardeur beïnvloed word. Ses (N=6) geskeide vaders aan wie beheer en toesig van middeljarige kind/ers toegeken is, is deur middel van ‘n doelgerigte steekproeftrekking by die ondersoek betrek. Die navorser het met elk van hierdie vaders ‘n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud gevoer. Met behulp van literatuurstudie en gesprekke met kundiges het die navorser daarin geslaag om ‘n teoretiese raamwerk saam te stel ten opsigte van beheer en toesig, die effek van egskeiding op ‘n ouerpaar en ‘n kind in die middelkinderjare, asook die belewenis van enkelouerskap deur die vader. Tien jaar gelede was enkelouergesinne met ‘n vader aan die hoof ‘n vreemde verskynsel. Die situasie is egter besig om te verander soos die howe geredeliker beheer en toesig van kinders aan geskeide vaders toevertrou. In die verlede was die norm dat beheer en toesig van kinders outomaties aan moeders toegeken word. Tans gebruik howe egter die kind/ers se belange, en die ouers se vermoë om na die kind/ers om te sien, as riglyn. Aangesien dit nie altyd maklik is om te bepaal watter ouer beheer en toesig oor die kind/ers behoort te kry nie, word verslae deur maatskaplike werkers, asook ‘n aanbeveling van die gesinsadvokaat aangevra. Indien een van die partye die bevindinge teëstaan kan ‘n verslag deur ‘n sielkundige aangevra word. Tydens die empiriese studie is die inligting geanaliseer. Die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude het die navorser in staat gestel om sekere temas, wat tydens die onderhoude na vore gekom het, op te volg, terwyl die respondente in staat gestel is om hul omvattende verhaal te vertel. Elk van die onderhoude is getranskribeer en ooreenkomstig Cresswell se kwalitatiewe data-analiseproses verwerk. Op grond van die navorsingsbevindinge kom die navorser tot die gevolgtrekking dat vaders hulle goed van hul taak kwyt as enkelouers. Die enkelvaders ervaar rolspanning, maar met behulp van goed gevestigde ondersteuningstelsels slaag hulle daarin om die rolle en take te bemeester. As toegewyde vaders wou hulle graag hul ouerskap voortsit ná die egskeiding. Die vaders is bereid om die nodige opofferinge en veranderinge te maak wat ouerskap van hulle vereis. Hulle erken wel dat dit nie sonder uitdagings is nie, maar die positiewe weeg vir hulle meer as die negatiewe. Vir toekomstige navorsing word aanbeveel dat navorsers op ‘n groter aantal enkelouervaders met beheer en toesig oor hulle kind/ers in die middelkinderjare fokus om sodoende meer verteenwoordigende inligting te bekom oor hierdie vaders se belewenis van enkelouerskap. Die vaders se kind/ers, familielede, vriende en huishulpe kan ook betrek word by toekomstige navorsing, aangesien hulle waardevolle inligting kan verskaf oor die rol van die enkelvader en die impak daarvan op sy funksionering. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experience of an only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce. Gestalt field and phenomenological theory in conjunction with current literature provided an overview of the theoretical underpinnings pertaining to the study. A qualitative research approach with a case study of an only-child adolescent dealing with parental divorce was conducted in an ethical manner by means of two face to face, one-on-one, in depth interviews. Two main themes were identified. The first being experienced feelings associated with grief and bereavement, which revealed feelings of anger in the notion that the participant’s childhood was lost as a result of the divorce and being caught between the parental conflicts. The participant seemed to take it upon herself to take care of those significant to her in fear that she would lose them and that the loss would continue to be repeated. It was further revealed that when the only-child adolescent felt a loss of her own identity she in turn felt out of control. The second theme identified was; experience pressure due to being an only-child. Pressure in being an only-child was very significant surrounding the participant. The participant shared a great deal of feelings pertaining to feeling lonely and longing for a sibling. As parents in divorce situations seem to be focussed on their divorce often the child suffers from stress and the unrealistic expectations parents often have surrounding their children. In this study the only-child could not seem to cope with the pressure and in times of despair made use of coping mechanisms, mainly that of cutting to compensate for the emotional pain experienced. The researcher is of the opinion that the study delivered new found awareness into the only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce and is in hope that the new found results are utilised as a platform for further studies about this vulnerable population. / MSW (Play Therapy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experience of an only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce. Gestalt field and phenomenological theory in conjunction with current literature provided an overview of the theoretical underpinnings pertaining to the study. A qualitative research approach with a case study of an only-child adolescent dealing with parental divorce was conducted in an ethical manner by means of two face to face, one-on-one, in depth interviews. Two main themes were identified. The first being experienced feelings associated with grief and bereavement, which revealed feelings of anger in the notion that the participant’s childhood was lost as a result of the divorce and being caught between the parental conflicts. The participant seemed to take it upon herself to take care of those significant to her in fear that she would lose them and that the loss would continue to be repeated. It was further revealed that when the only-child adolescent felt a loss of her own identity she in turn felt out of control. The second theme identified was; experience pressure due to being an only-child. Pressure in being an only-child was very significant surrounding the participant. The participant shared a great deal of feelings pertaining to feeling lonely and longing for a sibling. As parents in divorce situations seem to be focussed on their divorce often the child suffers from stress and the unrealistic expectations parents often have surrounding their children. In this study the only-child could not seem to cope with the pressure and in times of despair made use of coping mechanisms, mainly that of cutting to compensate for the emotional pain experienced. The researcher is of the opinion that the study delivered new found awareness into the only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce and is in hope that the new found results are utilised as a platform for further studies about this vulnerable population. / MSW (Play Therapy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Parenting plans are a new concept for professionals in South Africa working in the field of divorce. Emphasis has been placed on the development of parenting plans by including the concept of parenting plans in section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Professionals are now confronted with formulating adequate parenting plans which are focussed on the best interest standard of the child(ren) and that will assist the family with its functioning post–divorce. The aim of this research was to develop substantive guidelines that can assist the professional in drafting parenting plans. To achieve this aim, the following objectives guided the study: * To provide the legal context of parenting plans in South Africa. A legal context of parenting plans in South Africa is discussed by way of a literature study through an intensive analysis and critical discussion on a number of legal instruments pertaining to children, such as the Children’s Act 38 of 2005; the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). * To ascertain the views of mental health professionals (social workers and psychologists) and legal professionals (attorneys and family advocates) with regard to the divorcing family and parenting plans. The views of mental health professionals and legal professionals with regard to the divorcing family in respect of parenting plans were established. Professionals completed an electronic questionnaire that consisted of open questions to establish their views. Further telephonic interviews with the professionals were facilitated to gain further insight into the professional view points on the issue of divorcing families and parenting plans. * To ascertain the needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) and to present these needs in the structuring of a parenting plan. The needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) were established through an explorative approach by means of a document study and electronic questionnaires that were completed by the family members. Through this exploration the researcher obtained an understanding of the needs of the divorcing family related to parenting plans. * To provide professionals with comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan. Comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan were constructed for professionals working in this area, based on findings of articles 1, 2 and 3 of this research. The researcher also relied on her background and training as a qualified social worker to construct these guidelines. It was concluded that professionals are not necessarily well equipped to structure high quality parenting plans. Guidelines ought to assist the professionals to structure plans that are well organised, practical, child–centred, developmentally appropriate, and representative of the divorcing family needs. The researcher believes that as parenting plans are obligatory for parents that divorce, there is a need for South African research on this subject matter. This study is a contribution in the research field as to assist the professionals with the task of compiling parenting plans for the divorcing family. In addition this study adds value to the forensic field by setting guidelines on the structuring of parenting plans that empower the professional to work in this challenging field. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Parenting plans are a new concept for professionals in South Africa working in the field of divorce. Emphasis has been placed on the development of parenting plans by including the concept of parenting plans in section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Professionals are now confronted with formulating adequate parenting plans which are focussed on the best interest standard of the child(ren) and that will assist the family with its functioning post–divorce. The aim of this research was to develop substantive guidelines that can assist the professional in drafting parenting plans. To achieve this aim, the following objectives guided the study: * To provide the legal context of parenting plans in South Africa. A legal context of parenting plans in South Africa is discussed by way of a literature study through an intensive analysis and critical discussion on a number of legal instruments pertaining to children, such as the Children’s Act 38 of 2005; the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). * To ascertain the views of mental health professionals (social workers and psychologists) and legal professionals (attorneys and family advocates) with regard to the divorcing family and parenting plans. The views of mental health professionals and legal professionals with regard to the divorcing family in respect of parenting plans were established. Professionals completed an electronic questionnaire that consisted of open questions to establish their views. Further telephonic interviews with the professionals were facilitated to gain further insight into the professional view points on the issue of divorcing families and parenting plans. * To ascertain the needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) and to present these needs in the structuring of a parenting plan. The needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) were established through an explorative approach by means of a document study and electronic questionnaires that were completed by the family members. Through this exploration the researcher obtained an understanding of the needs of the divorcing family related to parenting plans. * To provide professionals with comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan. Comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan were constructed for professionals working in this area, based on findings of articles 1, 2 and 3 of this research. The researcher also relied on her background and training as a qualified social worker to construct these guidelines. It was concluded that professionals are not necessarily well equipped to structure high quality parenting plans. Guidelines ought to assist the professionals to structure plans that are well organised, practical, child–centred, developmentally appropriate, and representative of the divorcing family needs. The researcher believes that as parenting plans are obligatory for parents that divorce, there is a need for South African research on this subject matter. This study is a contribution in the research field as to assist the professionals with the task of compiling parenting plans for the divorcing family. In addition this study adds value to the forensic field by setting guidelines on the structuring of parenting plans that empower the professional to work in this challenging field. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.