D.Litt.et Phil. (Social Work) / The need for this study arose from the researcher's work with regard to marriage and family life, as well as from her need to understand the specific problems that racially mixed couples have to cope with in the South African context, in this day and age. Further motivation for the researcher was the fact that she has a specific interest in the history of South Africa, especially political history. The two spheres of interest could be successfully combined in this study. In reading on the subject, it became clear to the researcher that this topic lends itself to qualitative methodology, which also appeals to the researcher's mode of thinking and working. The grounded theory approach was new and fresh in the context of Social Work and, as such a challenge to the researcher. In addition to contributing to the Social Work profession, this study could also contribute to the development of research methodology in the Social Work discipline. The goals for the study were as follows: The overall aim formulated was to determine the feelings, experiences and needs of racially mixed couples in the South African context, by utilizing the grounded theory approach.

D.Litt. et Phil. / Interracial marriage can be viewed as a barometer of social change. South Africa has historically been a country of racial tension with legislation seeking to keep the races apart. However, during April 1994 the country's first democratic elections took place, thus ending the reign of white minority rule. It is against this backdrop that the present study took place. The aim of the study is to seek a deeper understanding of the experiences of mixed: race families living in South Africa. Certain questions are raised, inter alia; the causes for interracial relationships and marriage, the reactions of the families of origin, the patterns of adjustment, the raising of the children with specific reference to identity development and, the reactions of the community. Theories on prejudice, discrimination and interpersonal attraction were studied as a basis for a possible understanding of the phenomenon of mixed marriage. A brief exposition of the history of South Africa detailing relevant legislation places the study in context. Statistics on the incidence of interracial marriage and divorce were tabulated. Research pertaining to mixed marriage and interracial children was reviewed emphasizing the issues as outlined in the questions posed. However, very few studies could be found which related to South Africa. As such, media coverage of interracial relationships as reported in South Africa between 1993 to 1994 was also covered.

This study examines the similarities and differences between the historical background and the current performance of Tamil and traditional Zulu marriages. After presenting an account of the historical development of Tamil and Zulu marriage ceremonies, a chronological account of the performance of each of these marriage ceremonies is presented. This account includes a detailed description of the rituals performed during the pre-marriage ceremonies, the actual marriage ceremonies and the post-marriage ceremonies. The incidence and significance of The Anthropology of Geste and Rhythm in each of these ceremonies are demonstrated. Selected Tamil and Zulu Marriage songs are then analysed and interpreted rhythmo-stylistically to demonstrate the incidence of the mnemonic laws of Bilateralism, Rhythmism and Formulism, which account for the transmission of traditions over generations, and which demonstrate the anthropological and psycho-biological nature of memory, understanding and expression as evident in the performance of Tamil and Zulu marriages in KwaZulu-Natal. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

This research sought to examine changing meaning of marriage and meaning of family among urban working class residing in East London and how their perceptions of marriage have shifted from the orthodox norms. This study was conducted in Amalinda, which is one of the East London suburbs. Interviews were conducted with male and female informants. It is acknowledged in this study that marriage has traditionally been regarded as imperative in both African and Western cultures. However, there have been some drastic changes in the marriage institution in the twenty-first century. This study found out that people have shifted from the orthodox practices of marriage. The traditional culture has been influenced by various factors such as education, globalisation, and urbanisation. Furthermore, there has been a rise in the number of people who cohabit, increase in the age of first marriage, premarital childbearing and there has been a decline in the number of polygamous marriages and arranged marriages and a number of people have no problem with same-sex marriages. Furthermore, financial implications and financial securities play are influences on why some people choose or not choose to marry.

The purpose of the study was to identify causes and consequences of early marriages in Lusikisiki. The population of this study is a convenience sample from Lusikisiki. The researcher thought that this was appropriate because these subjects would be sharing their personal experiences in the form of case studies. The ages of subjects that were interviewed were 40 years & 47 years old (both married early) and those that married late were both 50 years old. The idea that guided the study was an exploratory one aimed at understanding the phenomenon of early marriage. The aim was to explore the following ideas: Young girls are being given into marriage at their early age by their parents because of the bride price (ilobola)Women that are given into marriage early feel victimized by this process early marriage disrupts the school pattern of young girls Men are the main beneficiaries of early marriage.

M.A. / This study was prompted by the thousands of frustrated interracial couples who were either compelled to hide their relationships or leave South Africa in order to get married or live where interracial relationships and marriages were permitted. This pattern occurred during the apartheid era, before the repeal of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act and Section 16 of the Immorality Act. After the repeal of these Acts, the number of interracial couples in South Africa increased as indicated by Central Statistical Service figures for 1990, when 3 212 interracial marriages were reported. In April 1994 South Africa gained its first Democratic Government leading to the investigator being encouraged to undertake this study. In the study, the investigator explored patterns of family interaction in South African interracial marriages. Eight married couples were interviewed for between 45 minutes to one hour each, and the interviews were taperecorded. Three raters were used by the investigator to score the taped interviews. Couples seemed to feel that more than any other factor, they had become involved because they loved each other. They seemed to have developed their own style of communication since both verbal and non-verbal acts were seldom misinterpreted by them. Given the past political situation in South Africa, these couples seemed to have developed a closer bond. On the other hand, these couples exhibited the fact that interracial marriages are in most respects like other marriages in terms of their dynamics Three male adolescent children of the interracial couples were also asked to comp) .-,e the Family Functioning in Adolescence Questionnaire. Two adolescents identified with tl -,.. value systems of their parents, while one adolescent disagreed with his parents' value system.

D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology) / The proportions which family problems have assumed in South Africa, led to an increased demand for research on variables related to the development of marital and family integration. The aim of this study is to conceptualise and operationalise the term commitment to marriage, and to investigate its relation to marital integration. Using a countrywide random sample of white married couples in a combined telephone postal survey, it was found that the term commitment to marriage is a multi-dimensional concept, referring to a long-term perspective, involvement in growth of the relationship, and conformity to underlying values. It was found that commitment to marriage makes a statistically significant contribution towards the explanation of marital integration.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / An interest in the causes of disruption in disturbed marriages led to the present study which focuses on the area of interpersonal perception in the marriage relationship. Previous work has demonstrated that there are significantly more perceptual disjunctions between partners in disturbed than in non-disturbed marriages. However, prior research did not attempt to relate such disparate perceptions to personality factors in the respective partners ...

The focus of this study is on the criteria and processes used by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) in recognising spouses in permanent, unmarried unions. In theoretically positioning this focus, four possible areas of tax benefits were reviewed . These include: (i) donations tax, (ii) capital gains tax, (iii) estate duty tax and (iv) transfer duty. Also , the focus of this study was positioned relative to South African taxation acts. Specifically, three Acts were selected for review, viz.: (i) the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962, the Estate Duty Act, No. 45 of 1955, and the Transfer Duty Act, No. 40 of 1949. These Acts may be understood relative to the South African Constitution's framing of notions like equality - given that these Acts signal the legislation's intention to honour the constitutional rights of its tax-paying citizenry. Furthermore, a theoretical framework that highlights official and espoused perspectives of practice is reviewed as it provides a theoretical frame for this study. Given this legislative and theoretical background the following aims were focussed: (1) To identify the official and espoused criteria used by the South African Revenue Services to recognise unmarried partners as spouses, and (2) To identify the official and espoused processes used b~ the South African Revenue Services to recognise unmarried partners as spouses. The chosen methodology is an explorative descriptive methodology, as situated within a qualitative framework. Data sources are described as constituting the three tax Acts, a senior SARS official, and SARS helpdesk personnel. Data selection criteria are described , and convenience and purposive sampling are the stated data selection techniques. Document analysis and interview schedules were used to collect data. Data was managed and analysed via the use of several data analysis techniques. Results are presented and discussed. Significantly, SARS has non-specific criteria that are nebulous, and open to interpretation. Furthermore, processes are poorly stated and provide insufficient guidance to the taxpayer. Given these outcomes, this study also offers two South African legal cases that cogently illustrate criteria and processes for recognising a spouse. Each of these cases are analysed regarding the criteria and processes used to determine the definition of 'spouse'. These cases, while dealing with issues of same-sex adoption and same-sex partner's rights to remuneration benefits serve to highlight factors that may be of use to SARS. Furthermore, international case exemplars are also discussed. Specifically, Canada's taxation laws were focussed. Canada's criteria and processes used to define common-law partners (read as spouse for purposes of this study) serves as an informative case exemplar, relative to other countries also investigated in this study, viz .: the United States of America , Belgium and other European countries. Finally, several recommendations are stated , and an evaluation of the study is provided. / Thesis (M.A.)-- University of Durban-Westville, 2002

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The high divorce rate and stress related changes as it appears in South Africa at present has served as motivation to undertake this research. The researcher was further motivated by the possible changes this study could offer, with reference to assist destructive marriage relationships as well as the contribution to couples enriching their relationships.