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)

D. Tech. Marketing, Logistics and Sport Management / Difficulties in implementing and promoting school sport programmes using the sport policy guidelines in South Africa (White Paper), and interviews with employees at the Department of Basic Education in the Tshwaga region, motivated the researcher to undertake this study. The importance of motivating children to participate in sport, and the need to provide a platform and resources for children, teachers and parents to be involved in school sport were discussed. This study explored and described those factors that influence the level of participation of children in sports at both primary and secondary township schools in the City of Tshwane. The aim of the study was to develop a framework for learners' participation in sport at public township schools.

HIV/AIDS is the biggest challenge facing humankind today and can no longer be compared to other health disasters. One of the greatest challenges it presents is that of nurturing healthy children to become competent, adaptive adults despite the numerous negative effects of the pandemic. Of concern is the lack of interventions that address the psychosocial needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence. The present research study aims to evaluate a group therapy programme that has been developed to address this lack. The therapy programme used in this study is embedded in Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological model, which focuses on the interaction between person and environment. The model proposes that this interaction is two directional and reciprocal. It also draws on the literature concerning risk and resilience in children, which aims to understand personal, familial and social factors that create and sustain resilience in children. Thus, the programme aims to intervene on many levels and to give the children the opportunity to deal with and gain mastery over their past experiences and feelings. In addition, it aims to develop resilience, self-esteem and internal coping resources and enables them to access external support systems in the future. In order to evaluate the programme, a sample of 43 vulnerable children was drawn from a peri-urban community in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The sample was randomly divided into a control group and two experimental groups, that later merged into one experimental group. Pre-test data was collected from all the participants in the form of a questionnaire consisting of 4 quantitative tools: the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), the Culture Free Self Esteem Inventory (CFSEI), the Reynolds Child Depression Scale (RCDS) and a Social Support Scale (SSS). The group therapy programme, consisting of 15 sessions was then run with the experimental group. The control group engaged in 15 sessions involving games, singing, III drawing and other activities. Post-test data using the same questionnaire was collected from all the participants. The data was analysed quantitatively. No statistically significant differences were noted between any of the overall pre- and post-test data, except that of the TSCC. The graphical representations of the results showed a reduction in trauma symptoms and depression, and a raise in self-esteem, however the p-values were not significant. This is thought to be the result of the small sample size. The result also indicated that the CFSEI cannot be considered a reliable tool in this study. This study emphasises the need for further research in the field of vulnerable children in South Africa and the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions for this subgroup. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

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.

Aim: To determine whether the tuck shop purchasing habits of Grade 4 learners were contributing towards the development of childhood overweight and obesity. Objectives: To assess the nutritional quality of the food and beverages available for learners to purchase; items regularly purchased from the tuck shop as well as factors influencing the learner’s decision to purchase these items; the anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics of grade 4 learners as well as their nutrition knowledge related to the tuck shop items purchased. Method: A survey administered to 11 tuck shop managers, a questionnaire administered to 311 Grade 4 learners and two single-sex focus groups of 5 learners each were conducted. Results: Fifty six percent of the sample were female (n=173) and 44% were male (n=138). Twenty seven percent of the study sample was overweight (n = 83) and 27% were obese (n = 85). Eighty six percent of learners (n = 266) claimed to buy from their school tuck shop. Twenty two percent of learners purchased from their tuck shop at least three times per week (n =58). Learners who purchased from the tuck shop had a significantly higher BMI than those who did not (p = 0.020). Learners who purchased from the tuck shop spent on average R8,38 per day with a minimum of R1 and a maximum of R40 (standard deviation R5.39). The most popular reasons for visiting the tuck shop included “this is my favourite thing to eat or drink” (66.5%, n = 177) and “I only have enough money to buy this item” (47.0%, n = 125). Savoury pies were the most popular "lunch" item for all learners for both food breaks (45%, n = 5 schools and 27.3%, n = 3 schools) selling the most number of units (43) per day at eight of the eleven schools (72.7%). Iced popsicles were sold at almost every school, ranked as the cheapest beverage and also sold the most number of units (40.7). Healthy beverages sold included canned fruit juice and water, while healthy snacks consisted of dried fruit, fruit salad, bananas, yoghurt and health muffins. The average healthy snack contained almost half the kilojoules of its unhealthy counterpart (465kJ vs 806kJ). Nutritional analyses of the healthy lunch options revealed total fat contents that exceeded the DRI and South African recommended limit. Perceived barriers to stocking healthy items included cost and refrigeration restrictions. The average score for the food groups was only 33% indicating that learners were not familiar with the Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). Further analyses showed that the total knowledge scores of those learners that reported to buy from the tuck shop frequently, was significantly lower when compared to the total knowledge scores of those learners who bought from the tuck shop less frequently (13.0 ± 3.9 and 11.6 ± 3.1, respectively; p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the total knowledge of a learner could be used to predict whether he or she is more likely to make purchases from the tuck shop (significance = 0.017). Focus group results revealed that learners are aware of “healthy” and “unhealthy” tuck shop items. Most learners stated that they would continue to purchase items from their tuck shop if all “unhealthy” items were removed. Conclusion: Primary school tuck shops of well resourced schools in Pietermaritzburg are contributing to childhood overweight and obesity through a combination of factors. These include the poor nutritional quality of the items stocked at the tuck shop as well as the poor tuck shop purchasing practices. Much consultation is required amongst dieticians, school principals and privatised tuck shop managers to overcome barriers to stocking healthy items. School management and government have an important role to play in imposing restrictions on the sale of unhealthy items; along with improving the quality of the nutrition education curriculum to ensure that learners are able to translate their knowledge into healthier purchasing practices. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Bibliography: leaves 369-398. / xiv, 398, [19] leaves : ill., maps, ports ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / A comparative study of a selection of South Australian secondary schools during the period 1880-1919. The ideals of gender and national identity of the various schools are investigated through an analysis of archival records relating to their rhetoric, organisation and curricula. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Education, 2000

Bibliography: leaves 369-398. / xiv, 398, [19] leaves : ill., maps, ports ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / A comparative study of a selection of South Australian secondary schools during the period 1880-1919. The ideals of gender and national identity of the various schools are investigated through an analysis of archival records relating to their rhetoric, organisation and curricula. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Education, 2000

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)