No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Zugl.: Bayreuth, University, Diss., 2006 u.d.T.: Lotter, Anja: Entwicklung der Rechtsprechung zu den Grenzen der Privatautonomie bei Vereinbarungen über den nachehelichen Unterhalt, insbesondere den Betreuungsunterhalt.

Cohabitation is a complex phenomenon with a multifaceted trajectory. It carries different meanings for couples. It is not a permanent state but a transition, which is characterised by uncertainty pertaining to its future. Its future lies with men who still have the prerogative to decide its progression. Women can only live in hope. A qualitative, phenomenological, explorative, descriptive, and contextual study was undertaken with 21 participants whose ages ranged from 25 to 35 years. The goals of this study were threefold: (i) to develop an in-depth understanding of the place of cohabitation in the context of changing family patterns and lessons for social work intervention; (ii) to gain insight into the participants’ experiences in cohabiting relationships in relation to the benefits, challenges, and mechanisms to address any challenges; and (iii) to proffer lessons for social work intervention based on the participants’ perspectives. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed following Tesch’s (in Creswell, 2009) framework. Lincoln and Guba’s model was utilised for data verification. The major findings of this study indicate that the majority of dating couples slide into cohabitation without a clear agreement on the progression of the transition or relationship. The meaning of cohabitation is gendered as most women regard it as a transition to marriage, hoping that one day their partners will propose marriage. Conversely, men simply enjoy the presence of a woman in the house. Surprisingly, none of the participants consulted social workers when they were experiencing challenges in their relationships. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Die nie-nakoming van onderhoudsbevele is 'n universele problem. Wereldwyd word daar gedurig pogings aangewend om by wyse van wetgewing effektiewer afdwinging van onderhoudsbevele te bewerkstellig. Op 1 Maart 1992 het die wetgewer hier te lande 'n aantal nuwe maatreels vir hierdie doel beliggaam in die Wysigingswet op Onderhoud, 2 van 1991, wat op genoemde datum in werking getree het. 'n Ondersoek is gedoen by die Johannesburgse Landdroshof waar 'n studie gemaak is van 2,248 afgehandelde sake en strek oor die periode 1Maart 1992 tot 31Augustus1995. Die ondersoek bring aan die lig dat die bepalings van genoemde Wysigingswet op Onderhoud, wat gerig is op effektiewer afdwinging van onderhoudsbevele, nie 'n noemenswaardige verbetering in effektiewer afdwinging van hierdie bevele in die praktyk tot gevolg gehad het nie. Dit blyk dat die meeste howe geneig is om belangrike afdwingingsmeganismes soos besoldigingsbeslag bevele en lasbriewe vir eksekusie oor die hoof sien. Kritiek word uitgespreek op sommige van hierdie bepalings en voorstelle word gemaak hoe relatiewe geringe wysigings daaraan effektiewer afdwinging van onderhoudsbevele kan bewerkstellig. Daar word kortliks verwys na die afdwinging van onderhoudsbevele in antler regstelsels en hoe hulle poog om effektiewer afdwinging van onderhoudsbevele te bewerkstellig. / The ineffective enforcement of maintenance orders appears to be a world wide phenomenon. Legislators here and aboard are always attempting to improve the effectiveness of maintenance collection and enforcement methods. Research done at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court involving 2,248 cases covering the period 1 March 1992 to 31 August 1995 reveals that the Maintenance Amendment Act, 2 of 1991, which is aimed at improving the enforcement of maintenance orders had a negligible effect on enforcement mechanisms used by the courts. It appears that most courts are inclined to overlook important collection methods such as garnishee and attachment orders. Criticism is levelled at certain provisions contained in the Maintenance Act, 23 of 1963, as amended. Suggestions are made how relatively simple amendments would contribute to more effective enforcement of maintenance orders. A brief survey is made of attempts by some Western countries to improve the manner of maintenance collection. / Private Law / LL. M. (Law)

M.A. (Social Work) / In a society where the demands are increasing, it will be expected of the South African family to demonstrate competence and functionality. Disintegration in the family life is causing distress and doubt regarding the role of the family as the keeper of social standards. The Government's concern and the renewed interest of academici, once again focusses the attention on the family. The importance of the functional family must be stressed. In this study the characteristics, functions, the achievement of family goals and the process of development of the white functional family with adolescent children is discussed. The program profile which is presented for the enrichment of the functional family with adolescent children's interactional processes is systematized into eight steps, whereby the family can assess their present functioning by ways of a self initiated assessing index with a numerical value. This assessment can be obtained by tabulating variables towards each other. Depending on the identified need, a program is designed which will promote and enrich enhancement of the existing good relationships within the functional family. It is the responsibility of the program designer to provide this family enrichment program with contents and to see that it focusses on the development of competence rather than on the changing of behavior. It is important that the necessary care is taken for this program to be family-susceptible and that it meets with the requirements of the family and profession.

M.A. / Western models are often used when treating families in the South African context. However, these models prove to be inappropriate because of the unique South African multi-cultural context. This unique cultural context necessitates the adaptation of models to the diversity of traditional African families. The social functioning of the traditional African family must first be described before a suitable therapeutic model can be developed. The primary purpose of this study was to describe the social functioning of the traditional Tswana family in Bapong. A qualitative research method was used to describe the social functioning of the traditional Tswana family in Bapong. This method was used because little is known about the social functioning of such a family and it was necessary to obtain as much information as possible. The focus was on family functioning within the natural environment. Participatory observation, as well as unstructured interviewing, was primarily used to collect data. Bapong served as population. For the purpose of the study a non-probabilistic purposeful random sample was used, three Bapong families were identified and field notes and audio-cassettes were used for data capturing. The audio-cassettes were transcribed. Data processing was done by means of analysis schedules, which were compiled and categorised by referring to the contents of the transcripts and field notes. Establishing relations within the different categories identified the central themes. The themes were presented as results. These results were compared with relevant literature, to support the trustworthiness of the research. The trustworthiness of the study was also tested on the basis of credibility, transferability, consistency and impartiality. Conclusions concerning methodology, content and context were drawn from the study. The methodological conclusions concern the research method used. Conclusions about the content dealt with the objectives of the empirical study. Contextual conclusions were general conclusions drawn from the specific study. Recommendations are based on the results of, and the conclusions drawn from the preceding study. The recommendations are focussed on enrichment of practice, broadening of training and identifying possible research.

Religious and cultural discourses shape relationships/marriages. The constructed nature of relationships/marriages opens the possibility for alternative relational realities. Positioning relationships/marriages in alternative discourses assisted the couples to construct a preferred relationship narrative. Three couples embarked on this feminist participatory action research journey - a couple from the Jehovah's Witnesses tradition,' a couple from the Dutch Reformed Church and a couple from a Gay Refonned Church. Conversations with the participating couples deconstructed their relationships. It also enabled the couples to co-author alternative, preferred realities of their relationships/marriages and to provide rich descriptions of these. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

This thesis explores the use of domicilium as a criterion in choice of law and jurisdiction in South African law with special reference to private-law status. In this area of the law adherence to the status theory has, in the recent past, resulted in the use of domicile as an exclusive ratio jurisdictionis. This has impacted negatively on choice of law issues in status matters: since domicile constituted the sole jurisdictional criterion, little attention was devoted to choice of law. Even though the lex domicilii was, in actual fact, applied to choice of law issues concerning private-law status, it happened only as a result of the assumption of jurisdiction by the forum domicilii. With the emergence of alternative jurisdictional criteria, such as ordinary residence, choice of law issues will have to be addressed from a conflict of laws perspective, since the jurisdictional criteria will no longer ensure the application of the appropriate lex causae. In this regard recognition of the functional diversification of jurisdictional and conflicts connecting factors is crucial: different principles and policies underlie the fields of jurisdiction and choice of law and this must be borne in mind when a connecting factor is selected. In view of the prominence of domicilium as a connecting factor, problem areas in regard to the interpretation and ascertainment of domicile, especially the domicile of choice, is investigated within the context of the Domicile Act 3 of 1992 and with a view to future reform. It is submitted that the subjective animus requirement for the acquisition of a domicile of choice remains uncertain and undefined. Since domicile constitutes such an important connecting factor in issues pertaining to private-law status, as well as other non-status matters, it is essential that it should be readily and easily ascertainable. In this regard certain concrete proposals for future reform are advanced. Ultimately the domicile of an individual should indicate the community to which he/she truly belongs: only then will domicile constitute a conflicts connecting factor which satisfies the demands of conflicts justice. / Private Law / LL. D. (Law)

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.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Die regsposisie van die deelgenote tot 'n de facto huwelik word krities ondersoek met inagneming van die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse regsposisie, oorsigtelike regsvergelyking, die morele argument, en die invloed van die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika. Die verskillende vorme van de facto huwelike in sy bree interpretasie word in oenskou geneem en die volgende verbindings word bespreek: saamwoonverhoudings; inheemsregtelike huwelike; huwelike voortspruitend uit godsdienstige tradisies; en homoseksuele huwelike. Dit word gevind dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regsposisie tans baie onbevredigend is. Sekere voorstelle vir wysigings word aan die hand gedoen, en daar word gewys op die unieke kenmerke van die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie wat in ag geneem moet word in die vorming van 'n nuwe benadering. Dit word bepleit dat die regslui die uitdaging moet aangryp en met innoverende denke 'n nuwe bestel vir die Suid-Afrikaanse reg moet skep wat buigbaar en soepel is, maar terselfdertyd regsekerheid bevorder. / The legal status of the parties to a de facto marriage is investigated, taking into consideration the present South African position, legal comparison, the moral argument, and the influence of the Constitution of South Africa. The different forms of the de facto marriage in its wide interpretation are reviewed and the following relationships are discussed: cohabitation relationships; customary marriages; marriages resulting from religious traditions; and homosexual relationships. It is found that the present South African legal position is very unsatisfactory. Several suggestions for amendments are made, and the unique characteristics of the South African situation to be taken into consideration in forming a new approach, are highlighted. It is pleaded that the legal profession accept the challenge to create, with innovation, a new system for South African law which will be flexible, but, will at the same time ensure certainty in law. / Private Law / LL. M.