In this study an analysis was made of the leadership structure of the community of Grahamstown. It was hypothesized that the leadership structure is pluralistic i.e. that leaders are divided along themselves on different issues. An historical and documentary analysis of various aspects of community life revealed that leaders were not united on almost all issues. An analysis of the voluntary associations in which the top leaders took an active part revealed great discrepancy in terms of orientation toward the community, society, and social exclusiveness. A schedule was administered to 90 leaders who were identified by the Cooperating- Informant Technique. Data. were collected about their background characteristics, attitudes toward certain local issues and their general ideological orientations. It was found that stands taken on local issues can best be interpreted in terms of ideological orientation. We conclude that local community leadership is pluralistic. In view of the relationship between local issues and the larger society, several selected problems merit further investigation.

Since the 1950s modernization theory predicted within the Third World a trajectory for social evolution and development mirroring perceived social and developmental evolution in Western societies since the 17th Century. Despite this theory being much discredited in both Western societies and the developing world; this theory still forms the basis for much analysis and policy formulation within post-1990 South Africa. This thesis looks at various aspects of urban black South Africans' existence and concludes that African tradition has found a place within an urban existence due to it's flexibility in dealing with peoples' daily challenges. An urban existence can thus no-longer be thought of as supplanting tradition in favour of western influences, but rather as bringing about a mixture of western and traditional influences - with positive and negative theoretical and practical developmental consequences / Development Studies / M.A.

Since the 1950s modernization theory predicted within the Third World a trajectory for social evolution and development mirroring perceived social and developmental evolution in Western societies since the 17th Century. Despite this theory being much discredited in both Western societies and the developing world; this theory still forms the basis for much analysis and policy formulation within post-1990 South Africa. This thesis looks at various aspects of urban black South Africans' existence and concludes that African tradition has found a place within an urban existence due to it's flexibility in dealing with peoples' daily challenges. An urban existence can thus no-longer be thought of as supplanting tradition in favour of western influences, but rather as bringing about a mixture of western and traditional influences - with positive and negative theoretical and practical developmental consequences / Development Studies / M.A.

Die 21ste eeuse postmodeme samelewing word gekenmerk deur dinamiese veranderinge op aile gebiede wat die kwaliteit van die gesinslewe en opvoedingsbegeleiding binne gesinne bepaaL Hierdie studie poog om aan die hand van 'n omvangryke literatuurstudie en kwalitatiewe ondersoek, die aard, omvang en invloed van sodanige samelewingsverskynsels op verhoudingstigting- en onderhouding en die kwaliteit van opvoedingsbegeleiding in eietydse stadsgesinne te bepaal. Bevindinge toon dat sommige gesinne, as gevolg van hierdie veranderinge, uiters kwesbaar is, dat verhoudinge ontaard en opvoedingsbegeleiding ontoereikend voltrek. Die verval van norme en waardes is veral verswarend vir opvoeding en volwassewordingshulp. Ouers en kinders moet onder verswarende omstandighede die verantwoordelikheid opneem om harmoniese en Iiefdevolle verhoudinge in die gesin te stig en te onderhou. Ondersteunings- en begeleidingsprogramme vir ouers en kinders om toereikende opvoedingsbegeleiding en selfaktualisering te verseker, word aanbeveel. Hierdie programme moet op die mikro-, meso- en makrovlak van die samelewing geloods word. / The post-modem society of the 21st century is characterized by dynamic changes which determine the quality of family life and educational support in families. This study aims to determine, by means of a comprehensive literature study and qualitative investigation, the nature, extent and influence of social phenomena on the constitution and maintenance of relationships as well as the quality of educational support in contemporary urban families. Findings show that some families are vulnerable, that relationships deteriorate and that educational support is inadequate as a result of these changes. The decline of norms and values is an aggravating factor in education and adolescence support. Parents and children have to take responsibility to establish harmonious and loving relationships in the family. Support and guidance programmes are recommended for parents and children to ensure adequate educational support and self-actualization. These programmes must be launched on the micro, meso and macro level of society. / Educational studies / M. Ed. (Sosio-Opvoedkunde)

Die 21ste eeuse postmodeme samelewing word gekenmerk deur dinamiese veranderinge op aile gebiede wat die kwaliteit van die gesinslewe en opvoedingsbegeleiding binne gesinne bepaaL Hierdie studie poog om aan die hand van 'n omvangryke literatuurstudie en kwalitatiewe ondersoek, die aard, omvang en invloed van sodanige samelewingsverskynsels op verhoudingstigting- en onderhouding en die kwaliteit van opvoedingsbegeleiding in eietydse stadsgesinne te bepaal. Bevindinge toon dat sommige gesinne, as gevolg van hierdie veranderinge, uiters kwesbaar is, dat verhoudinge ontaard en opvoedingsbegeleiding ontoereikend voltrek. Die verval van norme en waardes is veral verswarend vir opvoeding en volwassewordingshulp. Ouers en kinders moet onder verswarende omstandighede die verantwoordelikheid opneem om harmoniese en Iiefdevolle verhoudinge in die gesin te stig en te onderhou. Ondersteunings- en begeleidingsprogramme vir ouers en kinders om toereikende opvoedingsbegeleiding en selfaktualisering te verseker, word aanbeveel. Hierdie programme moet op die mikro-, meso- en makrovlak van die samelewing geloods word. / The post-modem society of the 21st century is characterized by dynamic changes which determine the quality of family life and educational support in families. This study aims to determine, by means of a comprehensive literature study and qualitative investigation, the nature, extent and influence of social phenomena on the constitution and maintenance of relationships as well as the quality of educational support in contemporary urban families. Findings show that some families are vulnerable, that relationships deteriorate and that educational support is inadequate as a result of these changes. The decline of norms and values is an aggravating factor in education and adolescence support. Parents and children have to take responsibility to establish harmonious and loving relationships in the family. Support and guidance programmes are recommended for parents and children to ensure adequate educational support and self-actualization. These programmes must be launched on the micro, meso and macro level of society. / Educational studies / M. Ed. (Sosio-Opvoedkunde)