Emphasis in the study is on the prevalence of poverty especially in the so called third world developing countries. Poverty as a social problem is caused by a number of factors, viz: Over population, unemployment, illiteracy, etc. In the case of the study the focus is the rapid population growth or "population explosion" as it is commonly known. Family planning is sen as important, but not the only strategy in combatting the interrelated problem of population growth and development. The relevance and importance of social workers, as members of a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of family planning programmes is emphasised. There is evidence in the study to support the observation that Black African people in particular are reluctant to use family planning methods. Based on this evidence, the basic assumption arrived at is that there is a general unfavourable attitude to family planning in the Taung area. The research design used is exploratory-descriptive. Of the 75 areas in the district, 10 areas were included In the investigation. A stratified random sample was used, with a sample size of 200 respondents. The interview schedule was used to collect data. It was structured and consisted primarily of close-ended questions, and was analysed using the Biomedical Data Programme (B.M.D.P.). The problem is formulated from literature concerned with population growth in the Republic of South Africa as well as Bophuthatswana. The following sub-problems were described: illegitimacy; health and economic problems associated with large families; abortion; malnutrition and malnourishment; and the absence of services of the National Family Planning Programme In the Taung area. Compatibility between social work and family planning is a central concern, with community development as a significant method of intervention. The three important concepts in the study were broadly defined, viz: Overpopulation, family planning and attitude. It was established that: -the use of family planning follows rather than precedes the process of modernisation and rising economic standards; -no family planning programme can be practised universally - because of factors such as culture, need and habit. Attitudinal change is considered based on the basic assumption arrived at. Little has been done on the subject of family planning in south Africa. With regard to the role of social work in family planning, there have been impediments along the following lines: lack of firm tradition; emphasis on treatment rather than on preventive work; a view of family planning asa health measure and to be offered solely in the medical and health services. To be active in this field social workers need formal education and training. Taung: - the area of study is predominantly rural with almost all characteristics of rural areas, those of: Irregular transport services to and from remote areas; corrugated roads; primitive sanitary conditions; poor communication system; absence of electricity in villages; illiteracy and unemployment. On the other hand, development is evident especially in the health, education and welfare fields. The central findings in the study are those arising from resistances to family planning usage - politically; culturally; morally and psychologically. The general conclusions are: The high rate of unemployment is present in the sample and there is financial dependence on partners (men); the importance of social workers in family planning is emphasised; there is a desire to have large numbers of children (children feature prominently in the area and are regarded as an asset in various ways); and lastly, improved education does lead to an increase in motivation to adopt family planning practices. Against the highlighted findings, recommendations were made, viz that: Community development be used as a strategy for change; social workers be involved as team members in family planning - in policy formulation and planning of population programmes at various levels, using different methods of intervention; paramedical aides beused - because of inter alia shortage of qualified manpower and lastly formal education and training to be granted to prospective change agents in family planning delivery programmes. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:rhodes/vital:3277 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Thekisho, Geraldine Nomonde |
| Publisher | Rhodes University, Faculty of Humanities, Social Work |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MSocSc |
| Format | 279 p., pdf |
| Rights | Thekisho, Geraldine Nomonde |
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