In contemporary multicultural societies, health is emerging as a fundamental right alongside
education and welfare: a frame of reference endorsed by the Government of National Unity
in South Africa. Health workers are confronting issues far beyond the more traditional
modes of health education. The initial thrust of this research was to investigate the most
relevant social, health and education knowledge bases and issues relative to health education
in cross cultural encounters in order to formulate universal guidelines applicable to the
national situation. Differences inherent in allopathic and traditional health systems are
explored in historical time, in conjunction with concepts of social change, communality in
diversity and the co-existence of multiple realities. An understanding of common
denominators across all human and group experience emerges and, with it, insight into
problems that occur when universalistic conceptions of human behaviour are linked to
communicocentric hegemony. The parameters within which cross cultural health education are viewed are extended through
an analytical, empirical evaluation of the andragogic consequences of a broader conceptualisation
of culture and the patterned relationships existing between elements within society.
The ontic fact that similar variables may have widely different meanings and be differently
construed by people whose life experiences differ is affirmed. Culture shock becomes a
potential personal reality for all engaged in cross cultural encounters. Radical reflection on human nature and the eidos of man constitutes the foundation upon
which the aims and various theories of health education are systematically and progressively
evaluated. Evidence surfaces that the original intent of the research was rooted in the
Western medical tendency towards standardisation, specialisation and the creation of
scientifically validated routines for professional practice and that gaps exist between the
theory and practice of health education and the everyday experiences of people. On the basis
of scientifically based insights, guidelines have been formulated to narrow the divide between
the factual, linearly based procedural aspects of health education and the human experience
of learning. The guidelines embody the notion that the health educator's role in cross
cultural encounters is one of facilitating meaningful, appropriate and informed choices on the
part of adult learners. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Philosophy of Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/17936 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Arthur, Mavis Lorraine |
| Contributors | Reeler, Grace, 1930- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xvii, 474 leaves) |
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