Lives and Times: Children in South African families
Abstract
This book will focus on the everyday socialization of children in Africa, particularly black children within families in South Africa.There is currently a knowledge gap in understanding childrens lives and their positions within families in South Africa. Further research is needed to examine processes in both family and society that promote child competence and resilience. Why a book on children in families? The family represent a key social unit where children are born. The composition of South African families is a kaleidoscope of nuclear, extended and re-constituted families. The historical overview of families in the South Africa reveal significant changes over the years brought about Colonisation and Apartheid on the traditional family, and modernisation and globalisation. Unlike earlier prediction, intimate-couple families have only emerged in a small section of society. The majority of families are multigenerational, extended and single parent in nature. This book examines the nature of the contemporary South African family where majority of children are born, supported, socialised and protected. More importantly the book examines whether the South African family is in crises, unable to perform its obligations on children, or has it adjusted to the changes and found novel ways to perform its duties. The book will be written in simple language that is devoid of disciplinary embellishment. It will be accessible to the general public and undergraduate students. The book will explore the diverse range of issues which include, but are not limited to the following broad themes:
