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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Coping and resilience of children in child-headed households, South Africa.
| Panel |
72. Enhancing resilience in orphans and vulnerable children
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| Paper ID | 341 |
| Author(s) |
Dijk, Diana van
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | The paper deals with coping strategies of ‘children’ living in, mostly extreme poor, child-headed households (CHHs) in Ibayi, Port Elizabeth. The strategies they adopt are highly influenced by ‘generational constructions’. Generational constructions are the social processes through which people are represented, or represent themselves, as ‘children’ or ‘adults’. Children are, because of these constructions, often in a subordinate and dependent position to elderly people. In this study, children challenged these constructions by forming households without adults and having to provide and care for themselves. For example, in order to receive support they emphasise their vulnerability and dependency related to being a child. However, when an adult outsider meddles too much in their household, they stress their independency and ability to take care of themselves. Hence, children can use these constructions to their benefit.
Nonetheless, in most cases these constructions influence coping negatively. As I will show, interventions or support by people outside the household often does not improve children’s own coping, and often children are not even consulted. Furthermore, children are reluctant to seek support from the Department of Social Work or other institutions. The expectation or experience of not being taken seriously, results in many children having a sense of powerlessness and lack of control over their situation. Such a person is not likely to seek support actively or to cope effectively. Therefore, I argue in thus paper, that children’s own coping strategies should be taken into account and children should be consulted about the type of support they need and desire. Children in these households show a remarkable capacity of resilience, however often with a high price for their health and well-being.
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