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Educational Support for Orphaned Children: What Can We Learn from the African Extended Family Structure?
Author(s) -
Motha Kholofelo Charlotte
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
children and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0860
pISSN - 0951-0605
DOI - 10.1111/chso.12232
Subject(s) - poverty , context (archaeology) , psychology , developmental psychology , extended family , qualitative research , sociology , economic growth , geography , social science , archaeology , anthropology , economics
This paper challenges the view that, in the context of the HIV / AIDS pandemic, the African extended family is no longer able to care for and support orphaned children. The paper is based on a qualitative case study conducted in a South African urban area on the lived experiences of orphaned children aged 9–14. Data were collected from the children, their teachers as well as their main caregivers. The study found that, despite the poverty facing the extended family, emotional support, family cohesion and support for learning can serve to meet the educational needs of orphaned children.