How resilient are adolescent-headed households?
For many, the HIV and AIDS pandemic has wreaked havoc on family life. Yet even in the most difficult circumstances, some families bounce back and function effectively. What enables them to do this? And how can family resilience be improved?
Hershilla Beeka’s research looked at the resilience of four adolescent-headed households in the KwaZakhele area of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In each case, parental responsibility had been assumed by someone aged 18-21 and they were caring for children who were not biologically theirs.
For example, one participant was 20 years old. Her mother had passed away in 1999 at which time she headed up the family with her older sister. This sister died in 2007, and since then she has assumed sole responsibility for two brothers and an orphaned nephew. How was the family functioning and was there anything that could be done to improve things?
Using well-researched models for assessing family resilience, Hershilla looked at a variety of contributing factors including the tangible and intangible resources available to the family, family cohesiveness and adaptability, problem-solving and communication skills and social support. Generally she found that these families were functioning well – the most important factor being the strength they found within the family itself. Assistance they received from EngageHIV partner, Masizakhe Community Project, also contributed significantly.
Hershilla completed her research as part of her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, awarded by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. She made some specific recommendations to Masizakhe which included:
- Running a series of workshops looking at issues such as parenting skills, conflict management, financial planning and problem-solving strategies.
- Providing a consistent adult mentor for adolescent-headed households.
- Encouraging positive memories within the family, e.g. through memory boxes, family rituals and celebrations and gratitude ceremonies.
Over recent years, various models of care have been proposed for the growing number of orphans in communities. Institutional care fails many and is too expensive to be a sustainable solution. This research supports the view that keeping orphaned children in their own homes is a viable alternative when the right care and support is in place.
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