Views of parents in the Johannesburg Metro (Region 11) regarding reproductive health issues emanating from the Children's Act No 38 of 2005 as amended in 2008.
Date
2010-06-24T09:49:31Z
Authors
Mpumelelo, Ncube E.
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Abstract
The study took as its point of departure the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005 that emanated
from the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act
108 of 1996). This Act has as its primary aims, to promote the preservation and
strengthening of families and to give effect to the rights of children as enshrined in the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including: protection of children from
maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation and the fact that the best interest of a child are
of paramount importance in every matter concerning children. It was anticipated that the
areas of the Children’s Act with its emphasis on the rights of children would empower
them in relation to their protection and development in that particular context. When the
Act was introduced, it evoked mixed reactions with certain segments of society
applauding the government for its efforts, and others condemning the government’s
approach towards reproductive health issues affecting children. The primary aim of the
research project was to explore the views of a group of parents in the Johannesburg Metro
Region 11 regarding reproductive health care as embedded in the Children’s Act. The
study took the form of a small-scale, mixed methods, descriptive, cross-sectional survey
research design as it sought to elicit participants’ views on those specific clauses in the
Act. In addressing the aims and objectives of the study, interview schedules were
administered to 35 participants on an individual, face-to-face basis. Participants were
adults drawn from Johannesburg Metro Region 11 and the data collected was analysed
using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The main findings that emerged
from the study were that, participants did not participate in the process leading up to the
promulgation of the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005. Consequently, participants had little
knowledge about the Act and did not have any knowledge about its objectives. The fact
that participants did not support certain clauses has implications for amendment of the Act
with reference to the clauses on reproductive health care.
Description
Keywords
Reproductive health care, Contraceptives, Consent, Children's Act