Background Nurturing parents raise children in an engaged, flexible, emotionally expressive and supportive manner, which is associated with positive outcomes for children. While parenting research within the South African context is increasing, there is a lack of focus on nurturance within the parent–child relationship. Thus, this study sought to explore how parents nurture their children in resource‐constrained environments in South Africa. Method A qualitative approach with an exploratory research design was used. Participants were purposively recruited via non‐governmental institutions and key informants in the communities. A sample of 77 semi‐structured interviews was conducted with participants from two rural areas, Calvinia and Lamberts Bay, in South Africa. Results A thematic analysis of the data revealed two themes. The first theme is nurturance approaches, which encapsulate how parents nurture their children physically and emotionally. The second theme focuses on factors contributing to nurturance within the parent–child relationship with regard to parenting practices and external factors. Conclusion Although parents are nurturing children physically and emotionally, parenting capacity needs to be improved in the South African context.

Heroin use in the Western Cape, South Africa, has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, more specifically in the Metro South of the Cape Metropole. The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore and explain the existence of a heroin subculture among people of colour in this particular district. The theoretical framework that underlies this study is subcultural theory. The study used snowball sampling with 15 participants (n = 15). In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed via a thematic analysis. Ethics considerations were adhered to. The findings indicated that the participants constructed a subculture in the Metro South, which allowed them to sustain their heroin usage. Dealers, vendors, and police officials contributed to maintaining this subculture. Recommendations suggest that alternative interventions be properly implemented so that the subculture could be dismantled, and that heroin users receive treatment and be reintegrated into society. Furthermore, social workers need to assume more responsibility in preventing heroin usage in the Metro South and other areas.