Childshock: The effects of apartheid on the mental health of South Africa's children

Abstract

Apartheid has negatively affected the lives of all South African children but its effects have been particularly devastating for black children. The consequences of poverty, racism and violence have resulted in psychological disorders, and a generation of maladjusted children may be the result. This article describes the trauma associated with growing up in a divided society and the 'childshock' caused by political unrest and a society in the throes of major social transition. Although the present mental health system is grossly inadequate, hopefully the dismantling of apartheid, social reconstruction and innovative counseling approaches will in time promote the psychological well-being of all South Africa's children.

Examining northern Namibian teachers' impressions of the effects of violence, gender, disability, and poverty on young children's development: School-based countermeasures

“…Kagee and Price (1994) have pointed to apartheid, and its associated political oppression and economic disparity, as contributin g factors in the onset of psychosocia l distress. Hickson and Kriegler (1991) and Kagee and Price (1994) have cited the need for addressing the South African experience of trauma within its cultural context of political oppression. The extent to which their ndings can be generalized to an entire region affected by the RSA's apartheid system is not known, because research in this area to date has not been adequate.…”

“…Hickson and Kriegler (1991) have argued that apartheid speci cally has had a deleterious effect on the normal childhood development of all children in South Africa, and that it has been especially devastating for Black children. They described the con uent consequences of poverty, racism, and violence that have resulted in psychologica l disorders that they term "childshock," and they suggested that a generation of maladjusted children may be the result.…”

Children and Terrorism and commentaries

“…One study describes Apartheid South Africa as "one of the most psychologically-ill societies in the world" (Hickson & Kriegler, 1991, p. 1). These same authors elaborate on this strong declaration by citing significant national problems in the areas of housing, education, and employment; Apartheid South Africa also suffered from high rates of family violence; one of the three highest divorce rates worldwide; high occurrence of tension and depression; politically-related traumas, among other factors (Hickson & Kriegler, 1991). Possible outcomes of children terrorized by Apartheid, according to a general examination of the impact of war and terrorism on children, included loss of loved ones; displacement; living with stressed adults; loss of traditional way of living; lack of educational structure; poor physical environment; being socialized to chronic terror; possibility of physical disfigurement from violence; malnutrition, cognitive and academic impairment; memory impairment seen in victims of trauma; hyperarousal which negatively affects vigilance, irritability, and sleep; and increased likelihood of behavioral and emotional difficulties such as anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and depression (Joshi & O'Donnell, 2003).…”

“…More specifically, we can hypothesize that these youth were placed on a developmental trajectory or pathway leading to psychological problems later in life. Finally, regarding the impacts of Apartheid on children, researchers find that exceedingly high rates of family violence, divorce, coronary disease, incidence of depression and tension, exposure to trauma, and a high pressure socio-political climate combine to help create a generation of maladjusted children; while these factors have affected all South African children, they have been especially pernicious for non-White youth (Hickson & Kriegler, 1991). But there is evidence of resilience as well, of course.…”

Implementing peer support in schools: using a theoretical framework in action research

“…A process of change in almost all areas of the society is taking place since the first democratic elections in the country in 1994. An implication of a community in transition is that young people often grow up in a world without clear guidelines, because traditional structures and meanings are no longer appropriate for them in the present context and there are not new structures and meanings in place yet (Hickson & Kriegler, 1991;Hickson & Mokhobo, 1992). These conditions often contribute to a lack of guidance for young people about appropriate behaviour.…”