Communication, indigenous culture and participatory decision making amongst foster adolescents

Abstract

This paper analyses the experiences of adolescents in foster care placement with specific reference to participatory decision making in an indigenous African cultural context in South Africa. The emphasis is on the voices of foster adolescents in an indigenous African cultural context and their experiences of inequality when communicating and expressing opinions. The theoretical framework adopted was Interactional Communication Theory in which individuals interact through the use of symbols to co-create and interpret meaning. This theory incorporates some elements of systems theory with the emphasis on the interrelatedness quality as integral to the communication processes. A qualitative exploratory research study was done with 29 adolescents in foster care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adolescent participants and as well as enriching the data with two focus groups consisting of eight adolescents in each group. Findings indicate a lack of openness of the foster care system in terms of the communication approach, international covenants and legislation that was used. The approach used was not based on interactional practices and perpetuated inequalities amongst adolescents. Also, the socio-cultural context of the foster family played a major inhibiting and determining role for adolescents regarding the level of free and open communication in their placement pertaining to decision making.

Foster Care: Yes or No? The Decision-Making Processes of Social Workers Rendering Foster Care Services

“…Hence, choosing the best foster parent for the child is essential (Zeijlmans, Lopez, Grietens & Knorth, 2018). The participation of foster children in the decision-making processes on their placement is the cornerstone for successful placements (Schiller & de Wet 2018).…”

Indigenous cultural and social work practices creating inequalities among foster care adolescents in decision-making processes

“…An insensitivity or lack of awareness of these contexts will lead to serious levels of frustration and mistrust. Schiller and De Wet (2016) makes the point that respect for children’s origins, including their indigenous cultural contexts, and their ability to express their opinions must be heard and respected in dealing with their needs, aspirations, opinions and wishes. Morrissette et al (2016: 95), in an attempt to develop an aboriginal model of social work, state that there seems to be some confusion about the meaning of culture.…”

“…In addition, the legislative national and international covenants on the rights of the child and democratic decision-making frameworks were also used as, for example, expressed by the South Africa Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005) and the United Nations General Assembly (1989). This approach allows for deep reflection on the data, which produce invaluable insights into the complexities of foster children in situations of decision-making and their well-being (Schiller and De Wet, 2016).…”

“…In a study by Schiller and De Wet (2016), it is suggested that in some social welfare contexts indigenous cultural as well as embedded institutional social work practices contribute towards the perpetuation and creation of inequalities, more so where vulnerable groups are involved, such as in the case of foster care adolescents. This situation impacts negatively on their democratic rights as adolescents in foster care institutions (Morrissette et al, 2010: 92–93; Warming, 2011: 1).…”

“…This includes, for example, their education, health, family and judicial needs. ‘This right is promoted and protected through a dual obligation on all decision-makers to listen to children’s views on issues at hand and give them due consideration’ (Schiller and De Wet, 2016).…”