The Role of Social Security in Respecting and Protecting the Dignity of Lone Mothers in South Africa: Final Report

Abstract

This chapter provides details about the research methods that were used in the project as well as the principles of ethical research that informed each stage of the project. Details are provided about the focus groups, in-depth interviews, elite interviews, and modules in the South

New knowledge on children and young people: A Synthesis of Evidence from the ESRC-DFID Joint Fund for Poverty Alleviation Research

“…In less vulnerable households, the CSG facilitated recipients' investments in their children's education, and offered the promise of children's material conditions being better than their own. Wright et al (2014a) also found the CSG was enabling dispersal of children among households -for example to access better educational provision in urban areas. Mothers (typically) would claim the grant for their non-co-resident children and remit to an urban relative with whom the child actually lived.…”

“…He'll say: "what kind of mother are you, you can't even give me R1?" [...] Poverty destroys our dignity as mothers' (Wright et al, 2014a).…”

“…McEwan and Woolard's (2012) (undertaken as part of Timaeus' grant) review of literature on the impact of South Africa's CSG indicates it is commonly spent on food and educational supplies. Qualitative research conducted by Wright et al (2014a) (Noble grant) found that, although the grant is appreciated, the amount provided is insufficient to meet children's needs and, given high levels of unemployment, it constitutes an inadequate safety net. Wright et al found young mothers felt torn between buying food with the grant and pressures from their children, who had been told by their teachers they should have certain school supplies since they were grant recipients.…”

“…There is also some evidence that the grant facilitates mothers undertaking paid work (e.g. by allowing mothers to pay for child care) (Eyal and Woolard, 2010;Wright et al, 2014a), although neither grant examined the effects of such work on child poverty levels.…”

“…Concerns as to whether transfers are large enough to meet basic schooling needs are also evident in Noble's grant, which is centrally concerned with the role of social security programmes in enabling lone mothers to live dignified lives. Respondents spoke of the shame they feel when they are unable to provide their children with the things they need for their education (Wright et al, 2014a). When women talked about the impact of receiving the South African CSG on their ability to provide care, there was some evidence that receipt of the grant made it easier to pay fees and for school lunches, which improved children's experience of school.…”