Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #134 - Mental Health | ||||
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Session: 39.3: Mental Health (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 16.30-18.30 in Teatre Chaired by Sue Gibbons, Jordi Blanch Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Tawanda Makusha - Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa |
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| Additional Authors: Lic Juan Sotelo, Lic Daniel Palacio, Lic Fernando D`Elio, Lic Luciana Betti, Dr Silvana Weller, Lic Julia Recchi, Dr Carlos Falistocco, | ||||
| Aim: Literature on South African families' roles in supporting children in the context of HIV and AIDS is filled with negative perceptions about male involvement. Yet children who grow up in households with men are likely to be better off compared to those in households without men, particularly when families are affected by HIV and AIDS. This paper explores men's support of children aged 9-10 years in the context of HIV and AIDS in rural KwaZulu-Natal, as reported by children, women and men. | ||||
| Method / Issue: This qualitative study was situated in KwaZulu-Natal within a larger Human Sciences Research Council project on child and family well-being in the context of HIV and AIDS and poverty (called SIZE). From 24 communities enrolled in SIZE, each comprising up to 3000 households, one rural community with 76 eligible households was selected to take part in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty focal children aged 9-10 years, twenty female caregivers and sixteen fathers/father-figures nominated by the children in twenty randomly selected households. Detailed measures of socio-demographic factors and men's involvement - availability, responsibility and engagement - in a child's life were thematically analysed in household sets using constant comparative analysis. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Men are positively involved in children's lives, providing support within immediate and extended families in response to the various impacts of HIV and AIDS. Men not only provide economic support, but also provide social and emotional support to their biological children, those of their partners and children in their extended families. Data from children, women and men highlight that, largely due to HIV and AIDS and poverty, men are more involved in the care and support for children than before. | ||||
| Discussion: New patterns of men's support to children are emerging in response to the impacts of HIV and AIDS in families. However, men's positive roles and barriers to supporting children in the contexts of HIV and AIDS need to be acknowledged and appreciated so as to better their support for children. | ||||
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