South African family in crisis: SAIRR
South African families are in crisis according to a new report released by the South African Institute of Race Relations this week. The report, entitled The First Steps to Healing the South African Family, documents the extent of family breakdown in South Africa and the effect this is having on children and the youth.
South Africa has a number of unique circumstances that affect the structure and situation of families. They include its history of apartheid, and particularly the migrant labour system. Poverty greatly affects family life. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has also profoundly affected the health and well-being of family members, and has consequently placed an added burden on to children. Read the article.