Exploring the factors that contribute to shaping the goals, aspirations and resilience of young African females in Kwamashu township, Durban.

Abstract

South Africa is one of the most economically unequal societies in the world. In trying to redress the inequalities in the education system, the South African government introduced community schools as an alternative for the provision of quality education to disadvantaged communities. These schools have become reservoirs of hope in shaping the goals, aspirations and resilience of young black females. This study argues that the manner in which young black females are socialised shapes their career goals and aspirations. Its aim is to explore factors that contribute to shaping the goals, aspirations and resilience of young African females in KwaMashu Township, Durban. These include: family structure, culture, gender, role models and the education system. The study adopted a qualitative research approach. Data were collected through the use of semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups with a number of 15- to 17-year-old black female pupils in grade 11 at Sivananda High School in KwaMashu Township, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Drawing on intersectionality theory, the findings show that the goals, aspirations and resilience of young black females are shaped by an interconnection of several social identities, including race and gender. Young black female pupils cited race, culture and gender as some of the main factors that influenced their career goals and aspirations. Most young black females felt that they were disadvantaged and discriminated against in pursuit of their career choices because of prevalent social stereotypes and cultural beliefs. The study recommends that the media has a huge role to play in reorienting the minds of young black females by showing them successful black women who are experts in a range of occupations, especially those traditionally dominated by men. In particular it notes that the focus on entertainment, the media and music as the main fields in which women can succeed, to the exclusion of other fields of activity, can prevent women from pursuing other careers. Similarly, men should pursue careers which are regarded as feminine, thus helping to deconstruct the idea that certain career goals are for men only and others are for women only.