Perspectives and experiences of young mothers who are recipients of the child support grant (CSG): a case study in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

Since the introduction of the child support grant there have been a number of studies done on the social and economic impact of the grant. There has been much concern expressed about the misuse of the child support grant. In South Africa the child support grant is identified as the social security programme for people living in poverty. Studies globally has shown the positive impact of the social security programmes, particularly for less privileged sectors of societies. This study seeks to understand experiences of young mothers receiving the child support grant. Drawing on the experiences of 15 young mothers aged 18 to 24 years old, this study investigates the perspectives and experiences of young mothers receiving the child support grant. The study was conducted among a sample of young mothers with two or more children in a rural area in KwaZulu Natal. Applying the qualitative approach in the form of open-ended interviews, the study aimed to investigate the use of the child support grant. The focus of the study was mainly to understand the use of the child support grant by young mothers with more than one child. The study further examines the impact of the child support grant on the schooling and health of children with siblings. The study also investigated the factors that contribute to having more than one child. The study found that the child support grant is used mostly on school expenses and that the grant is not enough to meet all the expenses of children. The study found that young mothers with more than one child experience challenges with raising their children, such as lack of financial, emotional and physical support. The interviews with young mothers revealed that such challenges limit them from seeking employment, furthering their studies and progressing in life. The study found no link between having more than one child and the child support grant. The findings from the young mothers revealed a number of factors including the lack of contraceptive use, the lack of education and health facilities are some of the causes of early pregnancy and of having more than one child. The study recommended the integration of the sexual health education into the school syllabus, the promotion of friendly service at health facilities and the introduction of a strategy to monitor the use of the child support grant.