Contextualizing Family Communication in South Africa

Abstract

Various family structures and dynamics exist globally, and Family Communication theories should reflect such diversity to be relevant. South Africa provides a rich context for such theoretical developments due to being a global outlier in terms of family diversity. Sharing certain trends with neighboring countries, such as a historical migrant labor system that became entrenched, South Africa’s huge income disparities have specific effects on family life. Within the current general context of decolonizing the narrow academic theoretical landscape and the African philosophy of Ubuntu (where relations and togetherness are highlighted), Family Communication scholars have many opportunities to expand on existing work and also develop new understandings of family communication. In this reflective paper, we discuss how such new theoretical developments will have to be informed by, amongst other things, the cultural expectations within extended family networks and the fluid nature of many family household structures.