Promoting family and human relationships in a traumatised society

Abstract

Post-apartheid South Africa has numerous social and economic challenges to address in order to create a more equal society and to redress its discriminatory past. The migrant labour system was exploitative and had detrimental effects on the African family structure, resulting in women shouldering most of the responsibilities in caring for children and the elderly. While the South African government introduced many policies, programmes and initiatives, after democracy, alongside social assistance, to strengthen and support families, increasing reports of child abuse and neglect, gender-based violence, elder abuse and violence in schools are of growing concern. In order to promote a functional and healthy society, the importance of developing and maintaining healthy family structures should not be overlooked. This should be a priority for all sectors of the society. This chapter explores the role of the family unit in developing healthy human relationships in a traumatised society such as South Africa. Different theories and discourses about family structure and functioning are discussed in relation to the South African context. The role of all sectors within society, especially social work practitioners, in promoting healthy families will be highlighted.