Promoting healthy human relationships for children in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

When children experience intentional, stable human relationships, nurturing and responsive care from another human being, they feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, which shapes their life trajectory of physical, cognitive and emotional development. The environment in which children grow up has a significant influence on their development, specifically in the early childhood period. For children living in post-apartheid South Africa, there are a range of environmental factors that harm the development of healthy human relationships. Poverty, inequality and unemployment are rife, in addition to pervasive domestic violence, abuse and neglect of children. In turn, the intersections of these factors affect the emotional and mental health of caregivers, which further negatively impact on their ability to provide responsive care. This chapter reviews literature on the importance of healthy human relationships for children in contemporary South Africa, and explores contextual factors that enhance and hinder these bonds. It also looks at practical social development solutions to promote healthy caregiver-child relationships.