'SA families are in crisis'

Families are "in crisis" and their breakdown partly explains the "multiplicity of social ills" this country is facing, from school violence to the rape of children and grandmothers.

This is the verdict of several experts, who have warned that the disintegration of families must be countered urgently.

When a family is in crisis, children often do not get the guidance, transfer of values and socialisation they need. This, the experts say, can lead to anti-social behaviour and delinquency, and contributes to the culture of violence.

Some experts have maintained that, instead of leading by example, leaders undermine efforts with their attitudes and how they conduct their family lives.

"Our politicians and business leaders rarely give the kind of role modelling that our young people need," national coordinator of Childline Joan van Niekerk said.

The Department of Social Development's white paper on families says that families are "under threat".

Moral collapse, the paper said, often precedes or accompanies a decline in the quality of life.

The degeneration of family life is reflected in social ills such as indiscipline, a high crime rate, school vandalism and corruption.

The paper's findings are similar to those of a series of research reports compiled by the SA Institute of Race Relations.

The reports highlight the unique situation of South African families because of the country's apartheid history, migration for work, the high number of children not born into traditional nuclear families and the stressful life of parents.

The evidence is that living in a stable family has a positive effect on a child's future but research has found that living with both parents is a "privilege" enjoyed by less than 40% of children.

Over 90000 children live in child-headed households, 40% in single-parent households and 58% of all births are to unmarried mothers.

It is increasingly common for fathers not to be involved in raising their children and there is a perception that this is acceptable.

A 17-year-old boy appeared in court last month on suspicion of raping a four-year-old . He was also accused of raping a 72-year-old grandmother two years ago.

Recently a six-week-old baby was raped at her home, allegedly by her 24-year-old uncle.

Outrages such as these are becoming increasingly common.

Many children witness violence in their homes, schools and communities, which contributes to the normalisation of violence.

And experts have warned that dysfunction in families is often passed along the generations.

"What children experience first-hand makes them into the adults they become," said Pam Gillingham, director of the Family Life Centre, a non-government organisation.

"If damaged individuals form their own family, it becomes a repetitive cycle."