Browsing by Author "Burger, Jessica"

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    Social welfare services available to birth mothers involved in recurrent statutory child removal
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Burger, Jessica; Cornelissen-Nordien, T.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recurrent child removal among birth mothers has become an increasing issue globally with approximately one in every four mothers experiencing the removal of subsequent children within seven years of the removal of their first child. Additionally, many birth mothers facing child removals often have underlying socio-economic challenges, such as poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness. This distressing experience of child removal, combined with these challenges, often propels mothers toward harmful coping mechanisms, leading to additional pregnancies in a bid to replace removed children. These subsequent pregnancies often result in further removals. However, there is a significant gap in services that focus on the specific needs of birth mothers both before and after child removal. Despite the profound implications of recurrent child removal, there is limited research in this field, especially in the South African context. This study aims to address this gap, shedding light on recurrent child removal in South Africa and understanding the intricate web of factors causing repeated removals. Existing research on recurrent child removals is limited, especially within the South African context. Nevertheless, the few available studies suggest it's a pressing concern with many mothers repeatedly returning for care proceedings. This research study endeavours to provide a deeper understanding of the recurrent child removal phenomenon in South Africa, elucidating the factors contributing to repeated removals and the detrimental cycle ensnaring mothers and their children. The study was qualitative in nature and made use of semi-structured interviews with use of open- and closed questions. Twenty participants took part in the research study and the results demonstrated the need for the provision of specialised services for birth mothers by the government and social welfare service organisations to respond to the contributing factors resulting in recurrent child removal among birth mothers.