Indigenous cultural and institutional practices creating inequalities amongst foster adolescents

Indigenous cultural as well as institutional practices often contribute towards the perpetuation and creation of inequalities more so where vulnerable groups are involved (Warming, 2011:1). This paper explores the experiences... [ view full abstract ]

Indigenous cultural as well as institutional practices often contribute towards the perpetuation and creation of inequalities more so where vulnerable groups are involved (Warming, 2011:1). This paper explores the experiences of foster adolescents regarding participatory decision making and the role of indigenous culture and institutional practices in this regard. The need to develop a participatory climate was expressed by the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 and this position was also endorsed by The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC, 1999). Children have the right to express their views in an attempt to minimise the effect of inequality on their life.
A phenomenological study was done using a combination of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A total 29 participants took part in the research.
The theoretical frameworks adopted in this paper include the developmental social welfare approach (Patel, 2015) augmented by selected elements of the systems theory (Von Bertallanfy; 2003) to assist with the interpretation and analysis of the uniqueness experiences of foster adolescents informed by an array of inter connecting systems including the socio-cultural, institutional practices and system in foster care contexts
Findings of the study indicate that:
Conflict exists between the cultural value system of the foster adolescents, the institutional practices and the developmental approach as enshrined in the South African Constitution with reference to participatory decision making.
Inequalities experienced by foster adolescents manifest in terms of a lack of participation due to embedded institutional system practices as a result of the unequal power relations between the adolescent and the foster care system.