Academic paper South Africa: The child support grant in Kwazulu-Natal: perceptions and experience inside the household

Source: ELDIS education reporter

The child support grant in Kwazulu-Natal: perceptions and experience inside the household

Authors: Hunter,N.; Adato,M.
Produced by: School of Development Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (2007)

Over recent years the Child Support Grant (CSG) has become the ‘biggest’ of the South African social assistance grants in terms of the numbers of beneficiaries. It is a monthly payment by the South African government of R200, currently available to primary caregivers (PCGs). Much quantitative work on the beneficiaries of the CSG and on some of the impacts of the grant. However, little qualitative work has been undertaken to date. <!–
D(["mb","\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis paper aims to contribute towards these research gaps, from qualitative research conducted in six study areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The authors highlight findings from various sources, but chiefly the perspectives of 24 CSG recipients in six research sites across KwaZulu-Natal. It gives detailed accounts from recipients about how the grant affects their lives and their relationships. Areas covered in this paper include: \u003c/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eprofile of qualitative study households \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eperspectives and attitudes relating to the CSG \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eimpacts on relationships within households and with partners \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eending receipt of the CSG.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe report details various findings and conclusions including that most of the CSG recipients express a desire for an increase in the value of the CSG - most would like it raised from R170 to R250 per month. One third say that they would spend an increased amount on the educational needs of their child or children. Half indicate that an increased amount would be spent on food or groceries for the household. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n \u003cbr\u003e\n Available online at: \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc\u003d36235\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\u003ehttp://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/\u003cWBR\u003e?doc\u003d36235\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n \u003cbr\u003e\n \u003cfont size\u003d\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"#1197bbbbbfa62d20_list\"\u003eBack to list\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n \u003chr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003ca name\u003d\"1197bbbbbfa62d20_8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan all cash transfers reduce inequality?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n \u003cbr\u003e\n Authors: Soares,S.; Zepeda,E.\u003cbr\u003e\n Produced by: UNDP International Poverty Centre (2007)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n \nThis one-page document examines the impact of three Latin American Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes providing cash transfers to poor families, conditioned on children\u0026#39;s school attendance and regular medical checks-ups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile being different in scope and in their targeting mechanisms, Brazil\u0026#39;s Bolsa Fam¡lia, Chile\u0026#39;s Chile Solidario, and Mexico\u0026#39;s Oportunidades all show outstanding targeting results. However, given their larger scope, Bolsa Familia and Oportunidades reduce inequality more significantly than Solidario. ",1]
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This paper aims to contribute towards these research gaps, from qualitative research conducted in six study areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The authors highlight findings from various sources, but chiefly the perspectives of 24 CSG recipients in six research sites across KwaZulu-Natal. It gives detailed accounts from recipients about how the grant affects their lives and their relationships. Areas covered in this paper include:

• profile of qualitative study households
• perspectives and attitudes relating to the CSG
• impacts on relationships within households and with partners
• ending receipt of the CSG.

The report details various findings and conclusions including that most of the CSG recipients express a desire for an increase in the value of the CSG - most would like it raised from R170 to R250 per month. One third say that they would spend an increased amount on the educational needs of their child or children. Half indicate that an increased amount would be spent on food or groceries for the household.

Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=36235