Stirring the hornet's nest: women's citizenship and childcare in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Alfers, Laura Corrigall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002967 , Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: It is a widely acknowledged fact that women’s access to the full rights of citizenship in the liberal state is restricted because of their unequal responsibility for childcare. The South African state, however, despite its theoretical commitment to gender equality, has failed substantially to engage with the issue of childcare and women’s citizenship. This is problematic because in failing to envisage a role for itself in supporting women with their responsibility for childcare, the state has not only neglected its Constitutional commitments to gender equality, but it has also failed to realise the benefits that could potentially accrue to children if women’s access to economic citizenship is not hampered by childcare. Recognising this problem, this thesis attempts to engender some debate as to how the South African state could feasibly correct this failure. In doing so, it uses feminist political theory as a basis and takes a critical view of the two childcare policies that have dominated the debate over women’s citizenship and childcare in Western liberal democracies – socialised care and the neofamilialist model. In concluding it attempts to provide an idea of what feasible, state-based childcare policies could look like in present-day South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Alfers, Laura Corrigall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002967 , Women's rights -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Women -- Political activity , Feminist theory -- Political aspects , Child care -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: It is a widely acknowledged fact that women’s access to the full rights of citizenship in the liberal state is restricted because of their unequal responsibility for childcare. The South African state, however, despite its theoretical commitment to gender equality, has failed substantially to engage with the issue of childcare and women’s citizenship. This is problematic because in failing to envisage a role for itself in supporting women with their responsibility for childcare, the state has not only neglected its Constitutional commitments to gender equality, but it has also failed to realise the benefits that could potentially accrue to children if women’s access to economic citizenship is not hampered by childcare. Recognising this problem, this thesis attempts to engender some debate as to how the South African state could feasibly correct this failure. In doing so, it uses feminist political theory as a basis and takes a critical view of the two childcare policies that have dominated the debate over women’s citizenship and childcare in Western liberal democracies – socialised care and the neofamilialist model. In concluding it attempts to provide an idea of what feasible, state-based childcare policies could look like in present-day South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
A phenomenological investigation of a female leader's perceptions and experience of discrimination in the work place
- Authors: Mabovula, Nonceba
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sex discrimination against women , Sex discrimination in employment , Women -- Employment , Sexual division of labor , Women -- Economic conditions , Sex role in the work environment , Leadership in women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003582 , Sex discrimination against women , Sex discrimination in employment , Women -- Employment , Sexual division of labor , Women -- Economic conditions , Sex role in the work environment , Leadership in women
- Description: Women are now making their mark in virtually every economic sector including traditionally male strongholds of engineering, heavy transport, construction and manufacturing. Probably the most spectacular progress by women has been in the public sector. Many women now have voting rights, follow careers which demand that they work outside of the home, enjoy professional status equal to their male compatriots, occupy top leadership positions in their societies and, furthermore, fulfil their traditional roles of wife and mother. The present study is an attempt to explore a female eader’s perceptions and experience of discrimination in her place of work. The problem has been that although there have been significant changes in women’s increased representation in recent years, it is believed that women who succeed in obtaining top management posts still have to deal with unfair barriers. These need to be more carefully explored and understood. In this study I focus on one female leader’s perceptions and experiences of leadership in an institution of higher learning. The advantages and disadvantages of such a small case study are discussed later. A phenomenological approach was used for obtaining information pertaining to the phenomenon “female leadership”, because phenomenology does offer ways of understanding not offered by other research methodologies. It enables the researcher to enter the lived world of the researched, and understand events and perceptions from a fresh point of view. A semi-structured interview was used to allow the respondent freedom to elaborate on responses in whatever manner she wished. The results obtained indicate that women are in a life-world in which, apart from the general experiences shared with their male counterparts, they are also exposed to many other forms of discrimination. Some of these are subtle, and result from years of socialisation into perceived gender role expectations. I hope that what I have discovered may help to contribute to the small but growing body of literature that seeks to understand women leaders’ experiences, and perhaps in time play a role in enhancing their relative position in education and society at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Mabovula, Nonceba
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sex discrimination against women , Sex discrimination in employment , Women -- Employment , Sexual division of labor , Women -- Economic conditions , Sex role in the work environment , Leadership in women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003582 , Sex discrimination against women , Sex discrimination in employment , Women -- Employment , Sexual division of labor , Women -- Economic conditions , Sex role in the work environment , Leadership in women
- Description: Women are now making their mark in virtually every economic sector including traditionally male strongholds of engineering, heavy transport, construction and manufacturing. Probably the most spectacular progress by women has been in the public sector. Many women now have voting rights, follow careers which demand that they work outside of the home, enjoy professional status equal to their male compatriots, occupy top leadership positions in their societies and, furthermore, fulfil their traditional roles of wife and mother. The present study is an attempt to explore a female eader’s perceptions and experience of discrimination in her place of work. The problem has been that although there have been significant changes in women’s increased representation in recent years, it is believed that women who succeed in obtaining top management posts still have to deal with unfair barriers. These need to be more carefully explored and understood. In this study I focus on one female leader’s perceptions and experiences of leadership in an institution of higher learning. The advantages and disadvantages of such a small case study are discussed later. A phenomenological approach was used for obtaining information pertaining to the phenomenon “female leadership”, because phenomenology does offer ways of understanding not offered by other research methodologies. It enables the researcher to enter the lived world of the researched, and understand events and perceptions from a fresh point of view. A semi-structured interview was used to allow the respondent freedom to elaborate on responses in whatever manner she wished. The results obtained indicate that women are in a life-world in which, apart from the general experiences shared with their male counterparts, they are also exposed to many other forms of discrimination. Some of these are subtle, and result from years of socialisation into perceived gender role expectations. I hope that what I have discovered may help to contribute to the small but growing body of literature that seeks to understand women leaders’ experiences, and perhaps in time play a role in enhancing their relative position in education and society at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Effects of discrimination on promotion of women into top managerial positions in the Eastern Cape
- Yona, Noxolo Nondwe Trewhellah
- Authors: Yona, Noxolo Nondwe Trewhellah
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Sex discrimination against women , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57 , Sex discrimination against women , Businesswomen
- Description: The effects of discrimination on promotion of women into top managerial positions is investigated in this study. In order to investigate these effects, the use of a questionnaire for survey was developed. The questionnaire consisted of thirty-one statements in which a response to each question contributed towards the results of this study. The literature study was used as an eye opener to the South African situation with comparison to other countries. The purpose of the empirical study was to determine the effects of discrimination especially in the Eastern Cape. The answers of the respondents were analysed and interpreted with relation to the findings from the literature study. Concluding remarks are provided which could assist firms in the private sector when faced with the challenge of the advancement of women and the implementation of the Labour policies which endorse the equal opportunity programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Yona, Noxolo Nondwe Trewhellah
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Sex discrimination against women , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57 , Sex discrimination against women , Businesswomen
- Description: The effects of discrimination on promotion of women into top managerial positions is investigated in this study. In order to investigate these effects, the use of a questionnaire for survey was developed. The questionnaire consisted of thirty-one statements in which a response to each question contributed towards the results of this study. The literature study was used as an eye opener to the South African situation with comparison to other countries. The purpose of the empirical study was to determine the effects of discrimination especially in the Eastern Cape. The answers of the respondents were analysed and interpreted with relation to the findings from the literature study. Concluding remarks are provided which could assist firms in the private sector when faced with the challenge of the advancement of women and the implementation of the Labour policies which endorse the equal opportunity programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Dance and sexual politics some implications of the status of women in selected dance forms
- Authors: Poona, Sobhna Keshavelal
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002377 , Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: This thesis explores, from a feminist perspective, some implications on the status of women in selected dance forms, and addresses the perceptions of women as 'inferior' and 'subordinate'. One of the intentions behind the work was, indeed, to challenge prevailing perceptions and create an awareness of sexism, capitalism and patriarchy, especially for the uncritical and uninformed who have become its victims. Part 1 offers an analysis of the premises upon which social, political and economic inequality are founded and consolidated, with specific reference to sexual inequality and sexual prejudice. Utilising a Marxist-feminist and semiotic approach, the machinations of the traditional mass media are linked to negative imaging of the female body in support of the sexist, patriarchal, capitalist male manipulator, who benefits from women's subordinate social status. Part 2 addresses the issue of sexual politics, and the implications for dance research and performance. The researcher offers a descriptive analysis of four specific dance forms, which serve to highlight the socialisation and educational processes that shape our perceptions and instruct our lives. A set of questionnaires was sent to fourteen autonomous dance institutions, including those attached to national performing arts councils. The thesis concludes with a summary of the results of the questionnaires that were distributed amongst female dancers, dance students and choreographers. The researcher questions our culture's preoccupation with the female body image, and posits the urgent need for an assessment of this situation, and an education which will create a better understanding and a more harmonious climate for development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Poona, Sobhna Keshavelal
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002377 , Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: This thesis explores, from a feminist perspective, some implications on the status of women in selected dance forms, and addresses the perceptions of women as 'inferior' and 'subordinate'. One of the intentions behind the work was, indeed, to challenge prevailing perceptions and create an awareness of sexism, capitalism and patriarchy, especially for the uncritical and uninformed who have become its victims. Part 1 offers an analysis of the premises upon which social, political and economic inequality are founded and consolidated, with specific reference to sexual inequality and sexual prejudice. Utilising a Marxist-feminist and semiotic approach, the machinations of the traditional mass media are linked to negative imaging of the female body in support of the sexist, patriarchal, capitalist male manipulator, who benefits from women's subordinate social status. Part 2 addresses the issue of sexual politics, and the implications for dance research and performance. The researcher offers a descriptive analysis of four specific dance forms, which serve to highlight the socialisation and educational processes that shape our perceptions and instruct our lives. A set of questionnaires was sent to fourteen autonomous dance institutions, including those attached to national performing arts councils. The thesis concludes with a summary of the results of the questionnaires that were distributed amongst female dancers, dance students and choreographers. The researcher questions our culture's preoccupation with the female body image, and posits the urgent need for an assessment of this situation, and an education which will create a better understanding and a more harmonious climate for development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
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