Attitudes related to having children in a generational study in Limpopo, South Africa

Project summary

From a cross-cultural psychological perspective, this project focuses on what characterizes South African women?s and adolescents? views (values) on having children, how these values might influence their fertility behaviour and the relationship with their child, and in turn how health issues like HIV/AIDS relates to this. These are the broad questions to be addressed, and to be explored across three generations from a social change perspective. The data collection in the larger project was completed in 2002, and included data from 1000 people, made up of 600 mothers ? half with toddlers and the other half with adolescent children, the adolescent children themselves (150 boys and 150 girls) and 100 grandmothers. In order to study the issues concerning values of children among the adolescent group in more depth, an additional qualitative data collection implying photo- and diary assisted semi-structural individual interviews and focus groups were carried out during autumn 2005. In addition to get descriptions from the adolescents? daily life and demographic situation, such as family and educational background, questions concerning knowledge, attitudes and behaviour related to reproduction and reproductive health were asked. This included issues like fertility, infertility, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV), contraceptive use, abortion, teenage pregnancy and child upbringing. Also, their relationship with their parents and their future aspirations for family life were discussed.