| dc.description.abstract | A child’s independent mobility is essential to their social, emotional physical, and cognitive
development and provides children the opportunity to explore and experience their environment.
The freedom of free movement and security from all forms of harm is necessary for achieving
the capability of bodily integrity which is one of the essential capabilities necessary for well‐being.
Despite this, research on child independent mobility in Africa remains limited. Hence, this paper
focuses on parents’ perspectives on children’s independent mobility in rural towns in South Africa
to understand the factors that enhance or impede children’s independent mobility. This is essential
in suggesting guidelines and recommendations to promote the independent mobility of children in
South Africa. A qualitative methodology was used as the research approach to guide the collection
and analysis of the data. Data were collected from a sample of parents in the community and thematically
analysed in ATLAS.ti. From this study, it can be noted that parents were not comfortable
with the independent movement of their children due to the issues of safety around the community.
This led to the restricted movement of children, supervised movements, accompaniment of children
to school, and organising transport to ferry children to and from school. This study, therefore, calls
for the involvement of stakeholders from various levels to develop and implement strategies to
promote safe and child‐friendly environments in the community. This is essential in enhancing and
restoring a child’s independent mobility. | en_US |
