Legislative policies and culture on parenting practices: Improving the parent-child relationship in South Africa
Abstract
Parent-child relationships are often described as unique and enduring bonds that take place between a caregiver/parent and
their child. Several South African legislative policy documents have been implemented to guide service delivery to families
and to strengthen the parent-child relationship in families. This paper aims to critically examine the current frameworks and
explore what is required in South Africa in order to improve the parent-child relationship and overall child developmental
outcomes. Utilising an ecological perspective, aspects identified as beneficial towards improving the parent-child relationship
in South Africa are discussed on a micro-, meso- and macro-level. Cultural influences are considered, and recommendations
are provided in order to improve the parent-child relationship in a South African context.