A framework of Afrocentric hope: Rural South African children's conceptualizations of hope

There is a growing need to explore and understand indigenous knowledge and subjective experiences around hope from children raised in rural African communities. This engagement sought to address the question: What are rural South African primary school children's conceptualizations of hope? A v...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of community psychology Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 502 - 514
Main Author Cherrington, Avivit M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2018
Subjects
After care
Child psychology
Children
Emotions
Rural communities
Rural sociology
Worldview
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN0090-4392
1520-6629
DOI10.1002/jcop.21956

Cover

More Information
Summary:There is a growing need to explore and understand indigenous knowledge and subjective experiences around hope from children raised in rural African communities. This engagement sought to address the question: What are rural South African primary school children's conceptualizations of hope? A visual participatory methodology (using collage‐making, drawing, Mmogo method, and photovoice) enabled an exploration of hope with 12 children (9‐13 years) attending an aftercare center in rural QwaQwa region of South Africa. Using evidence generated from the study, and drawing on Scioli's theory of integrated hope, this article posits a framework of Afrocentric hope that develops along four interdependent and interrelated levels: contextual, personal, relational, and collective. These interactions are mediated by the spiritual/cultural worldview dimension. Understanding rural South African children's perspectives of hope contributes toward engagements aimed at nurturing, shaping, and strengthening hope in collective‐oriented communities.
Bibliography:This work is based on research supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa (Grant UID number 78783). The primary researcher acknowledges that opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication generated by the NRF‐supported research are those of the author, and that the NRF accepts no liability whatsoever in this regard.
Gratitude is extended to the board members and staff of St. Kizito, as well as the Office of Batlokoa Traditional Council, without whose guidance and support this hope journey would not have happened. I also thank Prof Naydene De Lange for her critical review of this article and ongoing mentorship.
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
ISSN:0090-4392
1520-6629
DOI:10.1002/jcop.21956