Engagement in parenting programmes

The document examines why parents in South Africa struggle to engage with evidence-based parenting programmes, such as the Sinovuyo Caring Families Programme (SCFP) and the Parent Centre’s Positive Parenting Skills Training (PPST). It identifies low socio-economic status as the primary structural barrier, manifesting as lack of transport funds, hunger, and childcare needs. Personal barriers include poor health, lack of interest, and alcohol abuse, while programmatic barriers involve discomfort with group sharing. Conversely, family buy-in, a sense of commitment, and the support-group nature of the programmes act as facilitators. The brief recommends house-to-house recruitment, the provision of shuttle services, and the integration of programmes into existing services like ECD centres to increase engagement.

• Low socio-economic status is the most significant structural barrier to participation, primarily manifesting as a lack of funds for transport, even when reimbursement is offered.
• Poverty-related stressors, including hunger and the need to plan food for the family, as well as a lack of childcare, further prevent parents from attending sessions.
• Employment challenges, specifically irregular shift work and long hours, make it difficult for parents to commit to fixed programme schedules.
• Personal barriers to engagement include physical and mental health issues, as well as alcohol abuse, which is noted to peak at the start of the month following the receipt of social grants.
• Family support and a personal readiness to change are key facilitators that distinguish high-attending parents from those with low attendance.
• The social and supportive nature of the programmes, including the provision of meals in the SCFP, encourages parents to remain enrolled.
• Effective recruitment requires one-on-one, house-to-house contact rather than written materials or community meetings to ensure parents understand the commitment and benefits.

APA

Wessels, I., Lester, S., & Ward, C. L. (2016). Engagement in parenting programmes. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolicyBrief82.pdf

Chicago

Wessels, Inge, Soraya Lester, and Catherine L Ward. Engagement in parenting programmes. Institute for Security Studies, 2016. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolicyBrief82.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wessels |first1=Inge |last2=Lester |first2=Soraya |last3=Ward |first3=Catherine L |title=Engagement in parenting programmes |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=March 2016 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolicyBrief82.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wessels2016engagement, author = {Wessels, Inge and Lester, Soraya and Ward, Catherine L}, title = {{Engagement in parenting programmes}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolicyBrief82.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }