INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

the societies they study. A common criticism of ethnography is that it sits on the opposite
end of the spectrum, being extremely vulnerable to hyper-subjectivity. Subjectivity is
inevitable and even in quantitative studies, subjectivity is present in the form of
determining which phenomena will be counted. In my study I sought to counterbalance
subjectivity through the amount of time I spent at the center, the broad range of
experiences I had while staying there, and the multiplicity of voices I allowed to inform
my understanding.
Observations and Interviewing
During the entire three weeks I was in South Africa, I lived on the campus of
5Cees full time. The center has a limited number of apartment flats where it houses
volunteers and other visitors if they have traveled internationally. I stayed in a flat
equipped with a bedroom and kitchen facility, and I paid a small donation in order to help
with operating expenses in exchange for my stay. Living on site allowed me to interact
with the staff and children constantly over the course of three weeks. I shared the
mealtimes with the kids. During peak times of activity, including when the kids would
return from school, I made it a point to be present out in the courtyard. The courtyard
served as the central location of most play and social activities, and by being physically
present in its space during children’s free time, I was able to observe and interact with
most kids at a variety of ages.
A predictable flow and rhythym to life at the center allowed me to anticipate the
presence of children and to position myself towards effective observations and
interactions. Children woke up each day as early as four to make use of limited restroom
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