INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

CHAPTER V
EARLY CHILDHOOD (AGES 4-8)
TRAUMATIC PASTS AND FAMILY TIES
While many observers refer to an upbringing in the center, or other similar venues,
as growing up “in the system,” it would be more accurate to say that such a childhood
takes place “between the systems,” with the center filling in the gaps. It is away from the
traditional setting of a family home, however it is also not a rigid and bureaucratic
environment, as government sponsored children’s homes in developing countries
sometimes are. This center, like an increasing number of organizations in South Africa,
exists somewhere in between. 5Cees operates with fluidity and flexibility, two important
characteristics that circumstances demand. One of the earliest cases where this fluidity
and flexibility is seen is in how custody of the children is resolved in a way that gives the
center a legal ability to provide its full services while still valuing the involvement of the
child’s extended family. To understand the significance of this, some background
regarding the children’s impoverished backgrounds is necessary.
Reasons for Placement
One of my research questions was the one about the origin of the children. Who are
they and where do they come from? Three of the center’s four outlined objectives– to
provide therapy and counseling, to provide medical attention, and to provide treatment
for past traumas and abuses, respond directly to events that have occurred before their
placement in the center and some insight regarding what is entailed by past traumas
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