Needs and wants of children living in Child Headed Households

Abstract

This research investigates the needs and wants of Child Headed Households in the rural township Elandsdoorn in South Africa. For the investigation of the needs and wants the need hierarchy theory of Maslow has been used. This research also investigates for what reason a particular child became the head of a household. This research is done in order to provide Ndlovu Care Group with information to make new progams and policies for Child Headed Households. For this research sixteen Child Headed Households (n=52), the staff of Ndlovu Care Group, and staff of the Department of Social Development have been interviewed with semi-structured interviews. The results are described per layer of the theory of Maslow. The theory of Maslow is applicable to the situation of Child Headed Households. Finally, this research gives some recommendations for future research and for Ndlovu Care Group.