Occupations of women who live and/or work in a rural farming community and who are at risk of having children with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

This collective case study explores the occupations of women who live and/or work in a rural farming community and who are at risk of having children with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Although FAS is incurable, it is completely preventable. This study approached the issue of FAS from an occupational perspective, highlighting historical and current political, economic, social and individual influences on the occupational engagement of study participants. In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with three famale farm workers from a rural farming community in the Western Cape, South Africa. Other methods of data collection included direct observation, field notes and an interview with a key informant and gatekeeper. Four themes emerged from a process of inductive analysis. The findings show that despite progressive human rights and labour law policies in South Africa participants still experience extreme forms of occupational injustice. A central theme of suffering is associated with the harsh lives of these three female farm workers. Although feelings of worthlessness, helplessness and powerlessness persist, a strong sense of hope helps these women to make it through yet another day. Ond day they will rise amidst their circumstances, like fully baked bread. Ineffective coping strategies to deal with the stress of having to survive within this context lead to occupational risk behaviour (e.g. abusing alcohol), and hence occupational imbalance. Strategies for addressing individual coping mechanisms are suggested. Deconstructing disabling environments and building support for women in the home and work environment as a combined strategy for all role players (government, local authorities, farmers and farm workers) should be geared towards facilitating healthful participation in occupation of choice. A broader occupational repertoire should be provided from which farm workers can choose.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Division of Occupational Therapy

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Cloete, Lizahn

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Ramugondo, Elelwani
• London, Leslie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/2969

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/2969