Parental responsibilities and scrap collection amongst females in the rural former Transkei: Implications on childcare

Abstract

Finding formal employment in South Africa is challenging, especially for those with children who need support for basic needs and education. Many individuals turn to the informal sector, such as waste pickers, as a means to support their children and meet their basic needs and responsibilities as caregivers. This article observes the parental responsibilities of informal workers, specifically scrap collectors in the Eastern Cape. The study employs a qualitative approach, using an exploratory research design, and is grounded in Ubudlelane philosophy as its theoretical framework. A total of 10 female scrap collectors in Mthatha were selected through convenience sampling. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed thematically. The findings reveal that female scrap collectors in Mthatha face significant challenges balancing informal work with family responsibilities, often impacting their children’s development. Children are sometimes involved in scrap collection or left in risky situations, such as guarding scrap along the N2 highway (National Road), because of limited childcare support. These workers strive to meet their children’s needs despite the challenges posed by their precarious employment. Based on these findings, the article recommends that social workers support scrap collectors in fulfilling their parental responsibilities. This could include developing welfare programmes aimed at nurturing and sustaining the well-being of children in these vulnerable families.
Contribution: The study contributes to the critical discourse on gender disparities and the holistic challenges faced by women in the informal waste-picking sector.