The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges experienced by hearing parents when parenting a child with hearing loss. Using a qualitative purposive sampling design, interviews were conducted with 13 parents (9 mothers, 4 fathers) residing in Cape Town, South Africa. Four salient themes emerged, namely: 1) communication is difficult, hard, and frustrating; 2) lack of knowledge and information about hearing loss makes it difficult to parent; 3) little or no support makes for a lonely journey; and 4) support identified by parents for parents. The findings of the study have important implications for collaboration and partnerships between parents and health and family practitioners within South Africa for the design and development of supportive interventions for parents parenting a child with hearing loss.

An estimated 90 per cent of children with a hearing loss are born to hearing parents. Most parents are unprepared for the diagnosis, leaving them shocked, confused, sad and bewildered. This article reports on a study aimed at exploring and describing the experiences of hearing parents regarding their child’s hearing loss. The study was conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. The study applied a qualitative methodology with a phenomenological design. Purposive sampling was implemented and data were collected by means of unstructured in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The main findings of the study indicated that hearing parents experience a myriad of emotions when their child is diagnosed with a hearing loss. This study advocates for various stakeholders in the helping profession to collaborate in the best interest of hearing parents and a child with hearing loss. Furthermore, these findings serve as guidelines for professionals working with these families.

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There is considerable concern about the increasing phenomenon of school gangs on the Cape Flats. This article emanated from a larger research study undertaken over a three-year period (2016)(2017)(2018) by Social Work students from the University of the Western Cape. The objective was to explore and describe the experiences of school learners about youth in gangs, and to develop appropriate interventions. This article presents the findings of the 2016 study. A qualitative approach, utilising an exploratory and descriptive design, was used. Individual interviews were conducted with 400 learners from eight schools on the Cape Flats using purposive and convenient sampling. Six main themes are presented that emerged from thematic data analysis. These include poverty and unemployment, unsafe spaces in townships, substance abuse, the power of gangs, peer pressure and bullies as well as family relationships and family dynamics. Ethics approval to conduct the study was obtained from the research ethics committee of the University.

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