A study of child-rearing practices and beliefs among Aambalantu and Aambandja of the Omusati region of Namibia
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Date
2012
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Abstract
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Limited data on child-rearing practices and beliefs exist in Namibia. The data that exist are outdated and covers a limited number of ethnic groups in the country. Because of this paucity of data, little research information on child-rearing practices is available to guide culturally sensitive intervention programmes for young children in many Namibian communities. To begin ameliorating this state of affairs, this study was conducted to investigate child-rearing practices and beliefs amongst the Aambalantu and Aambandja of the Omusati Region of Namibia
Interviews and observations were carried out amongst residents of 7 Aambalantu and 7 Aambandja households that were purposefully selected. Some of the main findings of the study were as follows: In the family context, the majority of households (families) interviewed were found to be of the extended type, very large, many of them headed by the elderly and having very limited income. Furthermore, the households were constrained by the effects of flooding (for example, homesteads and crops were destroyed by water), unemployment and poverty. . Both the Aambalantu and Aambandja believed that pregnant women should obey some taboos to protect themselves and their unborn children from harm. Some of the taboos identified were based on community experiential knowledge related to causes of child delivery, complications during delivery and miscarriage. Findings showed that both the Aambalantu and Aambandja used activities such as storytelling, songs, teaching children names of objects, as well as describing their features, to stimulate language development. The results also revealed that the majority of Aambalantu and Aambandja caregivers used corporal punishment for socializing their children into honest, well- behaved, self -disciplined and obedient people. The Aambalantu and Aambandja were aware of the most important needs of their young children. However, they needed assistance from the community, organizations and the government to successfully meet these needs
These and other findings are discussed in the thesis. In addition, based on the findings, recommendations to inform theory and practice in early childhood development in the Omusati Region are given
Limited data on child-rearing practices and beliefs exist in Namibia. The data that exist are outdated and covers a limited number of ethnic groups in the country. Because of this paucity of data, little research information on child-rearing practices is available to guide culturally sensitive intervention programmes for young children in many Namibian communities. To begin ameliorating this state of affairs, this study was conducted to investigate child-rearing practices and beliefs amongst the Aambalantu and Aambandja of the Omusati Region of Namibia
Interviews and observations were carried out amongst residents of 7 Aambalantu and 7 Aambandja households that were purposefully selected. Some of the main findings of the study were as follows: In the family context, the majority of households (families) interviewed were found to be of the extended type, very large, many of them headed by the elderly and having very limited income. Furthermore, the households were constrained by the effects of flooding (for example, homesteads and crops were destroyed by water), unemployment and poverty. . Both the Aambalantu and Aambandja believed that pregnant women should obey some taboos to protect themselves and their unborn children from harm. Some of the taboos identified were based on community experiential knowledge related to causes of child delivery, complications during delivery and miscarriage. Findings showed that both the Aambalantu and Aambandja used activities such as storytelling, songs, teaching children names of objects, as well as describing their features, to stimulate language development. The results also revealed that the majority of Aambalantu and Aambandja caregivers used corporal punishment for socializing their children into honest, well- behaved, self -disciplined and obedient people. The Aambalantu and Aambandja were aware of the most important needs of their young children. However, they needed assistance from the community, organizations and the government to successfully meet these needs
These and other findings are discussed in the thesis. In addition, based on the findings, recommendations to inform theory and practice in early childhood development in the Omusati Region are given
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education
Keywords
Child rearing Namibia, Early childhooh education Namibia