Attitudes to work and social security in South Africa

This paper presents findings from a module in the HSRC’s 2006 South African Social Attitudes Survey that was designed by the Centre for the Analysis of South African Social Policy at the University of Oxford. Respondents were asked for their views on issues relating to the importance of work and the relationship between social grants and employment. The findings demonstrate a strong attachment to the labour market among the unemployed, support for more financial assistance for poor people including those who are unable to find work, and no evidence that social grants in South Africa foster a ‘dependency culture’.

HSRC Press

Product Information

Format:

280mm x 210mm (Soft Cover)

Pages:

ISBN-13:

978-07969-2219-9

Publish Year:

2008

Rights:

World Rights

List of tables and figures
Acknowledgements
Acronyms

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Findings

The importance of work
Seeking employment
What happens if you lose your job?
Grants for unemployed people
Support for the state’s role in income maintenance/comprehensive social security
Social grants as a government priority
Are social grants enough to live on?
Deserving or undeserving poor? A culture of welfare dependency?
Relationship between work and grants
Lone parents

4. Conclusion

Contributors

References

Michael Noble is Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for the Analysis of South African Social Policy (CASASP) in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Oxford, England.

Phakama Ntshongwana is Research Officer at CASASP, within the Department of Social Policy and Social Work, at the University of Oxford, England.

Rebecca Surender is University Lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Oxford, England.

Please login to access download links.