Abstract
D.Litt.et Phil. (Social Work)
The need for this study arose from the researcher's work with
regard to marriage and family life, as well as from her need to
understand the specific problems that racially mixed couples have
to cope with in the South African context, in this day and age. Further motivation for the researcher was the fact that she has a
specific interest in the history of South Africa, especially political
history. The two spheres of interest could be successfully combined in this study. In reading on the subject, it became clear to the researcher that
this topic lends itself to qualitative methodology, which also
appeals to the researcher's mode of thinking and working. The
grounded theory approach was new and fresh in the context of Social
Work and, as such a challenge to the researcher. In addition
to contributing to the Social Work profession, this study could
also contribute to the development of research methodology in the
Social Work discipline.
The goals for the study were as follows: The overall aim formulated was to determine the feelings, experiences and needs of racially mixed couples in the South African context, by utilizing the grounded theory approach.