Abstract
M.A.
The principle aim of the present study was to uncover the similarities and differences between the National Plan for Family Life (NPFL) and six state-funded programmes of social welfare organisations. A checklist was compiled from the NPFL on the basis of an explorative-descriptive research design with the following categories: "principles", "aim", "objectives", "the identified needs of families", "target groups" and "actions". The content of the said six state-funded programmes of social-welfare organisations were then analysed by means of the said checklist in order to uncover any possible similarities and differences.
The latter checklist was also utilised as the framework for the dissemination of the findings and recommendations arrived at and made on account of the study. Of these thirty-five findings, the following deserve to be mentioned:
• In the category entitled "principles", no correlation could be drawn, as not one of the programmes documented principles as their basis.
• In the category entitled "aim", the concept "marriage and family life" only featured in two programmes, whilst no programme provided for the concept "optimum quality marriage and family life".
• The strengthening of marriage and family life featured in the category entitled "objectives" especially as far as significance attribution, interpersonal relations and resilience to overcome adversity were concerned. Similarities in respect of the concept "strengthening" were only uncovered in one programme, whilst three programmes included facets of marriage and family life such as interpersonal relations. The NPFL takes cognisance of the effect and affect of inhuman and inhibitory circumstances in families' physical environment. Only one programme bore partial resemblance to this, thanks to a formulated objective aimed at the improvement of children's physical environment.
The privileges, rights, responsibilities and joys associated with parenthood and family life are highlighted in the NPFL, whilst children's rights are only referred to in one programme and the honouring of these responsibilities is referred to in another. No programme, however, make any mention of the joys of parenthood and family life. Preparation for the various life phases in order to prevent dysfunctioning is emphasised in the NPFL, whilst none of the other programmes barring one allow for the word "preparation" in their objectives. The facilitation of therapeutic and supporting services, aimed at the handling of dysfunctions in family life, is emphasised in the NPFL; an aspect which all six programmes share.
• The following sub-categories feature in the category entitled 9dentified needs" of the checklist: "marital relations", "family relations", "parent/child relations", "individual factors", "needs relating to the interface between family and community" and "value orientations". With the exception of the interface between family and community, as well as value orientations, a similarity was uncovered between all these sub-categories.
• Strong similarities were found between the categories entitled "target groups" and "actions", as contained in the checklist of the NPFL and the six programmes.