Accessing the 'Right' Kinds of Material and Symbolic Capital: the Role of Cash Transfers in Reducing Adolescent School Absence and Risky Behaviour in South Africa. Issue 8 (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adato, Michelle; Devereux, Stephen; Sabates-Wheeler, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 52:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 1132
• Page End: 1146
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2015.1134776
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

Abstract: This article investigates how well South Africa's Child Support Grant (CSG) responds to the material and psychosocial needs of adolescents, and the resultant effects on schooling and risky behaviour. One driver of schooling decisions is shame related to poverty and the 'social cost' of school, where a premium must often be paid for fashionable clothes or accessories. The other driver relates to symbolic and consumptive capital gained through engaging in sexual exchange relationships. The anticipated impacts from the CSG are partial because of these non-material drivers of adolescent choices. Non-material transmission mechanisms must be better understood and addressed.