A new study indicates that many parents in South Africa find it difficult to initiate conversations with their young children about the apartheid era; most report only discussing the topic when prompted by their children's questions.
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, South African families continue to grapple with how to talk to their children about the intergenerational trauma of the regime.
A joint study conducted by researchers from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the State University, and the University of Missouri in the USA found that many parents do not initiate discussions about apartheid and its psychological impact. Instead, they often wait for children to bring up the topic themselves, or after encountering it in school, the media, or through personal experiences of racism.
The research, published in the Journal of Family Communication, examined how parents from four racial groups classified during apartheid—Black, White, Coloured, and Indian—discuss the country's painful history with their children. Twenty-two parents were surveyed as part of the study.
The Legacy of Apartheid
Researchers noted that the legacy of apartheid continues to shape South African society, and its traumatic consequences can have a long-term impact on mental, physical, and interpersonal well-being across generations, including stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and family dysfunction.
The study identified four main approaches used by parents: reactive, empowering, protective, and acknowledging progress. Parents who adopted a reactive approach generally waited for questions from their children or topics they learned about or experienced. These conversations were often spontaneous and depended on the child's age and level of understanding.
The empowering approach involved educating children about the injustices and violations associated with apartheid to foster empathy, respect for diversity, and commitment to a more equal society. Parents shared family experiences and historical facts in the hope that their children would learn lessons from the past.
Some parents chose a protective approach, limiting the information they provided to shield their children from the emotional pain associated with apartheid. In some cases, parents postponed discussions until they felt their children were mature enough to understand the subject.
Most parents also emphasized acknowledging the progress made, recognizing the continuing influence of apartheid while simultaneously encouraging children to appreciate how far South Africa has come since democratization.
The Role of Family in the Process
Researchers stressed that family conversations play a vital role in shaping the younger generation's understanding of identity, race, justice, and belonging. They suggested that storytelling can help families engage in honest, age-appropriate discussions that acknowledge painful experiences while promoting hope and compassion.
Such conversations can also help young people learn from the mistakes of the past and contribute to a more inclusive future.