ABSTRACT The historical review of South African families reveals that the family has undergone significant transformations, resulting in a mosaic of family formations that have had an impact on family functions. Notwithstanding the importance of the family being one of the fundamental social units, however, there is limited data on how these families function in South Africa. This article analyses the change in family structures and community members’ perspectives about how these structures and living arrangements of members contribute to family functioning and wellbeing of members, with a specific focus on Mpumalanga, South Africa. Literature searches, quantitative analyses of the 2002 and 2009 General Household Survey, and qualitative analysis obtained through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used. The results confirmed that there is a disaggregation of families with young adults being heads of smaller families, while ageing parents are in charge of large multi-generational families. The role of the extended family has been diminished, and new forms of support such as churches and neighbours’ networks have become more important. The critical role of inter-generational care was confirmed and also the disjuncture between generations attributed to erosion of family norms and values. The results of the study emphasised the importance of attending to a simultaneous and comprehensive family policy that addresses psychosocial and material support, when assessing family wellbeing.

中文翻译：

---

变化中的南非家庭：成员的结构、功能和福利

摘要 南非家庭的历史回顾表明，家庭经历了重大转变，形成了一系列对家庭功能产生影响的家庭结构。尽管家庭作为基本社会单位之一很重要，但关于这些家庭在南非如何运作的数据有限。本文分析了家庭结构的变化和社区成员对这些结构和成员的生活安排如何促进家庭功能和成员福祉的看法，特别关注南非的姆普马兰加。使用了文献检索、2002 年和 2009 年一般住户调查的定量分析以及通过焦点小组讨论和深入访谈获得的定性分析。结果证实，有一个家庭分解，年轻人是小家庭的负责人，而年迈的父母负责多代人的大家庭。大家庭的作用已经减弱，而诸如教堂和邻居网络等新形式的支持变得更加重要。代际照料的关键作用以及由于家庭规范和价值观受到侵蚀而导致的代际分离也得到了证实。研究结果强调了在评估家庭福祉时，同时制定兼顾社会心理和物质支持的综合家庭政策的重要性。大家庭的作用已经减弱，而诸如教堂和邻居网络等新形式的支持变得更加重要。代际照料的关键作用以及由于家庭规范和价值观受到侵蚀而导致的代际分离也得到了证实。研究结果强调了在评估家庭福祉时，同时制定兼顾社会心理和物质支持的综合家庭政策的重要性。大家庭的作用已经减弱，而诸如教堂和邻居网络等新形式的支持变得更加重要。代际照料的关键作用以及由于家庭规范和价值观受到侵蚀而导致的代际分离也得到了证实。研究结果强调了在评估家庭福祉时，同时制定兼顾社会心理和物质支持的综合家庭政策的重要性。