Promoting children's public participation in South Africa: A social systems control perspective

Abstract

AbstractThe paper explores the theoretical application of the social systems control concept derived from Rotter's social learning theory to the promotion of children's public participation in South Africa. The paper describes social systems control concepts and strategies that educators could use to promote children's public participation at individual and institutional levels. The paper argues that if children were empowered through social systems control training programmes, they would be able to know, seek, and articulate children's public participation. It is envisaged that exposure of children to social systems control concepts in the educational system may result in children working for the promotion of children's rights in all social spheres in South Africa. Directions for future research can focus on the need to promote children's public participation through social systems control training programmes.