'Beyond their age': coping of children and young people in child-headed households in South Africa

The study concentrates on the capabilities of children and young people to cope in child-headed households in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In contrast to the dominant view of these children as vulnerable and in need of protection and support by family and community members, this study focuses on the coping strategies of these youngsters and their access to support and its quality. Moreover, it addresses the problematic of conceptualizing child-headed households in the South African context. This new type of information provides us with valuable insights on how such households could be supported in a more effective way.