Unintended Consequences of the Equality Law: A Case of Male Children in Kwamhlanga Sub-district, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

This paper aims to pertinently cognize unintended consequences of the equality law on male children at disadvantaged schools in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The participants comprised n = 20 (learners, parents, educators and officials), whereas respondents comprised n = 142 (learners, parents, educators and officials). The semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were the most significant mechanisms used to amass data with a concentration on unintended consequences of the equality law. Therefore, this study employed mixed methods research. The findings exposed that unintended consequences of the equality law manifested in unorthodox societal expectations on male children, such as prematurely providing for themselves and family through menial jobs and thus quitting school earlier than anticipated. Although Affirmative Action offered gains such as equal benefits, opportunities and protection of the equality law to women and disabled people, the participants also believed in the accusations that it denied the male children those valuable gains. However, the findings of this study also suggested recommendations: The State should make laws that equally protect all people; the society should equally execute orthodox societal expectations to both male and female children; the Equality Law should hold all people equal before the law and the Government Departments should regulate equality in all employment, and thus include regulation of odd jobs. The State must curb murder, extortion, illegal mining, etcetera.