Contents:
1. Social Transformation and Child Development in South Africa 2. A Brief History of Institutional Racism in South Africa 3. Urban Poverty and Living Standards 4. The Decline of Political Violence 5. Rising Family and Community Violence 6. Physical Growth and Social Development 7. Self Regulation of Attention, Behavior, and Emotions 8. Urban Households and Family Relationships 9. Family Influences on Socioemotional Development 10. Poverty and Child Development 11. The Impact of Violence on Children 12. Comparing the social development of South African, Ugandan, and African American Children 13. Between Hope and Peril: Adaptive Families, Resilient Children 14. Addressing the Needs of Children

There is a gap between the hope for improved social conditions in post-apartheid South Africa and the grim reality of black life there is especially striking for South African children who face serious threats to their health and development as a consequence of poverty, racism, violence, and residual social inequality. Mandela's Children presents the contrasting conditions of "hope and peril" that characterize life in South African families, schools, and communities. Using empirical data and qualitative case studies, the authors analyze and discuss research on children's behavioral, emotional, and academic development and how they are influenced by community violence, household poverty and family functioning. This discussion is balanced by one that considers the competence, health and resilience of South African children.