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Nostalgia as Pedagogical Practice: Democratic Education in Rural South Africa

Nostalgia as Pedagogical Practice: Democratic Education in Rural South Africa Since 1994, South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has focused on curricular changes that reflect the post-apartheid transformation to democracy. Innovations in the classroom, such as a course on “Life Orientation” that trains future citizens, rely upon liberal democratic theory and emphasize specific forms of civic engagement. At the same time, many South Africans have lost hope in democratic transformation, instead fostering disappointment with increasing wealth inequality and liberal legislation. In the rural Eastern Cape, this is expressed as nostalgia for elements of apartheid seen as more secure and allowing for greater cultural autonomy. Teachers in particular malign a government that has legalized gay marriage and abortion while banning corporal punishment, citing these examples as evidence of the erosion of local forms of social reproduction and effective pedagogy. This paper shows how longings for the past can be viewed through the lens of pedagogical practice, suggesting that nostalgia for apartheid forms an integral part of educational experiences for rural youth. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Applied Youth Studies Springer Journals

Nostalgia as Pedagogical Practice: Democratic Education in Rural South Africa

Reed, Amber R.
Journal of Applied Youth Studies , Volume 4 (1) – Apr 21, 2021
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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
ISSN
2204-9193
eISSN
2204-9207
DOI
10.1007/s43151-021-00039-3
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Since 1994, South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has focused on curricular changes that reflect the post-apartheid transformation to democracy. Innovations in the classroom, such as a course on “Life Orientation” that trains future citizens, rely upon liberal democratic theory and emphasize specific forms of civic engagement. At the same time, many South Africans have lost hope in democratic transformation, instead fostering disappointment with increasing wealth inequality and liberal legislation. In the rural Eastern Cape, this is expressed as nostalgia for elements of apartheid seen as more secure and allowing for greater cultural autonomy. Teachers in particular malign a government that has legalized gay marriage and abortion while banning corporal punishment, citing these examples as evidence of the erosion of local forms of social reproduction and effective pedagogy. This paper shows how longings for the past can be viewed through the lens of pedagogical practice, suggesting that nostalgia for apartheid forms an integral part of educational experiences for rural youth.

Journal

Journal of Applied Youth Studies – Springer Journals

Published: Apr 21, 2021

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