| Summary: | It is a terrible shock to parents when they hear from a medical specialist that
their child is not normal like other children, but retarded. Such parents are
traumatized to the same extent as other parents may be when they lose a
child to death. They go through the same phases of shock, denial, anger and
mourning. A complicating factor is that these parents cannot recover from
this loss as they are reminded of this sorrowful fact on a daily basis and to an
increasingly difficult level.
The aim of this investigation is firstly to determine the effect that severely retarded
child has on the functioning of the family. Secondly, to determine what the needs
of such a family are in respect of pastoral care; and finally, to provide guidelines for
the care of a family with a severely retarded child.
This research is based on the practical-theological model of Zerfass and
comprises:
• A basis-theory that reveals Biblical perspectives that have been researched
about the topic;
• A meta-theoretical assessment based on the literature survey (also in
related fields), as well as empirical research. The empirical study is based
on a number of interviews that were undertaken with families who have
severely retarded children;
• Theory for application that proposes guidelines for the pastoral care of the
family with a severely retarded child in their care.
The research results reveal lacunas that exist in available literature in respect of
pastoral care for families with a severely retarded child. It is also clear from the
results of the empirical research that ignorance about this type of pastoral care is
common.
The conclusion of this research is that these families who have severely retarded
children do not enjoy the benefit of proper pastoral care. This happens because
both pastoral care-givers as well as members of the parish underestimate the
influence that such a child has on the family.
The research results could assist in educating people who are, to a large extent,
ignorant in this regard; as well as equipping pastoral care-givers with guidelines to
care for families with severely retarded children. === Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
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