An exploration of young South African Indian women’s lived experiences of the intergenerational transmission of trauma in the post-Apartheid context in Johannesburg

Abstract

South African Indians endured a unique history related to the historical trauma of slavery and displacement. However, there is still a paucity of trauma related research conducted amongst individuals of Indian descent. In an attempt to address this gap, the current research focuses on the lived experiences of intergenerational transmission of trauma on young South African Indian women. The aim of this study was to capture and illuminate the perceived, rich and subjective lived experiences of young South African Indian women, with an emphasis on highlighting how their experiences of intergenerational trauma may influence their identities today. Historical trauma theory was the primary lens through which the intergenerationally embedded lived experiences of Indian women were interpreted. A total of five participants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews to gain rich and detailed information of their experiential reality. The data gathered was analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis. This research study recognises the unique challenges faced by South African Indian women in integrating their different ‘selves’ within the various spaces they occupy. Through the findings, participants reflected on their lived experiences, emphasising how rigid mindsets and unique fears were cultivated, through the processes of their parents’ and grandparents’ collective traumas. Participants further highlighted the role of culture and parenting styles in their own lives, which can be understood as significant mechanisms through which certain values and collective traumas were transmitted to them. Furthermore, they highlighted how these all came to impact on their own identities, elaborating on their struggles between their ‘individual’ and ‘collective’ selves, associated shame and guilt and perfectionism. Intergenerational trauma can be understood as having a significant effect, affecting South African Indian women’s identities and resultant relationship choices, mental models and career paths chosen.