South Africa has a high number of unmarried and absentee fathers which includes young unmarried fathers. A number of factors have contributed to this phenomenon. For example, apartheid policies such as the migrant labour system has impacted on family structure. In addition, legislation which did not give any unmarried fathers automatic responsibilities and rights in respect of their children may have contributed towards the rate of absentee fathers. The new Children’s Act, which came into force in 2010 now provides for automatic responsibilities and rights for unmarried fathers who meet certain criteria. Unmarried fathers who have consented to be identified as the father and who have paid maintenance and cultural damages may now automatically acquire parental responsibilities and rights. This has the potential to significantly influence father-child relationships
This research is based on a qualitative research study focussing on young unmarried fathers’ experiences and perceptions of fatherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine fathers in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants had a total of fifteen children, four of whom lived with their fathers and paternal families. Findings indicated that high unemployment, non-payment of maintenance and cultural damages, and disputes with mothers and maternal families impacted significantly on father-child contact. All the participants wished to be more involved with their children and their conception of fatherhood extended beyond being just a provider to more nurturing roles.
Keywords: young unmarried fathers, perceptions of fatherhood, experiences of fatherhood
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Rationale and background
1.2. Problem statement
1.3. Overall purpose of the study
1.4. Objectives of the study
1.5. Key Questions
1.6. Underlying assumptions
1.7. Study location
1.8. Theoretical Framework
1.9. Research Methodology
1.10. Significance of the study
1.11. Dissertation outline
1.12. Definition of concepts
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. IMPACT OF APARTHEID ON PARENTING
2.2. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
2.3. CULTURAL PRACTICES
2.4. CONSTRUCTIONS OF FATHERHOOD
2.5. CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY UNMARRIED FATHERS
2.6. CONCLUSION
3. INTRODUCTION
3.1. RESEARCH PARADIGM
3.2. RESEARCH DESIGN
3.3. SAMPLING PROCEDURE
3.4. DATA COLLECTION
3.5. DATA ANALYSIS
3.6. TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE STUDY
3.7. ETHICAL ISSUES
3.8. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
3.9. CONCLUSION
4. INTRODUCTION
4.1. SHORT PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
4.2. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS
4.3. FATHERS' CURRENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN
4.4. EXPERIENCES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING FATHER-CHILD INVOLVEMENT.
4.5. OWN FATHERHOOD EXPERIENCES AND VIEWS
4.6. Conclusion
5. INTRODUCTION
5.1. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
5.2. MAIN FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4. RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
5.5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of young unmarried fathers (aged 18-29) regarding parenting, specifically within the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality. It investigates how historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors influence their relationships with their children and their ability to fulfill parental roles.
- The impact of historical and political context (apartheid) on family structures and fatherhood.
- Legislative frameworks governing parental rights and responsibilities for unmarried fathers.
- Cultural practices, such as damage payments and lobola, and their effect on father-child involvement.
- The role of masculinity in constructing fatherhood identities and behaviors.
- Socio-economic challenges, primarily unemployment and poverty, as barriers to active fatherhood.
Excerpt from the Book
Masculinity and fatherhood
There is a connection between father, fatherhood and masculinity (Morrell, 2006). Masculinity notions view fathers as authority figures in a family and society (Lesejane, 2006). Fatherhood is determined as the primary identity of masculinity (Salo, 2007). Fatherhood gives men a sense of identity (Mkhize, 2006; Splejdnaes et al., 2011). According to Morell (2007) life attains meaning by the procreation of children to carry the family name. Fatherhood leads to achievement of adult status and positive recognition of making a mark in the world where survival is a doubt (Smith, Krohn et al., 2005). Roles of the father are perceived as authority, leader, primary provider, family protector and role model (Lesejane, 2006); therefore, fatherhood is a building block of masculinity.
According to Ampofo and Boateng (2007), young men exhibit high-risk behaviours despite the knowledge of sexual risks (pregnancy and STDs). They feel the need to conform to male societal prescriptions through early sexual experience (Ampofo and Boateng, 2007). They consider impregnating a girl and being treated for sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) as some masculinity achievements (Ampofo and Boateng, 2007). Lindergger and Maxwell (2007) also find that young men consider many girlfriends and multiple sexual experiences as a way of conforming to masculinity pressures. However, Mchunu (2007) views this behaviour as a reflection of crisis in masculinity. This is because young fathers are unable to meet masculinity standards of breadwinners and heads of families, which undermines their fatherhood rights over their children (Mchunu, 2007). Therefore, due to masculinity pressures, young fathers are forced into leadership and breadwinner roles that many cannot live up to (Ampofo and Boateng, 2007). Mchunu (2007) also found that fathers who are unable to provide for their families feel disempowered and they therefore neglect their children.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research background, problem statement, objectives, location, and the theoretical framework of social constructionism.
2. INTRODUCTION: Provides a comprehensive literature review on the impacts of apartheid, legislative frameworks, cultural practices, and constructions of masculinity on fatherhood.
3. INTRODUCTION: Details the qualitative methodology, including research design, purposive and snowball sampling, semi-structured interviews, and thematic data analysis.
4. INTRODUCTION: Analyzes the research findings, focusing on participant profiles, relationships with children, factors influencing involvement, and individual perceptions of fatherhood.
5. INTRODUCTION: Synthesizes the study's conclusions and provides recommendations for community awareness, social work services, and future research.
Keywords
young unmarried fathers, perceptions of fatherhood, experiences of fatherhood, South Africa, Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality, Children’s Act, social constructionism, masculinity, father-child relationships, unemployment, child maintenance, cultural practices, damage payments, parental responsibilities, qualitative research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research study?
The study focuses on exploring the experiences and perceptions of young unmarried fathers, aged 18 to 29, regarding their roles and involvement in parenting their children in the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality.
Which specific themes are addressed?
The study addresses the impact of apartheid history, legislative frameworks like the Children's Act, cultural practices (e.g., damage payments), social constructions of masculinity, and socio-economic factors such as unemployment.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The primary objective is to understand how young unmarried fathers construct their reality of fatherhood and what factors influence their relationships and involvement with their children.
What scientific methodology was employed?
A qualitative, interpretive approach was used, involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine participants, analyzed through thematic content analysis and guided by social constructionism theory.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a literature review of historical and social contexts, the research methodology, and a detailed analysis of the participants' personal profiles, their actual fatherhood experiences, and their hopes for future relationships with their children.
What are the characterizing keywords?
Key terms include young unmarried fathers, fatherhood perceptions, masculinity, South African legislation (Children's Act), unemployment, poverty, and cultural traditions in the Zulu community.
How does the Children’s Act impact these fathers?
The Act provides mechanisms for unmarried fathers to acquire parental responsibilities and rights, but the participants in this study often lacked knowledge of these legal provisions and how to navigate them.
How do cultural practices influence these men?
Traditions like "damage payments" (inhlawulo) for impregnating a woman outside of marriage significantly impact these men's ability to maintain relationships, as failure to pay can lead to social and familial ostracization.
- Citar trabajo
- Thembelihle Makhanya (Autor), 2016, Young unmarried fathers in the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/421080
