While teen fatherhood falls outside the scope of traditional norms, values, and expectations, it has become a serious social-health problem in Africa and Kenya in particular. Teen fathers are neglected by educational, social research and interventions, hence lacking in previous and current discourses on pregnancy, birth and childbearing, which has traditionally been viewed as a female affair.
Drawing experiences from Western Kenya in particular Kisii and Vihiga counties, the study sought to understand how teen fathers, and parents’ perceptions and attitudes toward teen fathers influence vulnerability and policy implications in Kenya. The study used mixed research methodology to explore parents and teen fathers’ experiences and perceptions. The study used a questionnaire for data collection from the general population, interviews with parents and selected teen fathers. Data analysis was both qualitative and quantitative. The study found that teenage fathers are unacceptable in the society, deemed ignorant, careless, uncaring, and social deviants. The study revealed that the majority of teen fathers were unable to meet parental obligations due to unemployment, lack of parenting knowledge due to age, and educational obligation as most are still in school.
The study concludes that becoming a teen father is a significant and critical life event manifesting developmental crisis. Teen fathers endure conflict of future role, accepting impending fatherhood and negative society perception towards them. The study recommends that interventions designed should consider incorporating teen fathers as a way of addressing their needs as well as mitigating against future teenage pregnancies. There is also a need to create awareness to families and communities on the need for social acceptance of teen fathers and mould the victims to adopt acceptable behaviour and be responsible in the society.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Statement of the Problem
- Significance of the study
- Research Methodology
- Findings and Discussions
- Age Distribution of Teenagers' Engagement in First Sex
- Knowledge of Existence of Teen Fathers
- Involvement in Pregnancy and Child Care
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to understand the experiences and perceptions of teenage fathers and their parents in Western Kenya, focusing on the vulnerabilities and societal implications of teenage fatherhood. It investigates how societal perceptions, economic limitations, and developmental challenges influence teen fathers' roles and responsibilities.
- Societal perceptions and stigma surrounding teenage fatherhood
- The challenges faced by teenage fathers in fulfilling parental obligations
- The impact of teenage fatherhood on the developmental trajectories of young men
- The need for interventions and support programs tailored to the needs of teenage fathers
- The role of masculinity in shaping teenage fathers' experiences and behaviors
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the study by defining teenage fatherhood within the context of Western Kenya and highlighting the lack of research focusing specifically on the experiences of teen fathers. It explores existing literature on teen parenthood in various global contexts (USA, Europe, South Africa, India, and China), contrasting cultural expectations and societal responses to teenage fathers. The chapter emphasizes the gap in research on teen fathers, their vulnerabilities, and the need for tailored interventions.
Statement of the Problem: This section details the problem of teenage fatherhood in Western Kenya, emphasizing the neglect of teen fathers in existing discourses on pregnancy, birth, and childcare. It highlights the socio-cultural factors contributing to this neglect, including the unmarried status of many teen fathers during conception and birth, and their exclusion from pregnancy, birth, and childrearing processes. The chapter underscores the necessity of understanding societal perceptions of teenage fatherhood and the vulnerabilities associated with it.
Significance of the study: This chapter highlights the gap in research concerning teenage fatherhood and the need for tailored interventions. It emphasizes the limited information available on preventing teenage fatherhood or improving outcomes for young fathers, contrasting this with the considerable attention given to programs targeted at young women. The chapter explains that teenage fathers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, and although consequences might mirror those of teen mothers, interventions often primarily focus on mothers. This section explains the study's aim to understand teen fathers' experiences and perceptions, and how this knowledge will inform the design of appropriate support programs.
Research Methodology: This chapter describes the research design and methodology employed in the study, conducted in Kisii and Vihiga counties in Western Kenya. It outlines the use of a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from questionnaires administered to a sample of the general population and teen fathers with qualitative data gathered from interviews with parents and teen fathers. The chapter details the data analysis techniques used for both quantitative (SPSS) and qualitative (Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis - IPA) data.
Findings and Discussions: This chapter presents the study's findings and discussions, analyzing data related to the age of first sexual engagement among teenage fathers, knowledge of teenage fathers within the community, and their involvement in pregnancy and childcare. The discussion integrates the findings with existing literature, highlighting the complexities of societal perceptions, economic constraints, and the challenges faced by teenage fathers in fulfilling their parental roles. It analyzes the implications of stigmatization and the need for comprehensive support programs.
Keywords
Teen fatherhood, vulnerability, masculinity, societal implications, Western Kenya, adolescent pregnancy, parental roles, social stigma, interventions, support programs.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study on Teenage Fathers in Western Kenya
What is the overall focus of this study?
This study comprehensively examines the experiences and perceptions of teenage fathers and their parents in Western Kenya. It investigates the vulnerabilities and societal implications of teenage fatherhood, exploring how societal perceptions, economic limitations, and developmental challenges influence their roles and responsibilities.
What are the key themes explored in the research?
The study explores several key themes, including societal perceptions and stigma surrounding teenage fatherhood; the challenges faced by teenage fathers in fulfilling parental obligations; the impact of teenage fatherhood on the developmental trajectories of young men; the need for interventions and support programs tailored to the needs of teenage fathers; and the role of masculinity in shaping teenage fathers' experiences and behaviors.
What is the research methodology employed in the study?
The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires administered to a sample of the general population and teenage fathers in Kisii and Vihiga counties in Western Kenya. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews with parents and teenage fathers. Data analysis techniques included SPSS for quantitative data and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) for qualitative data.
What are the main findings and discussion points of the study?
The findings and discussions analyze data related to the age of first sexual engagement among teenage fathers, community knowledge of teenage fathers, and their involvement in pregnancy and childcare. The discussion integrates findings with existing literature, highlighting complexities of societal perceptions, economic constraints, and challenges faced by teenage fathers in fulfilling parental roles. It analyzes the implications of stigmatization and the need for comprehensive support programs.
What is the significance of this study?
The study highlights a critical gap in research concerning teenage fatherhood and the need for tailored interventions. It emphasizes the limited information available on preventing teenage fatherhood or improving outcomes for young fathers, contrasting this with the considerable attention given to programs targeted at young women. The study aims to understand teen fathers' experiences and perceptions to inform the design of appropriate support programs.
What is the problem addressed by this study?
The study addresses the problem of teenage fatherhood in Western Kenya, emphasizing the neglect of teen fathers in existing discourses on pregnancy, birth, and childcare. It highlights socio-cultural factors contributing to this neglect, including the unmarried status of many teen fathers during conception and birth, and their exclusion from pregnancy, birth, and childrearing processes. The study underscores the necessity of understanding societal perceptions of teenage fatherhood and its associated vulnerabilities.
What are the key words associated with this study?
The keywords associated with this study are: Teen fatherhood, vulnerability, masculinity, societal implications, Western Kenya, adolescent pregnancy, parental roles, social stigma, interventions, support programs.
What chapters are included in this study's preview?
This preview includes an introduction, statement of the problem, significance of the study, research methodology, findings and discussions, and keywords. A table of contents is also provided.
- Quote paper
- Dina Were (Author), Peter Gutwa Oino (Author), 2020, Teenage Fatherhood. Social Construction, Vulnerability and Societal Implication in Western Kenya, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/585135
