3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item An exploration of young South African fathers: Their(2019) Poonsammy, CarissaCurrent research on fatherhood in South Africa highlighted a shift in the perceptions of the fathering role entailing an increase in emotional involvement with their children. In addition, existing research on fatherhood indicated ways in which the fathers’ experience of emotional support systems influence their fathering roles, in terms of paternal involvement. This research explores young fathers’ perceptions of the importance their emotional involvement with their children. In addition, it explores young fathers’ experience of emotional support systems. This further highlight how such support influences participants’ perceptions of the importance of the father’s emotional involvement with his child. The sample for this study consisted of four young fathers between the ages of 18 to 22 years old. With the use of semistructured interviews as the method of data collection, interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. This study used a social constructionist approach as its theoretical framework. The findings of this study suggest that these young fathers perceived the importance of the father’s emotional involvement and the formation of the bond between father and child as the personal growth that they experienced. Both types of growth resulted in emotional rewards for participants. In addition, the young fathers’ constructions of a ‘good father’ and their constructed understanding of fatherhood as a form of ‘ownership’, accompanied their strong sense of duty to fulfil these roles. This involved being emotionally invested in their child’s lives. For these young fathers their emotional support systems consisted of friends, family members, the mother of their child and the mother of their child’s family. This emotional support was in the form of advice and behaviour. This behaviour consisted of their behaviour toward the fathers, such as… In addition, it also included their behaviours as role models, for example these fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives were actively learnt through the guidance of their support systems. It was found that such support assisted the transition into fatherhood and provided these young fathers with a sense of reassurance of their roles and duties, prompting their emotional involvement with their children.Item Young fathers in South Africa: an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic determinants(2019) Makamu, TlangelaniBackground: Young fatherhood has been observed to occur in high, middle and low income countries and contribute to the global problem of early parenting. Young fatherhood does not only affect the individual, child or partner but also the different spheres in society at large. Research has shown that young fathers also experience negative social and health outcomes resulting from early parenting. These negative consequences are but not limited to being an absent father, school drop-out or poor school performance, increased risks of contracting HIV/AIDS and STIs, and high unemployment. Objectives: The first objective of this study was to identify the levels of young fathers across the select demographic and socioeconomic factors in South Africa. Lastly, to examine the selected demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with young fatherhood in South Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that analysed secondary data from the South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM) conducted in 2008 and 2012. The study had a weighted sample size of 365, 845 young fathers and a study population of 4,474,345 young males aged 15-24. The analyses approach was in two fold; bivariate and multivariate analysis. The bivariate analyses addressed the first objective using chi-square cross tabulation. The last objective was analysed using binary logistic regression for the multivariate analysis. Results: The proportion of young fathers in South Africa varied across the nine (9) provinces, with a majority residing in the Western Cape (20%) and Gauteng (18%). The percentage of young fathers by place of residence was high in urban areas (75%) compared to 25% in rural areas. The highest proportion of young fathers (52%) were unemployed while only 12% were still at school and 36% were employed. Controlling for other characteristics, the unadjusted regression analysis on employment status showed that young males who were still at school are more likely to become a young father than young males who were unemployed. While young males who are employed were less likely to be a young father when compared to young males who were unemployed. The unadjusted logistic regression found that young males from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal were more likely to become a young father when compared to young males from the Western Cape. The association for the other provinces was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study findings have established which demographic and socioeconomic determinants are associated with being a young father in South Africa. The overall conclusion that can be drawn from this study is; young fathers in South Africa are confronted by various challenges such as poor educational attainment, unemployment and lack of condom use.Item Constructions of absentee fatherhood amongst black South African men(2017) Matee, Hopolang Nnete MoiponeThis study aimed to explore constructions of absent fatherhood amongst Black South African men, as well as the factors that contribute to these constructions. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with five Black men between the ages of 25-50, who had not had contact with their children since infancy. Absent fatherhood in South Africa has been highlighted in the literature, however, most studies have been conducted from the perspectives of the mother and children, with a focus most often on the effects of absent fatherhood on the child. It was thus significant to explore absent fatherhood from the fathers’ perspectives, in order to understand their experiences. The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) qualitative thematic analysis. Constructions of fatherhood included notions of father as provider, symbol of strength and source of wisdom and guidance. Fathers were seen as powerful figures, connected to culture and tradition. Given that all the participants had experienced their own fathers as absent, it was significant to note maternal influences on their constructions of fatherhood. Constructions of absentee fatherhood included notions of powerlessness due to financial and cultural expectations and a lack of control over decision making. Absent fathers were also frequently constructed as victims. A number of historical and current contextual influences were identified in absent fatherhood, such as unplanned pregnancies and a lack of readiness for fatherhood. Many of the participants reported negative childhood experiences with their own fathers, racial and socio-economic influences on fatherhood were identified. Powerlessness with regards to the Justice system was highlighted, as well as the influence of maternal gate-keeping. It was concluded that South Africa’s traumatic history is implicated in the issue of often intergenerationally transmitted absent fatherhood amongst Black men. The maternal, familial and cultural structures that have developed to accommodate absent fatherhood may in fact be perpetuating the problem Black men appear to be feeling too powerless to take on a role that they perceive to be powerful and may need more facilitation when it comes to transitioning into fatherhood. It may be worthwhile to reconsider cultural and other socio-economic structures that can assist with contextual issues that black South African men are faced with.Item Black middle class men's reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy(2018) Bujela, Khanyisile A.Background: Unplanned pregnancy is a phenomenon that is commonly explored in South Africa. The male perspective is often neglected and overlooked when exploring unplanned pregnancy, hence most literature focuses on the female perspective. This neglect can result in gender bias where men are under and misrepresented by literature. The few studies that have attempted to speak directly to fathers explore unplanned pregnancy in two ways: explore the experiences of fathers in relation to how they were fathered and how this affects how they father their own children. The first study that was directed at exploring how young South African fathers experience unplanned pregnancy was only conducted in 2009 by Swartz and Bhana. This demonstrates that there is a dearth in research that focuses directly on young fathers in South Africa. The current study hoped to be a platform for the voices of Black men to be heard, for them to speak for themselves and not be spoken for or about, based on the experiences of women. Research aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to explore Black middle class men’s reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy. The study’s objectives were as follows: To study how Black middle class men react to the news of an unplanned pregnancy. To study how Black middle class men respond to an unplanned pregnancy. To explore the reported factors which influence the manner in which Black middle class men respond to unplanned pregnancy. To explore how Black men from middle socio-economic backgrounds experience unplanned pregnancy. The research questions are: How do Black middle class men react to news of an unplanned pregnancy? What factors do Black middle class men perceive as influencing their responses to the unplanned pregnancy? What are the experiences of Black middle class men who have gone through an unplanned pregnancy? Research methods: An exploratory study was conducted using a qualitative approach from a social constructivist perspective. Nine men, around the Gauteng region (Johannesburg and Pretoria), were purposively sampled. Snowballing was used recruit the participants. These participants were recruited via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter. In the hopes to obtain the upper middle class, this study focused on men who have a stable monthly income and earn a minimum of R10 000. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted in IsiXhosa, IsiZulu or English, depending on the participant’s preference, and were facilitated using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Discourse analysis (Gee, 2011) was used to analyse the data. Findings: The findings of this study revealed discourses around the different circumstances; such as the nature of the participants’ relationship with the mother, participants’ upbringing, consideration of financial security, readiness and the individual’s awareness of their actions and the consequences thereof. There was evidence of blame shifting through discourses around falling victim of women’s deceit or manipulation as some of the participants perceived the pregnancy as the woman’s way of ‘trapping them into a happy-ever-after’. The findings suggest that news of the unintended pregnancy result in some psychological distress for some of the participants. This was reflected by discourses around feelings of disappointment, feeling that the experience was emotionally challenging for them to the extent that some expressed a need for social support throughout the experience. The influence of traditional constructions of masculinity and fatherhood was evident in some of the responses to the pregnancy. There was however evidence of a shift from these traditional constructions as reflected by discourses around fatherhood being associated with active participation in the child’s life. This study found that due to the lack of knowledge about the practice of intlawulo, a fine which the man pays to the woman’s family as a symbol of acceptance and acknowledgement of the paternity of the child (Langa & Smith, 2012), some of the participants reported that this practice was not significant to them. Religious discourses evidently influenced most of the participants’ opinions on termination of the pregnancy. Some participants reported having been punished by the church for impregnating someone out-of- wedlock. Discussion: This study intended to explore Black middle class men’s responses and reactions to unplanned pregnancy. It was observed in this study that a reaction to an unplanned pregnancy was understood in relation to the individual’s initial reaction to discovering the news of the pregnancy. This could take the form of shock, whilst a response was understood as the long-term response or actions taken at a later stage such as paying intlawulo. It was evident that social determinants surpassed scientific determinants when it comes to reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy. This was reflected by the major discourse elicited in the findings which concerned the nature of participants’ relationship with the women whom they had allegedly impregnated. The nature of the relationship was understood as follows: The length of the relationship, the state and stability of the relationship (e.g. relationship in the process of ending/ a “Love-Back situation” and the intensity of the love felt for the partner. It was evident in this study that middle class men’s reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy were informed by social determinants which were influenced by cultural and religious discourses that have been normalised leading to ambivalence to scientific determinants of unplanned pregnancy. Scientific determinants can be understood in relation to plausible biological processes responsible for conception and how (lack) knowledge of or ambivalence towards these processes influence reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy. Recommendations: Programs and interventions that provide support to young Black fathers can help create good role models which could break the cycle of unpleasant experiences of being fathered. This could subsequently result in young Black men being motivated to become good fathers. Young Black men need to be challenged to critically engage with cultural discourses around women’s sexuality. Moreover, they need to be encouraged to take responsibility of their sexual behaviours. Increased involvement of young Black men in sexual and reproductive health education, dialogues and interventions could be an opportunity for them to gain more knowledge about their sexual behaviour and the consequences thereof. It is further recommended that young Black men be provided with more scientific knowledge around pregnancy. Conclusion: This study gave evidence that shows that young middle class Black men’s reactions and responses to unplanned pregnancy were informed by their personal experience of being fathered and cultural discourses around sexuality and courtship. Furthermore, social determinants of unplanned pregnancy were pivotal to the manner in which these participants constructed and experienced unplanned pregnancy. Relying on social determinants as opposed to scientific determinants is argued to be detrimental to paternal acknowledgement as this contributes to unplanned pregnancies which occur in less socially acceptable contexts being confronted with negativity. The knowledge generated by this study contributed to a knowledge gap on the reactions and responses of Black middle class men towards unplanned pregnancy.Item The perceptions and experiences of employed fathers on paternity leave(2017) Tladi, NkataneThe South African workforce has been transforming over centuries. Post -1994 South Africa brought about liberal changes in labour laws and policies, which saw women getting a four months maternity leave but there was a shortfall when it came to fathers in the workplace. The laws are mute about the father’s time off during birth of the child; the only provision made is the three days family responsibility leave. The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions and experiences of fathers with regard to the absence of paternity leave in the legislation and their experiences in early child care with new-borns. The study used a qualitative strategy and a case study design to better understand the perceptions and experiences of employed fathers. A purposive and convenience sampling procedure were used, with a sample of 15 fathers with reproductive age ranging from 25 to 55. The fathers that were interviewed came from three different companies, where a semi structured interview was employed to collect data. Data was analysed using thematic analysis that allowed the researcher to identify the recurring themes. The findings of the study demonstrated a need for paternity leave to allow fathers to be involved with their new-borns. Various factors that came up during the analysis include bonding, the helper and supportive partner, and emotionally absent. These factors contributed to an emphasised need for paternity leave as participants narrated their experiences and challenges. With the implementation of paternity leave participants felt that ten days of leave provision in South Africa would be the first steps to moving towards gender equality in the workplace and strict measures need to be put in place to ensure that fathers do not misuse the paternity leave. The study recommends further research to be conducted on the mother’s perspective on paternity leave. It is also anticipated that the result may support the amendment of Basic Conditions of Employment Act, or develop progressive policy which can equally cater for both men and women in equal terms. Keywords: Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Paternity leave, Fatherhood, Family.