Young fathers in South Africa: an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic determinants
Date
2019
Authors
Makamu, Tlangelani
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Abstract
Background: 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.
Description
A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN
THE FIELD OF DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION STUDIES
AUGUST 2019
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Citation
Makamu, Tlangelani (2019) Young fathers in South Africa: an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic determinants, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/29310>