The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adolescent fathers in a suburban environment in Northern Virginia. Specifically, phenomenological methods were used to capture the essence of these nine adolescent fathers\' experiences surrounding their conceptualization and enactment of fatherhood. Participants included 5 Hispanic (56%), 2 African-American (22%), 1 Caucasian (11%), and 1 Asian (11%). They ranged in age from 16 to 19 years of age with an average age of 18. Their perspective adds to the current literature and assists counselors and policy makers in gaining a greater understanding of the needs and perceptions of this marginalized group. A transformative process best described the lived experience of these adolescent fathers. Fatherhood was described as a life-changing event, as they traversed a range of negative behaviors to become actively involved fathers. An eco- constructivist model provided an appropriate framework to better understand the subjective meanings the adolescent fathers attached to their lived experiences throughout the transformative process. While the results cannot be generalized, the narratives of these participants provide insight into this marginalized population. These participants define fatherhood in traditional terms (i.e., father as primary provider) and expressed enthusiasm about being actively involved in their children\'s daily lives. Further, the majority expressed a renewed focus on educational attainment to provide a better future for themselves and their children. Although participants received assistance from their families, support was lacking from the educational system. This lack of support provides an avenue for communities, schools, and counselors to become advocates for adolescent fathers. School counselors are encouraged to reach out to community agencies, clinical mental heath counselors, and community college counselors as avenues for more complete services for adolescent fathers. There is a need for further research relating to the needs of adolescent fathers. Longitudinal research with these participants is necessary to ascertain how they enacted their conceptualization of fatherhood and the barriers they encountered. / Ph. D.

Este estudo objetivou conhecer e compreender como foi constituída a percepção que os adolescentes têm da parentalidade recorrente na adolescência. Para compreender o significado desta experiência e a relação com seus projetos de vida utilizei-me do método qualitativo com enfoque na Fenomenologia Social. Foram realizadas 15 entrevistas com cinco pais e dez mães que haviam experienciado a parentalidade recorrente com as seguintes questões norteadoras: Como foi para você ser mãe/pai pela primeira vez? Como aconteceu o nascimento do outro filho? Como é ser mãe/pai mais de uma vez, ainda adolescente? O que você espera do futuro sendo mãe/pai tão jovem? Dos depoimentos emergiram cinco categorias concretas do vivido: Contextualizando a percepção sobre ser pai/mãe adolescente, que implicou na construção de duas subcategorias: sendo pai/mãe pela primeira vez e sendo pai/mãe mais de uma vez; Vivenciando perdas; Vivenciando ganhos, com duas subcategorias: sentindo-se amadurecidos /responsáveis e expressando satisfação com a parentalidade; Buscando segurança para o futuro e Experienciando situação ambivalente. O estudo permitiu compreender que a parentalidade adolescente recorrente é um fenômeno complexo, multifacetado, de inesgotável possibilidades perpceptivas, cujas diversas vivências são dependentes do contexto social que define os desejos, os projetos, as possibilidades e significações nas distintas classes sociais. Com este entendimento numa relação face a face, de intersubjetividade, respeitando a singularidade dos adolescentes, o enfermeiro tem uma situação de destaque no que se refere ao assistir/cuidar desta clientela, centrado na dimensão humana /existencial. / The goal of this study was to know and understand how the perception adolescents have of the recurring parenthood during adolescence was constituted. To comprehend the meaning of this experience and the relation with their life projects the qualitative method was used, focusing the social phenomenology. Fifteen interviews were carried out with five fathers and ten mothers who had experienced the recurring parenthood as an unveiling strategy of the phenomenon, using the following directive questions: How did you feel becoming a first-time mother/father? How did the birth of another child take place? How does it feel to be a mother/father more than once, still being an adolescent? What do you expect of the future, being such a young mother/father? Five concrete categories of the experienced surfaced from the subjects\' statements: Contextualizing the perception about being an adolescent mother/father – with two subcategories: being a first-time parent and being a parent more than once; Experiencing losses; Experiencing gains – with two subcategories: feeling more mature/responsible and expressing satisfaction with parenthood; Seeking safety for the future; and Experiencing an ambivalent situation. The study allowed the understanding that recurring adolescent parenthood is a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon, with endless perceptive possibilities, of which the diverse experiences depend on the social context that defines wishes, projects, possibilities and meanings through the distinct social classes. Based on this understanding during a face-to-face relationship of intersubjectivity, respecting the adolescents\' singularity, the nurse plays a very important role as regards assisting/taking care of this clientele, centered on the human/assisting dimension.

Adolescent parenting research has typically focused on the mother and ignored the father . Researchers have suggested that adolescent fathers are disregarded as the child's other parent because their parenting role is devalued. An emerging body of literature indicates that adolescent fathers are excluded from the pregnancy and parenting services provided to adolescent mothers because they are viewed as unnecessary to the parenting process and unimportant to the child's development. Moreover, researchers have alleged that service providers treat adolescent fathers as outcasts based on stereotypical beliefs that they are uncaring, irresponsible victimizers who disappear at the first mention of pregnancy. However, there is no empirical evidence to support these claims. The purpose of this thesis is to question these allegations and provide some evidence to either support or refute them. A survey of northern Utah agencies and the personnel who provide pregnancy and parenting services to adolescent mothers was conducted as the means to investigate this issue. The results of the survey do not provide conclusive evidence although they do suggest that the participating agencies and their personnel do not have policies or attitudes that intentionally exclude adolescent fathers from receiving services. Those surveyed consider fathers to be important to the pregnancy experience and the child's development. However , they do not make a deliberate effort to encourage adolescent fathers to take advantage of their services, nor do they employ effective strategies for making adolescent males aware of their services.

Este estudo objetivou conhecer e compreender como foi constituída a percepção que os adolescentes têm da parentalidade recorrente na adolescência. Para compreender o significado desta experiência e a relação com seus projetos de vida utilizei-me do método qualitativo com enfoque na Fenomenologia Social. Foram realizadas 15 entrevistas com cinco pais e dez mães que haviam experienciado a parentalidade recorrente com as seguintes questões norteadoras: Como foi para você ser mãe/pai pela primeira vez? Como aconteceu o nascimento do outro filho? Como é ser mãe/pai mais de uma vez, ainda adolescente? O que você espera do futuro sendo mãe/pai tão jovem? Dos depoimentos emergiram cinco categorias concretas do vivido: Contextualizando a percepção sobre ser pai/mãe adolescente, que implicou na construção de duas subcategorias: sendo pai/mãe pela primeira vez e sendo pai/mãe mais de uma vez; Vivenciando perdas; Vivenciando ganhos, com duas subcategorias: sentindo-se amadurecidos /responsáveis e expressando satisfação com a parentalidade; Buscando segurança para o futuro e Experienciando situação ambivalente. O estudo permitiu compreender que a parentalidade adolescente recorrente é um fenômeno complexo, multifacetado, de inesgotável possibilidades perpceptivas, cujas diversas vivências são dependentes do contexto social que define os desejos, os projetos, as possibilidades e significações nas distintas classes sociais. Com este entendimento numa relação face a face, de intersubjetividade, respeitando a singularidade dos adolescentes, o enfermeiro tem uma situação de destaque no que se refere ao assistir/cuidar desta clientela, centrado na dimensão humana /existencial. / The goal of this study was to know and understand how the perception adolescents have of the recurring parenthood during adolescence was constituted. To comprehend the meaning of this experience and the relation with their life projects the qualitative method was used, focusing the social phenomenology. Fifteen interviews were carried out with five fathers and ten mothers who had experienced the recurring parenthood as an unveiling strategy of the phenomenon, using the following directive questions: How did you feel becoming a first-time mother/father? How did the birth of another child take place? How does it feel to be a mother/father more than once, still being an adolescent? What do you expect of the future, being such a young mother/father? Five concrete categories of the experienced surfaced from the subjects\' statements: Contextualizing the perception about being an adolescent mother/father – with two subcategories: being a first-time parent and being a parent more than once; Experiencing losses; Experiencing gains – with two subcategories: feeling more mature/responsible and expressing satisfaction with parenthood; Seeking safety for the future; and Experiencing an ambivalent situation. The study allowed the understanding that recurring adolescent parenthood is a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon, with endless perceptive possibilities, of which the diverse experiences depend on the social context that defines wishes, projects, possibilities and meanings through the distinct social classes. Based on this understanding during a face-to-face relationship of intersubjectivity, respecting the adolescents\' singularity, the nurse plays a very important role as regards assisting/taking care of this clientele, centered on the human/assisting dimension.

The purpose of the study was to explore the needs, attitudes and beliefs of adolescent fathers regarding fatherhood in Limpopo Province and to recommend health promotion initiatives that will address the unique needs of this group to enable them to manage this phase of their lives effectively. The study was conducted in Unit F clinic situated in the Lepelle Nkumpi, a local municipality located in the Capricorn District. Data collection methods: The study utilised qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to recruit adolescent fathers in Lepelle Nkumpi municipality to participate. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews to allow open and free expression. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. The population of the study was adolescent fathers between 13 and 19 years of age belonging to the Bapedi ethnic group, whose babies’ mothers were also adolescents. Participants’ beliefs and attitudes regarding fatherhood were highlighted. Their unique needs were identified and recommendations made for the health and social development practitioners on measures to address their needs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)