Issues concerning children may be the most intense and emotive areas of divorce and can lead to spectacular legal battles. Social work practice revealed that it is often the father who leaves the court, stripped of his fatherhood by a court order that only grants him limited access to his own children. Some divorced fathers disengage from their children's lives but there is documented evidence of South African fathers who desire continuity in their relationships with their children after divorce. An interest in these fathers prompted this study. Fathers who challenged maternal custody were selected since it was assumed that their lived experiences would include non-custodial as well as custodial fatherhood. The study was approached from a constructivist position and was further informed by a family systems theory. South African and international literature was perused followed by an exploratory study on the relatively uncharted terrain of paternal custody. A qualitative method was used and one unstructured interview with a schedule was conducted with each of the five respondents who were selected according to non-probability purposive sampling methods. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed cross-sectionally around certain themes and categories that were extracted from the data. The most significant findings of the study which appear to resemble some earlier national and international findings, are summarised as follows: Some fathers appear to have sound motives for pursuing custody of their children. These fathers, if afforded the opportunity, find fulfilment in parenting their children whom they perceive to be happy and prosperous in their care. There are fathers in whom divorce causes clear and profound signs of distress which appear to be related to the loss of the pre-divorce father I child relationship. The feeling of powerlessness to effect the well-being of their children as they see it was emphasised. Recommendations generated from these findings relate to the elimination of gender bias from custody decisions, including fathers in therapeutic interventions with divorced families and the provision of family courts and mediation services as suggested in the White Paper for Social Welfare. Recommendations for future research are also presented.

This study investigated the construction of fatherhood through the 'voices of children' from a selection of schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. An open, exploratory qualitative research design was employed. The results suggest that children's constructions are primarily contemporary in nature, as opposed to traditional stereotypical notions of fathers as providers only. Fathers were cast in a 'new father' role as loving, caring, supportive and involved. Despite contemporary constructions, children also acknowledge a wide range of father imperfections. Differences in constructions were evident between children from different socio-economic backgrounds. Increased research efforts could focus on exploring gender and socio-economic differences in greater detail. It is hoped that these findings will provide the impetus for practitioners and researchers to be more inclusive of fathers and children in research. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The experiences of twenty fathers were explored to understand the involvement in the social development of children under six years. The main research question that guided the study was: what are fathers’ experiences with involvement in the social development of their children under the age of six years and what implications do these have for early childhood development? A social capital perspective was followed. The qualitative data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. The data was then analysed qualitatively. Results show that although most of the respondents could not give a definition of the concept of social development, they, however, understood the importance of parents playing a role in the development of a child. Fathers understood their role as supportive, nurturing and being there for their children. Fathers also understood their basic role as being the provider and protector. They also perceived their role as being authoritative and see themselves as the main disciplinarians. Results reveal that most schools do not offer programs specifically designed to encourage fathers to participate. Most importantly, results indicate that fathers’ interest in a variety of sporting activities, information sharing and talking about challenges both the schools as well as fathers face, are some of the ways fathers would like to be involved. Findings also indicate that although fathers acknowledged the role of the Department of Basic Education (DoBE) as mainly that of financial contributor in order to facilitate the skills development as well as that of information dissemination. However, fathers who took part in the study did not understand how the DoBE skills development agenda is envisaged for fathers. Notwithstanding, the respondents were quite clear that a father has an influential role to play in their children’s development. It also emerged that the greater the involvement, the more positive the influence on the child’s development. This study concludes that the presence of fathers in children’s lives is known to contribute significantly to their chances of experiencing positive developmental outcomes. Although the father-child relationship’s influences on children’s social competence have received increased attention in general, research on fathers’ understanding of their roles, involvement with their children as well as challenges confronting them with their involvement is scant. Based this the above, a number of recommendations have been made.

The aim of this study was to explore fathers’ role in supporting their children’s learning in selected urban primary schools in the East London Education District. Epstein parental involvement theory informed the study. The study was located in the interpretivist research paradigm and it qualitative in nature. It followed a case study research design. Participants were selected through the use of purposive sampling. A total of fifty two (52) participants were selected and these included school teachers, fathers and learners. Semi-structured interviews (for school teachers and fathers) and focus group interviews (for learners) were used in the four selected primary schools. The data was coded and thematic content analysis was used. The findings from the research indicated that fathers’ and teachers had a very limited understanding of fathers’ support in children’s learning. They generally thought that it was confined to activities done at school such as payment of school fees and levies, providing labour for the construction or renovation of school buildings and providing teaching/learning resources. Participants confirmed that the majority of fathers were too poor and with low education to be meaningfully involved in their children’s learning. However, there were a few fathers who believed that their socio-economic status did not prevent them from participating in their children’s learning. They actually indicated useful ways in which they could be involved. It was found that a minority group of fathers who were unemployed spent time helping their children in their learning whilst, those working worked long hours and had no time to help their children. Among the significant findings of the study was the fact that educated fathers were too involved in their children’s learning and even reserved time on weekend to be part of their children’s life and learning. The research also revealed that fathers and teachers had wrong perceptions about themselves and each other in connection with limited fathers’ support in their schools. The study recommends, among other issues, enhanced school/parent partnership with emphasis on the involvement of fathers in academic activities meant to improve their children’s learning.

This study explored and described the relationship between early attachment to the father figure and self-esteem and current adult attachment style. Specifically, the present study explored and described the impact of the internal working model of early paternal attachment upon adult attachment styles and levels of self-esteem. The data for this study was obtained by utilizing the following four questionnaires: The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) Part 2 as a retrospective measure, the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) and Battle’s Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory (CFSEI). An exploratory descriptive design using a non-probability, convenience sampling method was employed for the present study. A sample of 105 adult participants from a religious institution within Port Elizabeth was selected. Participants, including both males and females, representative of all cultures and socio-economic status, were interviewed using the above self-report measures. The data for this study was analyzed using descriptive and correlational and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that the majority of the sample had a preoccupied attachment style, with Intermediate self-esteem levels.

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)

During the past few decades there has been a breakdown in the commitment to long term relationships, with no fault divorce laws making it easier for couples to obtain a divorce resulting in increase in divorce rates. Research has shown that in acrimonious divorces with high levels of conflict children often get caught in the middle of their parents’ enduring battles. These children are often prevented from or encouraged not to have contact with their non residential parent. The term parental alienation is used to describe this phenomenon. A qualitative study focusing on the personal experiences of South African fathers who seem to be victims of parental alienation, will be examined and discussed from the perspective of systems theory. / Psychology / M.A. ( Psychology)

During the past few decades there has been a breakdown in the commitment to long term relationships, with no fault divorce laws making it easier for couples to obtain a divorce resulting in increase in divorce rates. Research has shown that in acrimonious divorces with high levels of conflict children often get caught in the middle of their parents’ enduring battles. These children are often prevented from or encouraged not to have contact with their non residential parent. The term parental alienation is used to describe this phenomenon. A qualitative study focusing on the personal experiences of South African fathers who seem to be victims of parental alienation, will be examined and discussed from the perspective of systems theory. / Psychology / M.A. ( Psychology)

The migrant labour practice in South Africa played an important role in the country's development and economy. Although it has benefited many native migrant workers by creating job opportunities, it has had adverse effects on the families of migrant workers. The focus of this study is the phenomenon of migrant labouring and its effects on the family. A literature study has shown that migrant labourers, living in overcrowded city hostels, were subjected to exploitation, malnutrition and crime. The empirical study brought to light the many problems experienced by the families back home: Wives were overburdened by dual roles and responsibilities, lack of support and money, children's development was impeded and academic motivations and performance were low. The ultimate aim of this study was to design practical guidelines to help families cope with the effects of an absent father due to the migrant labour practice. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of this study was to explore absent fathers' experiences. This involved determining absent fathers' conceptualisation of fatherhood, exploring the psychological well-being of absent fathers, and how absent fathers cope with being absent from their children‟s lives. An ecosystemic approach was employed as the epistemology to understand the participants in terms of organisation of their behaviour in social contexts. Qualitative research was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the data. The research found that these fathers' experiences of being absent from their children's lives have negatively affected several aspects of their lives, both emotionally and behaviourally. Furthermore, the study concluded that fathers who are absent from their children‟s lives, while aware of the roles they need to play, seem unable to fulfil these roles. Lastly, the absent fathers revealed a tendency to react ambivalently towards their identities as fathers. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)