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)

Der Vater stellt eine gewichtige gesellschaftliche Größe dar. Er ist neben der Mutter der bedeutendste Sozialisationsagent der frühen Kindheit. Er ist der Zeugende, wird Vater zu dem Zeitpunkt, zu dem die Frau das Kind zur Welt bringt. Eine soziale Rolle ,,Vaterschaft" entwickelt sich hieraus jedoch erst dadurch, dass er bestimmte Aufgaben, die sich im Zusammenhang mit dem Kind ergeben, erfüllt. Die Ausführungen nähern sich diesem überaus vielschichtigen Komplex ,,Vater" dermaßen, dass das Zusammenwirken von Vater und Kind als Interaktion aufgefasst wird und die Bedeutung des Vaters als Modell für das Kind dargestellt wird. ,,Christliche Erziehung" und ,,Rituale" sind die beiden anderen Dimensionen dieser Arbeit und erfahren durch das Thema ,,Vater" ihre inhaltliche Zuspitzung. Eine empirische Untersuchung von Vätern zu diesen Themen mittels Fragebogen ergänzt die theoretische Perspektive. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat das Ziel, die drei angedeuteten Spannungsfelder aufzugreifen, zusammenzudenken und als praktisch-theologische Arbeit einen Beitrag zur Reflexion und Förderung christlicher Vaterschaft zu leisten. / The father represents an important figure in society. Together with the mother he is the most important socialization-agent of early childhood. He is involved in the act of procreation and finally becomes father at the time his wife gives birth to their child. However, a social role "paternity" develops only through the fact that he fulfills certain tasks which are connected with the child. The dissertation approaches the extremely multilayered and complex subject "father" as follows: the cooperation between father and child is understood as interaction. The father´s role as model for the child is described. "Christian education" and "rituals" with regard to the topic "father" are the two other dimensions of this dissertation. An empirical survey of fathers about these topics by means of a questionnaire supplements the theoretical perspective. This Master-Dissertation would like to deal with the three mentioned areas, and - as practical-theological thesis - contribute to the reflection and promotion of Christian paternity. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical theology)

This study aims at exploring how fathers' parenting strategies and the relationship they have with their children influences the children's ability to form other relationships outside the home. The study is based on parenting strategies identified by Diana Baumrind. Reviewed literature state that where a relationship between the father and his children is good, the children are more confident, stable and secure and therefore able to form seemingly stable social relationships. Where the relationship between father and his children is unhealthy, the children may be unsure of themselves and find it harder to form relationship outside the home. The parenting strategy resulting in the best relationships between the father and his children is the authoritative parenting strategy. Authoritative fathers set rules and follow them through while allowing dialogue. They encourage the development of self-identity and are lovingly involved in their children's lives. All participating fathers in this study have a son and daughter in the age range 13 to 25 years and all are able to communicate in English. The four participating fathers are from different ethnic groups, religious faith and professions. For each father interviewed, a son and a daughter were interviewed too. The same father parenting strategies identified in the literature were identified in this study. Three fathers fit the description of the authoritative parental strategy. Their six children agree that their relationships with their fathers are good. Even though these fathers are strict, they are loving and therefore the children feel secure and confident. These children are able to form stable relationships outside the home. The fourth father is an abusive father whose relationship with his children is unhealthy. His children are not very secure and are withdrawn. They have very few friends because they are afraid of the repercussions from friends discovering they have problems with their father. This study is a door opener in an area with little documented research namely parenting strategies in Africa in general and fathering strategies in particular. There is a need to explore the field further in order to develop training and care-giving structures based on African parental voices. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans with summaries in Afrikaans and English / The child in his middle childhood years are confronted with physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual demands. The support from his parents enables him to make changes by using them as male and female role models. With a physically absent father the child has to face his absence and learn to handle it. The aim of this study was to investigate the child in the middle childhood’s experience of a physically absent father. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen respondents within the middle childhood years with the aim to explore their perceptions, experiences and how they manage with a physically absent father. The data collected during the empirical study was analyzed and compared with existing literature as a control mechanism. The study was completed with conclusions and recommendations that could be of value during an intervention with children in the middle childhood years experiencing a physically absent father. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

Text in Afrikaans / In this dissertation an attempt has been made to study the past and in particular the basic cultures of Western civilization (the ancient Israelites, ancient Greeks, Romans and early Christians) in order to investigate the educational role of the father. In an examination of the past from a historic pedagogical perspective, an endeavour has been made to compare the educational role of the father during the ancient period to that of the father at present in order to ascertain whether the past can possibly serve as "preceptor" with regard to this contentious contemporary problem. A chapter was devoted to each of the four aforementioned cultures in which the father's educational role was disclosed. At the end of each chapter a brief conclusion was reached pertaining to the field of study. In the last chapter a number of conclusions and recommendations with regard to some of the factors which influenced the father's educational role but which has immense significance for the contemporary (as well as the future) period and consequently cannot be ignored, were recorded. Matters such as the· father's educational responsibility, religious/devout support, moral-ethical education, vocational preparation and the implementation/enforcement of punishment and discipline were discussed so that the present state of affairs with regard to these factors could be evaluated and compared to that of the past. / In hierdie verhandeling is gepoog om by die verlede en wel by die grondkulture van die Westerse beskawing (die oud-lsraeliete, antieke Grieke, Romeine en vroee Christene) te gaan kers opsteek betreffende die opvoedingsrol van die vader. Deur die verlede vanuit 'n histories-pedagogiese ingesteldheid te bevra, is daar gepoog om die verband tussen die opvoedingsrol van die vader in die antieke tyd met die van die vader in die huidige tyd te vergelyk in 'n paging om vas te stel of die verlede moontlik as "leermeester" ten opsigte van die brandende kontempor~re vraagstuk kan di en. Aan elkeen van die vier genoemde kulture is 'n hoofstuk gewy waarin die vader se opvoedingsrol onthul is en aan die einde van elke hoofstuk is tot 'n kart samevattende gevolgtrekking met betrekking tot die veld van ondersoek gekom. In die laaste hoofstuk is 'n aantal gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings met betrekking tot enkele faktore wat die vader se opvoedingsrol be1nvloed het maar wat groat segwaarde vir die huidige (sowel as toekomstige) tyd het en dus nie negeer kan word nie, geboekstaaf. In hierdie verband is aangeleenthede soos die vader se opvoedingsverantwoordel ikheid, religieus/godsdienstige steungewing, moreelsedelike opvoeding, beroepsvoorbereiding en die toepassing/handhawing van tug en dissipline aan die orde gestel sodat die huidige toedrag van sake met betrekking tot die genoemde faktore daarteen gespieel en geevalueer kan word. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Historical Education)

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 proposed research aims to explore and describe the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances. The use and abuse of illegal substances became national and global dilemmas. The impact and damage caused when drugs are widely used over time is irreversible, as it influences the lives of users and those of their families, their communities, and the country. This research provides an opportunity for fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances to share their experiences and challenges. Data are collected by conducting in-depth and face-toface interviews with the participants. The collected data are analysed by following the eight steps of Tesch in Creswell (2009:186). Data are analysed using Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness of qualitative research for validation. The study endeavours to obtain an understanding of the experiences and challenges encountered by fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances and how social workers could assist in addressing this dilemma. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Vaterschaft mit Behinderung ist ein wenig untersuchtes Phänomen, obwohl Väter mit einer Behinderung vor ähnlichen Aufgaben und Problemen wie Väter ohne Behinderung stehen. Der persönliche Blick auf die eigene Behinderung ist bestimmend für die Haltung und das Handeln als Vater. Väter mit positivem Selbstkonzept vermuten kaum Probleme oder negative Auswirkungen der Behinderung auf das Kind. Als schwerwiegende Barrieren im Alltag erweisen sich einschränkende Rahmenbedingungen und fehlende Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten; [J1] nur ein geringer Teil von Problemen hängt ursächlich mit der Behinderung zusammen.

Summary With the rise of the divorce rate and the decline of the nuclear family, boys are more frequently being deprived of a father-presence in their homes. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore and describe boys' experiences of their relationships with their absent fathers. Three boys from different racial and cultural groups were chosen as case studies and worked with from a Gestalt Play Therapy Perspective. Data was gathered from the therapeutic sessions, as well as from semi structured interviews with the childcare workers of the boys. The findings of the study appear to concur with existing literature, namely that boys with absent fathers experience difficulties in the areas of emotional, social, cognitive and moral development. Recommendations are made as to how boys with absent fathers may best be supported. Opsomming Met die toename in egskeidings en die afname van nukleêre gesinne, word daar gevind dat seuns meer dikwels die teenwoordigheid van die vader in die huis ontneem word. Die doel van hierdie studie is `n kwalitatiewe ondersoek en beskrywing van seuns se ervaring van hulle verhouding met hulle afwesige vaders. Drie seuns van erskillende rasse- en kulturele groepe is gekies vir die gevallestudies en vanuit `n Gestalt Spelterapeutiese perspektief is met hulle gewerk. Data is versamel vanuit die terapeutiese sessies sowel as vanuit semigestruktureerde onderhoude met die seuns se kinderoppassers. Die bevindinge van die studie blyk ooreen te stem met bestaande literatuur, naamlik dat seuns met afwesige vaders probleme ondervind ten opsigte van emosionele, sosiale, kognitiewe en morele ontwikkeling. Aanbevelings word gemaak oor hoe om dié seuns ten beste te ondersteun. / SOCIAL WORK / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

This thesis explored the fathering practices of precariously employed African men with the study objectives including understanding: (1) how precariously employed men construct fatherhood; (2) the fathering practices considered important to them; (3) in what way precarious employment impacts on their fathering practices; and (4) how precariously employed men negotiate between their children’s economic as well as socio-emotional needs. This research focused particularly on the experiences of roadside work-seekers in Parow, Cape Town, seeking to understand how they construct fatherhood within their precarious working conditions. What these men think about fatherhood is important particularly in South Africa where not only unemployment is high, but also the rates of children growing up without their fathers. An ethnographic study was conducted during which data was collected using both participant observation and semi-structured interview methods. This thesis reports on interviews conducted with 46 men over a period of seventeen weeks. The findings reveal that the majority of roadside work-seekers are migrants (both internal and cross border) who have families to provide for. This study also revealed having children as one of the main reasons men engage in precarious work activities. Also highlighted is the extent to which precarious work impact the lives of those involved to the extent that it affects their relationships with their children, families and intimate partners. The majority of day labourers, due to being unemployed also do not live with their children, with many being denied access as a result of a breakdown in their relationship with the mother of the child, but also as a result of being unable to fulfil certain traditional requirements expected of men who impregnate women out of wedlock in some African cultures. Finally, this study confirmed the various ways in which men engaged in precarious employment are exposed to high levels of poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, violence and crime, and racism, discrimination and exploitation. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)