Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences, perceptions and
needs of unmarried adolescent fathers and to assess the attitudes and
attentiveness of selected social workers and organisations that provide
services to adolescent parents.
In view of the position in which teenage fathers find themselves and with
regard to stereotyping and the disregard for their role as fathers, no concerted
attempt is made by organisations to provide services to them. They are
marginalized and despite changes in legislation and a Bill of Human Rights
their needs are not attended to.
A mixed research methodology was employed in conducting this exploratorydescriptive
study. The study was advertised in the waiting rooms of relevant
organisations, in consultation with pregnancy help centres, social work
agencies and youth services. Those who responded were interviewed
according to inclusion criteria for the study and those who did not qualify were
referred to appropriate services. Confidentiality was assured and consent to
participate in the study was discussed. A non-random sample of 32
participants was identified, ranging from 13 to 19 years were located of who
15 agreed to participate. Further attrition resulted in the sample being
reduced to 12. Interview schedules were used to facilitate the discussion and
to ensure that all participants were asked the same questions.
The second part of the study explored the attitude and attentiveness of
services to adolescent parents. All organisations providing such services
were invited and seven eventually agreed to participate. Of these, four
indicated that they were participating in their personal capacity. Interviews
were guided by an interview schedule which aimed to explored attitude,
attentiveness and capacity to provide services to unmarried teenage fathers.
The findings of the study revealed that teenage fathers want to be involved
with their children, but social stereotyping, unrealistic expectations of partners and family, and social discrimination militate against them. However, the
support of family and the natal partner and her family, are factors that
determine continued involvement. Services were perceived and experienced
as negative and dismissive of their role as fathers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1235 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Smith, Patrick J. D. |
| Contributors | Green, Sulina, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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