Young unmarried fathers in the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Rationale and background

1.2. Problem statement

1.3. Overall purpose of the study

1.4. Objectives of the study

1.5. Key Questions

1.6. Underlying assumptions

1.7. Study location

1.8. Theoretical Framework

1.9. Research Methodology

1.10. Significance of the study

1.11. Dissertation outline

1.12. Definition of concepts

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1. IMPACT OF APARTHEID ON PARENTING

2.2. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

2.3. CULTURAL PRACTICES

2.4. CONSTRUCTIONS OF FATHERHOOD

2.5. CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY UNMARRIED FATHERS

2.6. CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. RESEARCH PARADIGM

3.2. RESEARCH DESIGN

3.3. SAMPLING PROCEDURE

3.4. DATA COLLECTION

3.5. DATA ANALYSIS

3.6. TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE STUDY

3.7. ETHICAL ISSUES

3.8. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

3.9. CONCLUSION

4. INTRODUCTION

4.1. SHORT PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS.

4.2. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS

4.3. FATHERS' CURRENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN

4.4. EXPERIENCES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING FATHER-CHILD INVOLVEMENT.

4.5. OWN FATHERHOOD EXPERIENCES AND VIEWS

4.6. Conclusion

5. INTRODUCTION

5.1. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

5.2. MAIN FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS

5.4. RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

5.5. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

This study aims to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of young unmarried fathers (aged 18-29) regarding parenting, specifically within the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality. It investigates how historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors influence their relationships with their children and their ability to fulfill parental roles.

• The impact of historical and political context (apartheid) on family structures and fatherhood.
• Legislative frameworks governing parental rights and responsibilities for unmarried fathers.
• Cultural practices, such as damage payments and lobola, and their effect on father-child involvement.
• The role of masculinity in constructing fatherhood identities and behaviors.
• Socio-economic challenges, primarily unemployment and poverty, as barriers to active fatherhood.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research background, problem statement, objectives, location, and the theoretical framework of social constructionism.

2. INTRODUCTION: Provides a comprehensive literature review on the impacts of apartheid, legislative frameworks, cultural practices, and constructions of masculinity on fatherhood.

3. INTRODUCTION: Details the qualitative methodology, including research design, purposive and snowball sampling, semi-structured interviews, and thematic data analysis.

4. INTRODUCTION: Analyzes the research findings, focusing on participant profiles, relationships with children, factors influencing involvement, and individual perceptions of fatherhood.

5. INTRODUCTION: Synthesizes the study's conclusions and provides recommendations for community awareness, social work services, and future research.

Keywords

young unmarried fathers, perceptions of fatherhood, experiences of fatherhood, South Africa, Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality, Children’s Act, social constructionism, masculinity, father-child relationships, unemployment, child maintenance, cultural practices, damage payments, parental responsibilities, qualitative research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research study?

The study focuses on exploring the experiences and perceptions of young unmarried fathers, aged 18 to 29, regarding their roles and involvement in parenting their children in the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality.

Which specific themes are addressed?

The study addresses the impact of apartheid history, legislative frameworks like the Children's Act, cultural practices (e.g., damage payments), social constructions of masculinity, and socio-economic factors such as unemployment.

What is the primary objective of this study?

The primary objective is to understand how young unmarried fathers construct their reality of fatherhood and what factors influence their relationships and involvement with their children.

What scientific methodology was employed?

A qualitative, interpretive approach was used, involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine participants, analyzed through thematic content analysis and guided by social constructionism theory.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main body covers a literature review of historical and social contexts, the research methodology, and a detailed analysis of the participants' personal profiles, their actual fatherhood experiences, and their hopes for future relationships with their children.

What are the characterizing keywords?

Key terms include young unmarried fathers, fatherhood perceptions, masculinity, South African legislation (Children's Act), unemployment, poverty, and cultural traditions in the Zulu community.

How does the Children’s Act impact these fathers?

The Act provides mechanisms for unmarried fathers to acquire parental responsibilities and rights, but the participants in this study often lacked knowledge of these legal provisions and how to navigate them.

How do cultural practices influence these men?

Traditions like "damage payments" (inhlawulo) for impregnating a woman outside of marriage significantly impact these men's ability to maintain relationships, as failure to pay can lead to social and familial ostracization.