"Being Man Enough": Fatherhood Experiences and Expectations Among Teenage Boys in South Africa

• DOI: 10.3149/fth.0901.3
• Publication Date: 2011-03-05T09:44:05Z
• Authors: Ingrid O. Spjeldnaes; Karen Marie Moland; Janet Harris; David L. Sam
• Keywords: 5. Gender equality; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; 10. No inequality

Through a socio-psychological lens, this study aimed at exploring how South African school-boys of low socio-economic status experienced interacting with men and fathers about the transition to manhood they visualised their own role as in future. These questions were explored against backdrop conditions for boys negotiating way into economically disadvantaged contexts. A sequential triangulation qualitative methods was employed. The findings indicated huge discrepancy between experiences being fathered future aspirations “responsible fatherhood”. Guiding children personal issues seen most important father-responsibility, yet legal framework presented obstacles initiate responsible fathering.