Social work intervention for unmarried teenage fathers

[摘要] The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences, perceptions andneeds of unmarried adolescent fathers and to assess the attitudes andattentiveness of selected social workers and organisations that provideservices to adolescent parents.In view of the position in which teenage fathers find themselves and withregard to stereotyping and the disregard for their role as fathers, no concertedattempt is made by organisations to provide services to them. They aremarginalized and despite changes in legislation and a Bill of Human Rightstheir needs are not attended to.A mixed research methodology was employed in conducting this exploratorydescriptivestudy. The study was advertised in the waiting rooms of relevantorganisations, in consultation with pregnancy help centres, social workagencies and youth services. Those who responded were interviewedaccording to inclusion criteria for the study and those who did not qualify werereferred to appropriate services. Confidentiality was assured and consent toparticipate in the study was discussed. A non-random sample of 32participants was identified, ranging from 13 to 19 years were located of who15 agreed to participate. Further attrition resulted in the sample beingreduced to 12. Interview schedules were used to facilitate the discussion andto ensure that all participants were asked the same questions.The second part of the study explored the attitude and attentiveness ofservices to adolescent parents. All organisations providing such serviceswere invited and seven eventually agreed to participate. Of these, fourindicated that they were participating in their personal capacity. Interviewswere 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 involvedwith their children, but social stereotyping, unrealistic expectations of partners and family, and social discrimination militate against them. However, thesupport of family and the natal partner and her family, are factors thatdetermine continued involvement. Services were perceived and experiencedas negative and dismissive of their role as fathers.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University