Young Fathers (YF) 2008: Experiences of fatherhood in the context of poverty in SA - A phenomenological and ecological investigation - KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape

Description:
This data file contains 52 transcripts of interviews with young fathers and 4 transcripts of social network interviews of young fathers' social support networks.

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Abstract:
This study, funded by Save the Children Sweden, provides an in-depth portrait of the representations and experiences of impoverished young men in the South African context who became fathers as teenagers. Specifically, it answered the following two, closely related research questions: 'How do young men living in poverty, and those ecologically involved with them, experience fatherhood?' and 'What are the factors that help or hinder young men's engagement in the parenting of their children?' It aimed to document and analyze young men's experiences from finding out about their impending fatherhood, to recording the changing nature of their primary relationships (with partners, parents, school and community) within their social networks. It attempted to distinguish the various ways in which young men engaged with their children, and looked for how patterns of engagement vary depending on the level of family and community support, educational levels and employment status, as well as on other broader social and environmental factors (such as religion and culture).