Effects of non-resident fathering on children: A case of selected households in the Hillcrest community, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

Non-resident fathering that is the absence of fathers permanently in households is a growing socio-economic concern in the world at large and South Africa in particular. However, studies conducted on non-resident fathering concentrated on marital satisfaction, perception, divorce and separation. This paper explored the effects of non-resident fathers on the children in the Hillcrest community in Alice town, Eastern Cape. A qualitative research methodology was utilised and 30 participants (single mothers/caregivers, non-resident fathers, social workers) took part in the study. Data was collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews and analysed thematically. The themes that emerged were the absence of role model for children, children manifest psychosocial problems and deteriorating levels of poverty and living conditions in households without fathers. The theme also identified was a children’s educational performance, lower compared to those with fathers in households. The study found that the absence of fathers on the lives of children resulted to psychosocial problems such as stress, depression, violence and substance abuse, which prevented them to establish trusting relationships. The study concluded that anxiety, depression and stress lead to the disruption of the children’s education. This study recommended that occupational training and life skills programme should be introduced by the government and other stakeholders involved to empower single parent (mothers) as this might provide the platform for the mothers to bring up their children properly.

HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Makosa, N., Tanga, P. & Ekobi, G. (2024). Effects of non-resident fathering on children: A case of selected households in the Hillcrest community, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. African Journal of Social Work, 14(1),40-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i1.5

Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net