Exploring young unmarried fathers experiences and perceptions of pregnancy

Abstract

This study explored young unmarried fathers’ experiences and perceptions of pregnantingtheir partners. The research was conducted in Ray Nkonyeni local municipality which falls under the Ugu District in KwaZulu-Natal. The study focused on the qualitative research enquiry through individual semi-structures interviews. Participants were purposively selected and data emerged from nine young unmarried fathers. The recorded data was manually transcribed and analysed thematically through the lens of social constructionism theoretical framework. Study findings revealed that, young unmarried parent’s pregnancy is unplanned, and the unplanned pregnancy drive the feelings of shock, anger, disbelief and upset among young fathers, which leads to denying support responsibilities toward pregnant partners. Therefore, most mother-father intimacy relationship dismantles during pregnancy period among teenage parents.

Keywords: young unmarried fathers; pregnancy