Paternal Involvement in Child- Rearing Activities: The Perspective of Adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

In recognition of the need to widen the scope of fatherhood scholarship, this article centered on examining paternal involvement but in a socio- cultural context and developmental stage that has headed little attention in previous research. An attempt was made to investigate the nature of paternal involvement (ways, desires and roles) among adolescent students in Addis Ababa. Rating- type (N= 554) and forced- choice (N= 360) questionnaires were administered to secondary school (grades 9-12) students (ages 14-19 years). Results generally indicated that paternal involvement was multidimensional in the sense that adolescents considered direct and indirect ways, acting and capacity building roles and caring and masculine- oriented desires of fathers. involvement with children. Significant differences and relationships were also documented between the two components of ways, roles, and desires. In fact, interactions between ways and roles, ways and desires, and roles and desires were all significant. Results were interpreted and implications were drawn against a backdrop of the respondents. developmental and socio- cultural backgrounds.