Amplifying children's unfiltered perspectives on fatherhood

THIS IS CURRENTLY A DRAFT VERSION ONLY FOR MEDIA INTEREST PURPOSES. THE FINAL REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE BY 25 NOVEMBER 2024.

This is a powerful report about children’s perspectives on fatherhood in South Africa. The report, Fathers Matter: Amplifying children’s voices about fatherhood, offers unique insights into how children between the ages of 10 and 16 perceive “good” and “bad” fathers and highlights the impact of father absence on youth behaviours and social dynamics.

The findings show that, across backgrounds, South African children associate a “good” father not only with providing basic needs but also with offering love, emotional support, and active involvement in their lives. However, many children experience or witness contradictory behaviours where fathers – ideally seen as protectors – are instead sources of fear and insecurity due to acts of physical, verbal, and even sexual violence. The research sheds light on a disturbing cycle: children replicate these behaviours, including substance abuse and violence, particularly in school settings.

• File size: 1.222 MB
• Format: pdf
• Length: 50 pages
• Language: English
• Publisher Name: Heartlines
• Date Published: Nov 25, 2024