Fatherhood and Caring Practices: Do Previously Disadvantaged First-Time Fathers Care?

Fatherhood and caring practices: Do previously disadvantaged first-time fathers care?

Contents

Abstract

Introduction and Literature Review

The Meaning of Fatherhood                                                                              

Conceptions of Masculinity in Fatherhood and Caring Practices                      

The Shift of Fathers from Financial Providers to Emotional Nurturers

The Breakdown of the Nuclear Family

Biological and Social Forms of Fatherhood and Caring Practices pg8

Traditional African Societies and the Western World

The Absence of Fathers

The Apartheid Legacy and Socio-Economic Disparity of South African Fathers

Fatherhood Legislation and Policy

Research Questions

Methods

Design

Sample and Sampling

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Significance

Limitations and Delimitations

Content, Access and Human Participants Protection

References

Appendices

Appendix A- Informed Consent Form

Appendix B- Questionnaire

Appendix C- Semi-Structured Interview Schedule

Abstract

Debates focussing on alterations in the behaviours of fathers and the culture of fatherhood, as a whole, will be discussed in a national (Mkhize, 2006; Morell, 2006) and international context (Dermott, 2008). In this proposed research study, numerous facets of fatherhood and caring practices will be discussed; such as the conceptions of masculinity in fatherhood and the apartheid legacy and socio-economic disparity of South African fathers (Dermott, 2008; Mkhize, 2006, Morrell, 2008). The proposed research study will address the following general research question: Do previously-disadvantaged first-time fathers care? It is hypothesized that previously-disadvantaged first-time fathers do care and are involved in fathering and caring practices contributing to their children’s well-being. A mixed methods research design will employed, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Furthermore, a non-probability purposive sampling strategy will be used to select a sample of 20 previously-disadvantaged first-time fathers in Cape Town, South Africa. Quantitative data will be collected using a questionnaire, while qualitative data will be collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis will be used as methods of data analysis. The proposed research will benefit academic literature, policy-makers and practitioners by providing an empirical basis for setting future agendas. The proposed research study is limited in that conclusions drawn will only be applicable to first-time fathers who identify as previously-disadvantaged in Cape Town, South Africa. Ethical considerations will be taken into account with consideration to the nature of the proposed research.