At risk youth: the experiences of adolescent boys with absent fathers

Date
2010-03
Authors
Sylvester, Frederick James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The single-parent, female-headed household is a global phenomenon. In a patriarchal society such as South Africa, the absence of a father figure in the family place mothers in the unenviable position of having to play a double role, namely that of mother as well as the head of the family. The role of absent fathers in the at-riskness of adolescent boys is under researched in South Africa. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of ten adolescent boys who are growing up in father absent homes. The participants were from a low socio-economic area of the Western Cape, and high school pupils who were purposively selected from Grades 8, 9 and 10. A qualitative research methodology was used and data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion and the construction of collages. The findings showed that adolescent boys face many challenges in their development when they grow up without a strong male role model. These ten adolescents seemed to struggle with discipline issues at school as well as at home. They are at a vulnerable age, and at risk of making decisions that would be devastating to their futures.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die enkelouer, vrou-as-hoof huishouding is ‟n globale fenomeen. In ‟n patriargale samelewing soos Suid-Afrika plaas die afwesigheid van ‟n vader in die gesin ma‟s in ‟n situasie waar hulle dubbele rolle moet vertolk, naamlik as ma sowel as hoof van die gesin. Die rol van die afwesige pa in die bevordering van riskantheid by adolessente seuns is nog nie voldoende nagevors nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die persepsies en ervaringe van tien adolessente seuns uit huise met afwesige vaders in te verken en te beskryf. Die deelnemers was uit ‟n lae sosio-ekonomiese area van die Wes-Kaap en doelgerig uit Grade 8, 9 en 10 geselekteer. ‟n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik en data is deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, ‟n fokusgroepgesprek en die konstruksie van ‟n kollage ingesamel. Die bevindinge toon dat adolessente seuns baie uitdaging ervaar tydens hul ontwikkelingssfase wanneer hulle opgroei sonder ‟n sterk manlike rolmodel. Die tien adolessente sukkel met dissipline by die skool sowel as tuis. Hulle is ‟n brose ouderdom en loop die gevaar om besluite te neem wat hulle toekoms kan vernietig.
Description
Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
At risk youth, Experiences, Adolescents boys, Absent fathers, Dissertations -- Educational psychology, Theses -- Educational psychology
Citation