Absent fathers : an ecosystemic exploration of context

• Main Author: Mabusela, Moipone Hilda Martha
• Other Authors: Matoane, Matshepo
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Absent fathers; Behavioural impact; Ecosystemic approach; Single parenthood; Children; Psychological impact; 306.87420968; Absentee fathers > South Africa > Psychology; Custody of children > South Africa; Father and child > South Africa; Fatherless families > South Africa; Fathers > South Africa > Psychology; Family psychotherapy > South Africa; Family social work > South Africa; Parents > Services for > South Africa
• Online Access: Mabusela, Moipone Hilda Martha (2014) Absent fathers : an ecosystemic exploration of context, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18748>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18748

The aim of this study was to explore absent fathers' experiences. This involved determining absent fathers' conceptualisation of fatherhood, exploring the psychological well-being of absent fathers, and how absent fathers cope with being absent from their children‟s lives. An ecosystemic approach was employed as the epistemology to understand the participants in terms of organisation of their behaviour in social contexts. Qualitative research was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the data. The research found that these fathers' experiences of being absent from their children's lives have negatively affected several aspects of their lives, both emotionally and behaviourally. Furthermore, the study concluded that fathers who are absent from their children‟s lives, while aware of the roles they need to play, seem unable to fulfil these roles. Lastly, the absent fathers revealed a tendency to react ambivalently towards their identities as fathers. === Psychology === M. A. (Clinical Psychology)