Absent-Fathers – At Risk Youth
Prof. Dr. Frederick Sylvester
University of the Western Cape
The incidence of with an absent father is becoming more frequent globally. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of the experiences of a group of ten adolescent boys from father absent homes in a low socio-economic area of the Western Cape, South Africa.
The participants comprised ten adolescent boys from a selected school in the area. The boys were selected from grades 8,9 and 10. The participants were selected purposively although participation in the study was voluntary and parental consent was required. A qualitative methodology was used and data were collected by means of structured interviews a focus group discussion and construction of a collage.
The findings showed a correlation between at–risk youth behaviour and a number of identifiable factors, including low self-esteem, gang membership, violence, crime and academic underachievement. This could be a direct result of growing up without a father figure or positive male role model.
The participants comprised ten adolescent boys from a selected school in the area. The boys were selected from grades 8,9 and 10. The participants were selected purposively although participation in the study was voluntary and parental consent was required. A qualitative methodology was used and data were collected by means of structured interviews a focus group discussion and construction of a collage.
The findings showed a correlation between at–risk youth behaviour and a number of identifiable factors, including low self-esteem, gang membership, violence, crime and academic underachievement. This could be a direct result of growing up without a father figure or positive male role model.
