To explore the process of becoming a first-time father in Thai-Muslim adolescents. The transition to fatherhood among Thai-Muslim adolescents is a critical life event. The process of the transition is often not clearly understood. In-depth interviews with 14 Thai-Muslim adolescent fathers. Data were analyzed using constant comparative method. “Breaking free of worry and embracing fatherhood with joy” is the central, integrating theme. Male adolescents experience the following three phase process to prepare themselves for fatherhood. In phase one, the adolescents are worried about the impact of becoming a father. Their response is a mixed feeling of fright, stress, fear about a burden on their parents, and indignation at being told they are too young to be fathers. In phase two, male adolescents accept the onset of pending fatherhood and try to confront it. The adolescent fathers apply three strategies through the first two phases: facing the reality, accepting the role of an adolescent father, and modifying their behavior. In phase three, the adolescents actively undertake the transition to shoulder the burdens, responsibilities, and joys of fatherhood. The findings provide additional knowledge and contribute significantly to health care professionals promoting continuity care for first-time adolescent fathers.
Our data may guide policymakers in developing support groups, effective mentoring programs and national follow-up services as standard services in hospitals' care for first-time adolescent fathers in Thailand.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.