Black Fathers’ Participation in Early Childhood Development in South Africa: What Do We Know?

Crises impacting South African men’s participation in early socio-education development of children and possible useful interventions

“…Even more research (Chaudhary, 2016) describes the essential role of fathers in the lives of children in the United States, Brazil, and Australia. Mncanca et al (2016, p. 202), p. 202), p. 202) also highlight the fact that ‘fathers’ participation in the early childhood development can positively affect children’s education and social development’. This scenario renders the link between social capital and human capital development more visible (Coleman, 1988).…”

“…Research suggests that father participation in the early years’ socio-educational development of children is constrained by a number of factors. Notably, research by Makusha and Richter (2016) and Mncanca et al (2016) suggest that there is a relationship between fathers’ socio-economic background and their ability to participate in the early years’ development of their children. For example, Mncanca et al (2016, p. 209), p. 209), p. 209) note that from ‘an economic perspective, it is self-evident that Black fathers appear to be struggling with many post-apartheid economic realities in South Africa’.…”

“…Notably, research by Makusha and Richter (2016) and Mncanca et al (2016) suggest that there is a relationship between fathers’ socio-economic background and their ability to participate in the early years’ development of their children. For example, Mncanca et al (2016, p. 209), p. 209), p. 209) note that from ‘an economic perspective, it is self-evident that Black fathers appear to be struggling with many post-apartheid economic realities in South Africa’. Makusha and Richter (2016, p. 31) 31) 31) also add that ‘due to high poverty and unemployment, some Black South African men suffer damage to their identity, masculinity, self-esteem and confidence to act as fathers because of their sense of failure to provide financial support to their children and families’.…”

“…An abundance of evidence suggests a scenario where men who desire to be good fathers often find themselves not knowing how to be the fathers they want to be. This is simply because they never experienced life with a father figure, and so had no role model (Adams, 2016; Mncanca, Okeke, & Fletcher, 2016; Richter, 2006; van Rensburg, 2013). Studies also suggest that fathers, irrespective of their ages, are confronted with uncertainty about what it means to be an involved father, let alone how to participate in their children’s lives (Mercer, 2015; Nduna, 2014).…”

The Description of Knowledge, Perception, Role, Role Implementation, Emotional Connection in Psychosexual Development of Children Aged 3-5 Years in New Normal Period at the Suburban of Surabaya

“…In the microsystem, the child is influenced by his/her familyincluding home, father, mother, siblings and other relatives, adults, peers and neighbours. (Bagner, 2013;Conron et al, 2010;Gareth D. Mercer B.Sc., 2015;Kwok & Li, 2015;Leidy et al, 2011;Mncanca & Okeke, 2016;Piotrowska et al, 2017;Roskam et al, 2016).…”