Prevalence and Characteristics of Unresolved Paternal Identity in Families of a South African Community

Nduna, Mzikazi; Kasese-Hara, Mambwe; Ndebele, Misheck; Pillay, Noleen; Manala, Leseho

doi:10.1080/14330237.2011.10820503

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Though based on small numbers and reflecting an already vulnerable population, research from Johannesburg found the problem of undisclosed paternal identity affected 17 out of 57 (30%) families (Nduna et al, 2011). Regardless of the presence of a social father and problems related to unresolved paternity, some children want to know their true biological fathers (Datta, 2007;Langa, 2010;Nduna & Jewkes, 2011b).…”

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confidence: 97%

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Factors That Hinder Paternity Disclosure to Children: South African Mothers’ Perspectives

Nduna

2014

Journal of Feminist Family Therapy

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Undisclosed father identity is prominent among South African children growing up without a biological father. Reasons for paternity non-disclosure are not well-understood. Findings from three focus group discussions with 30 mothers and guardians, aged 25 to 35, from Johannesburg, South Africa identified factors that hinder paternity disclosure to children. Disclosure of father identity was difficult when there was denial of paternity, when the mother got pregnant by a married man, and when the whereabouts of the father was unknown. Fear of betraying the trust of family members also prevented disclosure. Undisclosed paternity is strongly woven with larger-scale cultural, social, and economic factors. Findings support the need to strengthen family planning, address gender-based violence, and women's economic dependence on their male partners in order for paternity disclosure to be safe. Clinical implications are discussed.

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confidence: 97%

“…Factors That Hinder Paternity Disclosure to Children 219 2011b; Nduna, Kasese-Hara, Ndebele, & Pillay, 2011). Though based on small numbers and reflecting an already vulnerable population, research from Johannesburg found the problem of undisclosed paternal identity affected 17 out of 57 (30%) families (Nduna et al, 2011).…”

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confidence: 98%

Factors That Hinder Paternity Disclosure to Children: South African Mothers’ Perspectives

Nduna

2014

Journal of Feminist Family Therapy

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“…However, some children do not know or live with their fathers or father figures. The stigma of having an absent father impacts negatively on children (Khunou, 2008;Langa, 2010;Nduna, Kasese-Hara, Ndebele & Pillay, 2011;Nduna & Jewkes, 2011). Children may experience feelings of shame and illegitimacy when they do not know their fathers (Langa, 2010), or even be envious of others who know or live with their own fathers.…”

Section: Paternal Caregivingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distance Parenting – Implications for Social Work Practice

Seepamore

2016

SWORK

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Many families in the Global South are inclined to split in order to survive the complex socio-economic conditions in which they find themselves. Labour migration is entrenched in South Africa and so is parenting from a distance. This paper contests the normalisation of split families and distance parenting, and considers the associated implications for children, their parents and substitute caregivers. It further discusses the persistence of stereotypical gender roles in parenting, even where both parents are absent from home. Finally, some recommendations are made for both practitioners and policy makers in relation to distance parenting.

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“…In some cases, where children do not know their biological fathers this is due to insurmountable factors such as stranger-rape or the unknown whereabouts of the putative father; however, in other cases, the father and his whereabouts are known to the mother, the maternal family and others but concealed from the child [13][14][15]. Sometimes children embark on their own search and find out about the father; in other cases, the father reappears to claim his fatherhood status [10,15]. Undisclosed father identity can be an open secret as accounts of accidental disclosures through drunken family members, strangers and *Address correspondence to this author at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; Tel: +27 11 7174471; Fax: +27 11 7174473; E-mail: Motlalepule.Nathane-Taulela@wits.ac.za also inadvertent involvement in an incestuous relationship are reported [7] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a small sample of guardians recruited from a communitybased care centre for orphaned and vulnerable children in a township outside Johannesburg, 31.5% of respondents reported that they lived with a child under their care who did not know his or her father [10]. As children with absent fathers grow so does their personal awareness of identity, family and kinship and an interest in wanting to know about their absent fathers [4,7][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Women’s Experiences Following Discovering a Biological Father in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Nathane-Taulela¹,

Nduna²

2014

TOFAMSJ

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Abstract:In South Africa, it has been established that a high number and growing proportion of children are growing up without fathers in their lives. Research suggests that some children who grow up without their biological fathers seek to know them during adolescence. Some discover them whilst others never do. This paper aimed to investigate experiences of young women who discover their fathers during adolescence.We undertook a qualitative study in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa to understand experiences of children who grow up with absent fathers. We conducted face-to-face, gender-matched interviews with young women aged 15 to 26. Five case studies are presented here. We used Topical structural analysis to examine the narratives.Findings reveal that mother or someone else from the maternal family was instrumental in the disclosure of the father's identity. Four topics that cover the resultant experiences in relation to the father were; a weak or no relationship formed, a positive relationship was formed, the child was disinterested or the mother barred regular visits to the father.This study concludes that the maternal family context, reasons for father absence, how the disclosure happened influence experiences that follow discovering one's father. Forming a positive relationship with the father depended on the child and father's common interest.

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Prevalence and Characteristics of Unresolved Paternal Identity in Families of a South African Community

Cited by 8 publications

References 14 publications

Factors That Hinder Paternity Disclosure to Children: South African Mothers’ Perspectives

Factors That Hinder Paternity Disclosure to Children: South African Mothers’ Perspectives

Distance Parenting – Implications for Social Work Practice

Young Women’s Experiences Following Discovering a Biological Father in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

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