Non-resident fathers ‘still have crucial parenting role’

ABOUT 36% of South African children live in the same household as their biological fathers, according to a report by Sonke Gender Justice and the Human Sciences Research Council.

Moving away from the deficit model of absent fatherhood, the report focused on the involvement of non-resident biological and social fathers in parenting and care giving.

It found that 36% of children in South Africa lived in the same household as their biological fathers, while 35% lived in the same household as men who were not their biological fathers.

It said a man might not live with his biological children, but could still be integrally involved in their lives..

Various historical trajectories of fatherhood shaped current fathering practises, the report stated, and childcare work remained largely understood as a woman’s role.

“But many men are involved in childcare and want to be more involved.

“The history of fatherhood shows men have historically played an important role in parenting, often as a lesser partner to wives, mothers, aunts and domestic workers.” – Mercury Correspondent