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RESEARCH by the University of Johannesburg and non-governmental organisation Sonke Gender Justice found that absent fathers wanted to be more than ATMs to their children.

The research conducted with 40 absent fathers in Alexandra, in Doornkop, Tembisa and Devland in Soweto, shows that fathers are often regarded solely as providers and are not expected to play other roles in their children's lives.

The Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at UJ and Sonke Gender Justice Network conducted an exploratory study to examine absent fathers' understanding of fatherhood, their perceptions of the causes and consequences of being an absent father and their proposed solutions to this problem.

More than half of South African children live without their fathers.

CSDA's Eddy Mavungu said: "When fathers are involved in their child's care, education and recreation,, and are more emotionally connected, it is more likely that they will also provide financial and material support.

"Men are capable of so much more - but they need to be supported and enabled to do so.

"Mothers, children and fathers will benefit from closer relationships with their children."

According to the researchers the emphasis on fathers' financial contribution is also reflected in practices that require fathers to pay damages or lobola before being accepted as parents and allowed access to their children.

Costs related to lobola and damages have become obstacles preventing these men from being involved in their children's lives.

"These perceptions of fathers solely as providers must be challenged if fathers are to engage more meaningfully with their children and share care responsibilities with mothers," said Desmond Lesejane of Sonke Gender Justice Network.

"While it is imperative that men honour their responsibilities and ensure that they prioritise financial contributions, there are many other ways in which a man can be involved in the life of his children, including ensuring that he treats his partner and children with respect and never uses violence."

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Comments

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Wed May 22 14:16:17 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 18, 2012

Ann

no.. they are just sper*m donors...
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Jun 18, 2012

tpaz

Why have a kids outside marriage? That is the problem-there is no commitment.
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Jun 18, 2012

Ditete

You cannot force love, an IDIOT who leaves his child behind will need that child somewhere in the future its called KARMA

But at the same token minority of mothers play a role in the disappearance of the father by trying to get pregnant without the fathers consent its fact and you know

but those other IDIOT KARMA is coming for you baby yeah!!!
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Jun 18, 2012

mambaaai

@Ann
no.. they are just sper*m donors...
@tpaz
Why have a kids outside marriage? That is the problem-there is no commitment
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when one reads the title ATMS money and fathers not being alowed to see their children....along with your two comments..... makes one wonder if women cant be narrow eyed scheemers............
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Jun 18, 2012

Mar10

@ Ditete
But at the same token minority of mothers play a role in the disappearance of the father by trying to get pregnant without the fathers consent its fact and you know

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How does a woman fall pregnant without a man's consent? it takes 2 to tango...
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Jun 18, 2012

MommaC

Depends on the father. Some are able to provide good role models for their kids and others aren't.

A strong male role model is essential for a child to grow up well adjusted. That doesn't have to be the father but it is best if it is. Women should stop thinking with their hormones and start thinking with their brains. It is, after all, our choice. Chose the right men for the sake of your children.
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Jun 18, 2012

somaartakeit

More than half of SA's children live without their fathers? this translates to me that more than half SAn women breed irresponsibly, in other words with losers so that makes them losers too, to the detriment of their children.
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Jun 18, 2012

PleaseGetReal1

I would also like to know in this study how many of the father's and mothers had jobs or live on grants. This is what really peeves me when people still scream poverty but they multiply without thinking.
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Jun 18, 2012

Usernamee

@tpaz
Why have a kids outside marriage? That is the problem-there is no commitment.
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Marriage doesn't guarantee that everything will work. There are so many people who were married but are today divorced and kids are involved.

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Jun 18, 2012

BaleliM

There is more to this than what meets the eye. Most men out their take their frustrations by refusing to be part of the kids lives whilst we have women that do anything to ensure that these men are not part of the kids lives.
I wish parents could look at the bigger picture and swallow their issues and ensure that the kids are their priorities.
Whe elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers most.
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