Exploring the involvement of non-resident fathers and their perception of parenting children aged 0-3 years from single mother households in eThekwini, South Africa.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Many South African children are raised in single-mother households with the limited and sometimes no involvement of their fathers. With not more than 29% of young African children live with both biological parents and 46% live with their mothers only but not their fathers. These figures emphasize the limited presence of biological fathers in the lives of their children at young age. Additionally, their participation in parenting children aged 0-3 years was found unsatisfactory compared to older children. Evidence from research confirms that children aged 0-3 years are most vulnerable, and this is a substantial period for a child to respond to the environment, affectionateness, and responsive interactions with adults. Therefore, non-resident fathers’ involvement in this significant stage of the child’s development is significant. Other view suggests that regardless of many fathers being absent in residences where their children are residing, they are involved in their children's lives. Hence the study investigated their involvement. The study explored the involvement of non-resident fathers and their perception of parenting children aged 0-3 years from single mother households in eThekwini, South Africa. This qualitative study recruited fifteen non-resident fathers as participants through purposive sampling. The data was gathered using telephonic semi-structured interviews. The audio-taped data was transcribed, coded and interpreted to generate themes, categories and sub-categories. The results of the study indicate that the provider role was a dominant responsibility which connected non-resident fathers to their children. However, interacting with their children and spending quality time with the child was perceived by the non-resident fathers as their primary responsibility. Therefore, both non-financial and financial roles were perceived as active ways through which non-resident fathers participate and remain involved in parenting. Regardless of the physical distance between the child and the non-resident father, father’s involvement was playing their roles and responsibilities should always remain. This study recommends that coordinated efforts by the government, traditional authorities, non-resident fathers, single mothers, extended families and the community at large is needed to encourage the involvement of non-resident fathers in parenting their children from single mother households. Moreover, a healthy relationship and communication between biological mothers and non-resident fathers is critical in encouraging fathers’ involvement