Social Work

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Browsing Social Work by Subject "absenteeism"

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    The experiences of teenage boys on biological father absenteeism in Ngwelezane township
    (University of Zululand, 2019) Hadebe, Nondumiso Yolande
    The main aim of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of teenage boys with father absenteeism in Ngwelezane Township. The research followed a qualitative research approach. Twenty participants were purposefully selected from two high schools in Ngwelezane. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and yielded results which showed that the teenage boys were facing various challenges. The findings highlighted that some of the reasons for father absenteeism were due to death and living in different places from their fathers. Regarding the challenges, the study found that teenage boys were struggling economically in terms of paying school fees and stationery, uniform and transport fees, clothes, cosmetics and food. As a result, they had behavioural problems, academic difficulties and other emotional implications. Finally, it was found that teenage boys relied on the support of families, peers and the community as their coping mechanisms. The increasing absence of father figures has brought attention to the consequences of this phenomenon. Based on the findings of this study and a review of existing literature, the researcher recommends that more social workers should be appointed in schools to identify and intervene where the phenomenon of teenage boys experiencing father absenteeism is identified. Teachers and parents need to be made aware of the effects of this phenomenon. Communities should also encourage men to act as role models in the lives of such teenage boys. In addition, therapy for fathers who have not had the education to fulfil their role as a father should be provided. Finally, there is a need for parenting skills and support programmes for single mothers to assist them in the managing of their teenage sons. Their sons also need training in relationship-building as they appear to lack the skills needed to build healthy relationships.
University of Zululand