How do young aboriginal fathers in Australia ‘stay on track’? – Perspectives on the support networks of aboriginal fathers

ABSTRACT

Scholarship dedicated to documenting the roles and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian fathers is scarce, with most works focusing on rural and remote areas, with little dedicated to Aboriginal fathers living in regional and urban areas. Utilizing and building upon the preliminary research undertaken the University of Newcastle’s ‘Stayin’ On Track’ programme, which seeks to provide online support and assistance to young Aboriginal fathers, this paper brings to light the unique challenges and sources of support afforded to young Aboriginal fathers from regional and urban New South Wales. It finds that, contrary to prevailing stereotypes, Aboriginal fathers respond favourably to the demand for paternal responsibility, which can take on meanings of masculinity as well as respect towards Elders. Furthermore, these fathers demonstrate a keen awareness of their Aboriginality, referencing the benefits of large, close-knit families and their tendency to support fathers and co-raise children.

KEYWORDS:

• Fathers
• fatherhood
• parenting
• Indigenokus
• aboriginal
• Australia
• children
• babies
• urban
• regional

Acknowledgements

We acknowledgement the invaluable contribution made by the young Aboriginal fathers to the Stayin on Track project: Jordon Hammond, Howard Matthews, William Smith, Jerome Hammond, Jake Briggs, Marley Markie, Brandon Johnson, Patrick Strong, Dheran Knox, Brandon Johnson, Bradley Flanders, Bartonlee Stanton, Justin Cain, Jye Milgate, James Smith, Thomas Duncan, Shaquille Pitt, Trevor Tighe and Kevin Thomson. We also thank St Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, Moree; Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service; and Awabakal Ltd Newcastle for their support and involvement. The Stayin on Track project was funded by The University of Newcastle and the Young and Well Research Co-operative.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The University of Newcastle [grant number 2016]; The Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre [grant number 2016].