Caring masculinities? Teenage fathers in South Africa

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we examine ways in which a group of teenage fathers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, talk about their involvement in becoming a teenage father. We draw from a qualitative research project based on five focus groups and 20 individual interviews with teenage fathers aged between 17 and 19 years of age. We argue that when teenage fathers talk about their experiences, they locate caring and traditional versions of masculinity in understanding their roles. These versions of masculinity are socially and culturally located which both expand and constrict teenage fatherhood and caring masculinities. We conclude with some implications for addressing teenage men in the construction of masculinities.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• sexuality
• teenage fathers
• teenage pregnancy
• masculinities
• South Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa [98407].