Adolescence Fatherhood Issues
Aiding Fathers In Overcoming Obstacles To Fulfilling Their Fatherly Duties.
We are addressing the longstanding oversight of adolescent males in discussions surrounding pregnancy and fatherhood. By focusing on the neglect of males’ involvement during pregnancy, birth, and childrearing, we aim to shed light on the structural and social factors that contribute to this issue. With a focus on adolescent fathers’ engagement with their children, we hope to encourage a better understanding of the issues and pave the way for more effective prevention, intervention, and community programs.
Risking the Future
Adolescent male has been ignored in previous dialogue and conversations about pregnancy since teenage pregnancy and childbearing has traditionally been viewed as a female issue. It is widely acknowledged that federal and state laws and welfare regulations have disincentivized the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children. This situation is part of a larger problem, namely the relative prior neglect of males' involvement during pregnancy, birth, and childrearing in general, among all age groups.
Reason For Early Neglect
One of the reasons for prior neglect of adolescent fathers has been the lack of focus on the male role during pregnancy, childbirth, childrearing, and childhood. Structural social services and programs, along with social prejudicial factors specific to adolescent fathers, have the potential to be addressed and improved, leading to a reduction in neglect. Adolescent fathers could grow and learn during the time of conception and birth and can work towards being included in the birth and early care of their infants. This can be seen as an opportunity for society to challenge and overcome the social prejudice surrounding pregnancy and childbirth among unmarried teenagers.
Central To The Problem
Environmental factors influencing adolescent fatherhood include complex family dynamics and socioeconomic status, which influence school absenteeism and dropout, educational attainment, criminal activity, deviant behavior, and drug use, all of which are associated with higher levels of adolescent sexual activity and an increase in childbearing among adolescent males.
Summary & Recommendation
The extent and nature of no interaction with the young father have been found to impact infants' thoughts, behavior (attitude), and social development. Hence, it can be suggested that a relationship may indicate that the engagement of the young father with their child(ren) could potentially contribute to their child's thinking, behavior (attitude), and social growth.
Current research suggests that adolescent males are generally not ready for fatherhood. Programs such as "A Father's Legacy" and others, intend to bridge that gap to achieve success in reducing the future risk of fatherlessness. By increasing our attention to the positive role of males in adolescent pregnancy, childbearing, and childrearing, we can gain a better understanding of the issues and be guided toward more effective prevention, intervention, and community programs.
Reference:
Chideya, Y., & Williams, F. (2014). Adolescent Fathers: Exploring their perceptions of their role as a parent. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 49(2). https://doi.org/10.15270/49-2-65
Nathanson, C. A., & Hayes, C. D. (1987). Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 49(4), 949. https://doi.org/10.2307/351990
