Description: This data file contains 52 transcripts of interviews with young fathers and 4 transcripts of social network interviews of young fathers' social support networks.

This data set is not available for download any more. Please contact datahelp@hsrc.ac.za for enquiries. Abstract: This study, funded by Save the Children Sweden, provides an in-depth portrait of the representations and experiences of impoverished young men in the South African context who became fathers as teenagers. Specifically, it answered the following two, closely related research questions: 'How do young men living in poverty, and those ecologically involved with them, experience fatherhood?' and 'What are the factors that help or hinder young men's engagement in the parenting of their children?' It aimed to document and analyze young men's experiences from finding out about their impending fatherhood, to recording the changing nature of their primary relationships (with partners, parents, school and community) within their social networks. It attempted to distinguish the various ways in which young men engaged with their children, and looked for how patterns of engagement vary depending on the level of family and community support, educational levels and employment status, as well as on other broader social and environmental factors (such as religion and culture).

Digital audio recording

Face-to-face interview

Young fathers from impoverished circumstances, between the ages of 14 and 20 at the time of having a child and members of 4 of the young father's social networks.

Snowball sampling method was used; The study proceeded in three phases. First phase: sample of 27 'black' and 'coloured' young fathers living in the context of poverty in the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. Second phase: Four young men agreed to participate in the second phase of the study which entailed interviewing members of their social networks. Third phase: Workshop with the young fathers who participated in the study.