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| Adolescent Fathers |
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| Research on adolescent fathers is an area that has been neglected according to Miller (1997), as studies on adolescent parenting have focused on mothers and ignored fathers. From an ecological perspective, several key factors are identified which influence the involvement of adolescent fathers. These are the relationship between external systems and the functions of the family; social influences; father's role within the family and the community; as well as barriers preventing father's involvement (McAdoo, 1993) (Miller 1997, p56). This suggests that parental behaviour and stresses can be attributed to environmental and cultural influences. Some of the stresses identified by fathers, which impacted on their ability to respond to parental demands, included emotional rejection from their partner, being blamed for the pregnancy, parental responsibility, feeling guilty or anxious (Miller, 1997). They also felt abandoned and isolated by their male peers and community services. Miller (1997) suggests fathers should be involved in decision making processes during pregnancy and births, as it increased likelihood of parental involvement after the birth (Elster & Lamb, 1982; Vaz, Smolen & Miller 1983, cited in Miller, 1997).
Research evidence also suggests that parental involvement by fathers had a tendency to decline over a period of time. This was attributed to the breakdown of relationship with their child's mother and other family members. The multiple factors that contributed to restricted involvement by father' s were identified as external factors, such as undesirable reactions from maternal grandparents.
According to Miller (1997), the current climate which recognises the contribution fathers are able to make for improving family stability and child development, has implications in terms of policy and service provision. Miller (1997) argues that programs for adolescent parents such as child development and parenting classes often exclude or limit the father's involvement. Therefore similar programs should be made available for fathers, to encourage their involvement (Miller, 1997, p66).
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