Insights into Young Fathers' Experiences and Challenges
Explore the journey of young fathers through qualitative longitudinal research methods. Uncover their struggles, aspirations, and commitment to parenthood despite adversities. Discover key findings highlighting the need for professional support and mentoring. Witness the stories of resilience and growth as these young men navigate the complexities of becoming fathers.
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Bren Neale University of Leeds SSP seminar presentation March 2013.
Following Young Fathers Baseline study (2010-12). Funded under the ESRC Timescapes Initiative for Qualitative Longitudinal Research (University of Leeds). Intensive tracking of 12 young men aged 15-22 over 18 months. 3 waves of in depth interviews, focus groups and ethnographic methods. Investigated life histories and life course changes, transition to parenthood, family values and practices, life trajectories and life chances.
Methodology Use of qualitative longitudinal methods of data gathering and policy engagement.
Becoming a Young Father I want to be the person who [my son] can turn to. And who, obviously, who is always gonna be there for him. ... You know, when I ve got him, and when he does something, when s he s growing up, you know, its the happiest emotion cause you just wanna give him a kiss and a cuddle. He s my little man ... He s so - you feel really proud. Really, really proud. (Dominic 18).
Key findings young men highly committed to being good dads, despite ... Difficult childhoods, chaotic lives; unplanned pregnancies, conflicting identities; poverty, limited opportunities; short time horizons, volatile partnerships and family relationships; High levels of professional support needed, including one to one mentoring.
Hard Lives It were kind of hard growing up.. I had to go and live with my dad and I didn t have a choice. My mum tried getting me back, but she couldn t. [Adam 16] We moved around a lot... I got into a lot of fights. I were in hospital all the time with [injuries] and its just bouncing around from house to house and getting into trouble all the time. [Darren 22]
Adjusting to parenthood If I m honest, before he was born I was a bit negative. I didn t want to be a dad cause for starters I m unemployed. So I can t give him best possible life. But obviously I can do something about that. But its quite crazy. Once he were born and I seen him, like, it changes everything [Johnny 22]. Abortions I don t believe in all that. So end of day you have to cope. [Darren 22]
Lack of resources I m the one whose meant to support the baby. Obviously without my mother s support ... I don t know where I would have got the money [Senwe 19] I m always asking for money. It pisses me off, cause I need a job. But everywhere I go it s, We ain t got no work [Richard 20] I ve saved up to buy some nappies [Adam]
Professional Support I don t know where I d be without him. He helps with everything, listens to me. He s become like a mate [Dominic 18]. The social, we need to get them off our backs, they don t listen. Make me feel like a kid [Adam 16]
The Following Fathers study ESRC funded study of young fatherhood. Sample: 12 teenage fathers- aged 15 to 22- intensive tracking using in depth interviews and ethnographic methods, over 18 months, to investigate family values and practices, life trajectories and life chances. Funded under Timescapes and extended to 2015 to scale up (sample of 25) and extend longitudinal reach Close collaboration with practitioners in the research: design, outputs, sample maintenance
Following Young Fathers Intensive tracking reveals volatility and contingencies of their lives, challenging backgrounds, lack of family support, short time horizons, Huge significance attached to their children, strong desire to be good dads, sense of a future opens up through new generation, Support needs identified in collaboration with local practitioners practice based research, research based practice.
Fundamental aim of research: To make a difference in the real world: a value- committed approach to social change: a contribution to passionate scholarship We hold out this hope ... That we do whatever we do with passion and a belief that our scholarship can make a difference: that is, move people to action (Holstein and Minkler 2003: 26)
Impact in Following Fathers Move from knowledge transfer, to knowledge exchange to joint knowledge production briefing paper, feeds into service delivery plan, joint ownership and presentation of the research. Research tools adopted by the practitioners: timelines as tools to think with helping to forge new aspirations; new ways of seeing young men through the lens of the life course/time horizons. Intensive tracking uncovers tenor of daily lives and has impact on young men over time
