In the fifth chapter, the researcher presented and discussed the findings of research, after data collection and data analysis had taken place. The audio-recorded collected data, was verbatim transcribed and analysed. This followed with the emerged themes being described in detail. The findings of this study concluded by highlighting a more involved, responsible father who now shares in parenthood after exposure to the fatherhood intervention programme. These findings were concluded based on five themes: Constructions of fatherhood; Experiences of the fatherhood intervention programme; Father’s experiences of the Father-child relationship after exposure to the programme; Spouse/partner perceptions and experiences of their relationships with their spouse after exposure to the programmeand Facilitator’s experiences of engaging father’s.
6.2.5.1. Theme 1: Constructions of fatherhood
The overall outcomes of this study have shown that the families participating in the study had perceived and experienced the fathers to be more involved, responsible and sharing in parenthood after exposure to the fatherhood intervention programme. This theme was described by four sub-themes namely; Fathers
experiences of a new fatherhood, whereby the findings suggest that the father’s
express several different descriptions when defining themselves as fathers after exposure to the fatherhood intervention programme. Fathers’ perceptions of their
roles, the fathers described themselves with multiple fathering roles such as father
in a supporter role and providing emotional, financial and physical support. Fathers
learning about themselves, through fathers participating in the intervention
programme they were presented with the opportunity to start to acknowledge and unlearn some of the traditional fathering practises, which had been role-modelled to them whilst growing up. Fathers challenges with unemployment, the study revealed that most of the fathers in the research study were unemployed at the time of undergoing the fatherhood intervention programme; however, as a result of participating in the fatherhood intervention programme had the opportunity to be supported by the programme, a personal need was being met and it was beneficial to their families. Whilst the employed fathers in the study were able to complete the fatherhood programme amongst attending to competing responsibilities such as their job and family life.
6.2.5.2. Theme 2: Experiences and perceptions of the fatherhood intervention programme
The findings for this study have established that after being exposed to the fatherhood intervention programme; father involvement with children, their spouse/partner and involvement in the home increased. This theme was further supported by the following three sub-themes; Fathers communicating with their
families - the findings of the current study found three different positions; where
one father never informed his wife about his involvement in the programme, some never told their spouses/partners at the outset but rather later as the programme progressed; whilst most of the fathers kept their spouses/partners informed from the outset. If spouses/partners have bought into the programme, they may be more likely to encourage the father’s attendance and to support the implementation of the fatherhood intervention programme in the home. Spouse/partner perceptions of the
programme, this finding confirms that for some of the fathers who willingly shared
with their spouses/partners the information they received; this level of openness and communication about the programme began to open up spaces for the notion of new fatherhood. By these fathers sharing with their spouses/partners, they began to create a space for engaging on what they have learnt in the fatherhood programme. Experiences of father’s implementation of the programme with the
children, spouse/partner and in the home, the findings indicate that there has been
a change in the father’s behaviour with regards to their levels of involvement before
6.2.5.3. Theme 3: Father’s experiences of the Father-child relationship after exposure to the programme
The quality of the father-child relationship for the fathers are described in two sub- themes; emotional attachment, the findings under this sub-theme show that both the fathers and their spouses/partners place high value on the increased quality in the relationship, bonding and support that fathers are now able to express to their children, after exposure to the intervention. Involvement in childcare: as a result of the fathers’ experiences of being exposed to a fatherhood intervention programme,
the fathers became more involved in the lives and day to day activities of their children and in their home. Results highlighted increased father involvement in childcare activities, school work and well-being of the children.
6.2.5.4. Theme 4: Spouse/partner perceptions and experiences of their relationships with their spouse after exposure to the programme The spouse/partner relationships were examined through the sub-themes; co-
parenting and reduced parenting stress and improvement in quality of relationships. Women who are supported in stable partnerships with men
experience lower levels of family stress and the findings of the current study prove a reduction in mother’s stress in relation to improved co-parenting roles. Some
husbands in the study learnt new skills to communicate better with their spouse. These findings prove an improvement in the quality of the relationship between the fathers and their spouses/partners in relation to the fathers’ involvement in
6.2.5.5. Theme 5: Facilitator’s experiences of engaging fathers.
The final theme emerged as the researcher engaged the fatherhood programme facilitators and it is based on two sub-themes which analyses the programme
recruitment, follow up and ongoing support and challenges in working with fathers.
The findings prove that the fathers and their families had a certain expectation that even after the completion of the intervention, that some kind of follow up or support services or even on-going services would be provided. The programme facilitators confirmed this by explaining that counselling services and support groups are offered to father’s in certain areas; however, it is not compulsory neither is it offered as a package to the father and he’s family. Participation and completion of the
fatherhood intervention programme also lead to exposure to other components, which are part of the service being offered, such as counselling services with the social worker and ongoing support being made available in the form of a support group. The facilitators expressed the following challenges in their experiences of working with fathers; unwillingness by fathers to engage and open up, lack of participation and commitment to the programme, high drop-out rates, lack of interest, and the need for counselling exists as individual barriers cannot be dealt with in a group setting.