Re-imagining Culture and Masculinity through the Lens of Teenage Fathers in Eldorado Village of South Africa

The growing rate of teenage fatherhood in South Africa has been portrayed as a product of several social-political factors, particularly the broken system of racial injustice and economic inequality. In such discussions, scholars argue that the racialised social-political structures of apartheid and the corresponding persistent economic inequalities set the path for a distorted understanding of parenthood and the normalisation of teenage fatherhood. The current study is an extension of such argument. Drawing from the experiences of four purposefully selected teenage fathers at Eldorado village in the Limpopo province of South Africa, the study investigates how similar resources, such as peer interactions and cultural expectations, set the contexts and form the basis for teenagers’ fatherhood identity. These elements the study finds, interact with the existing racialised political structures of apartheid, to influence the motivations and aspirations for fatherhood in their community. Being exposed to early parenthood due to cultural expectations and family background, potential teenage fathers are further encouraged to accept teenage fatherhood and assume biological responsibilities due to added socio-economic challenges that are associated with raising their children within their community. Based on these findings, the study recommends that schools create conducive and supportive environments to re-orient potential young parents, facilitate a working relationship with various stakeholders, and initiate program for schools to help already evolved teenage fathers. Keywords: Challenges, Culture, Fatherhood, Masculinity, Teenage Fatherhood, Teenage Parenthood