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All
to often young fathers, simply because of their age fade away into
the background. They tend to be an `invisible` group, receiving
little encouragement or acknowledgement by others.
Society
often sees young fathers in a negative light; they feel undervalued,
disregarded, excluded.
Not
surprisingly, they often react by withdrawing, losing self-esteem
and confidence and as we have mentioned already, this is a similar
reaction other fathers have within this transition into fatherhood.
It
may be more extreme than other fathers, and many young fathers play
the uncaring, uncommitted role, which society seem to cast them
in.
`Investing
in Fathers`
also recognises there are many men, young men included who become
` serial fathers`, that is men who have short relationships where
the girl/women becomes pregnant, the relationship ends, he moves
on to the next relationship. These
men need support from a different source.
There
is another type of young father however, who we recognise wants
to be there for his partner and baby, who wants to be a father for
the `longer term` to `stay the distance`, yet he cannot for whatever
reason live with them.
Our
research suggests that:
•
Many
young fathers want to become involved with their children right
from the start, rather than waiting until the child is older.
•
Many
young fathers are denied access to their baby for reasons such as
personal relationships with partners and families.
•
Many young men find the transition to fatherhood confusing, they
lack clear information and support from family and professionals,
and this increases their sense of alienation from their baby.
Many
young fathers are teenagers and continue to deal with the effects
of the process of becoming a man, a natural process that is confusing
in itself.
At
this time the body is flooded with the hormone testosterone causing
many changes, preparing for the change from boyhood into manhood,
which includes his feelings about many things, especially about
sexuality and relationships.
That’s
where the website comes in - if you become a member by simply filling
in the form, which adds to our research, no
payment and complete confidentiality.
There
is a national and international drive to support and recognise fathers
of all ages, they play a major part in the future generation, you
and your children's generation.
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