Johannesburg - The South African black community is suffering from a “fatherhood crisis” caused by the apartheid regime and colonialism.
University of SA (Unisa) professor of psychology Puleng Segalo says the brutality of apartheid on the African family structure was so toxic that it affected the roles of males in their family and perpetuated the culture of absent fatherhood as a norm.
Segalo’s remarks come as the country marked Father’s Day on Sunday.
“The history of South Africa is complicated … structural issues that affected family life, particularly black families, because of forced removals and migrant labour,” Segalo said.
“In most instances black mothers had to play the role of both mother and father because of the nature of the disruption of the family structure.”
According to Segalo, this was one reason Mother’s Day was more popular than Father’s Day.
“We are still playing catch-up in rebuilding a family structure that has contributed to the lack of confidence in families’ fathers. They were not absent because they wanted to but because of circumstances. So it is a challenge we are working towards resolving as we rebuild communities.”
Segalo said the culture of absent fatherhood was being passed down from one generation to the other in the black community subconsciously partly because of the trauma of those who suffered the absence of fathers while growing up.
“Apartheid affected the economic independence of people. We live in a patriarchal society where there is pressure on men. What happens when a man can’t provide? Some people start drinking; some disappear. Multiple factors contribute to the challenges of fatherhood …”
“In most instances those who grow up without fathers would become resentful of male figures which contributes to trends such as #MenAreTrash.
“If you are a child and you grow up without a father you become resentful. It’s more visible in the black community because we are the majority and black people are often scrutinised. Even research would focus on black people although it could be happening in other racial groups.”
Segalo said it would take a number of years to rearrange the massive imbalance caused by apartheid on the African family structure.
Meanwhile, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu held a webinar on fatherhood in South Africa on Fathers’ Day. Her department said: “The upbringing of children is the full responsibility of both parents unless a court determines otherwise. Many children in South Africa grow up without the presence of their fathers. This, in some instances, affects their care and protection.”
The Star