Fatherhood in adolescence: the family as a social support network

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Fatherhood in adolescence: the family as a social support network¹

Paternidade na adolescência: a família como rede social de apoio

Paternidad en la adolescencia: la familia como una red de apoyo social

Maria Emilia Nunes Bueno^I; Sonia Maria Könzgen Meincke^II; Eda Schwartz^III; Marilu Correa Soares^IV; Ana Cândida Lopes Corrêa^V

^IDoctoral Student of the Nursing Graduate Programa t Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^IIPh.D. in Nursing. Adjunct Professor II, Faculty of Nursing, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^IIIPh.D. in Nursing. Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, UFPel. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^IVPh.D. in Public Health Nursing. Adjunct Professor II, Faculty of Nursing, UFPel. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^VMaster student of the Nursing Graduate Program - UFPel. Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail]

Correspondence

ABSTRACT

This study is an excerpt of the multicenter study "Redes sociais de apoio à paternidade na adolescência" (Social support networks for fatherhood in adolescence), which aimed at learning about the social support networks available to young fathers. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach is used. The participants were fourteen adolescent fathers whose children were born in a teaching hospital of a public university in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were pre-scheduled and took place at the subjects' homes six months after their children were born, between June 2009 and June 2010. The data demonstrate that the support network for fathers in adolescence was comprised mainly of parents, mothers-in-law, stepparents and siblings. The identified supportive actions were financial and psychological in nature, provided mainly by mothers or mothers-in-law. The family was considered the main support network for adolescents experiencing fatherhood.

Descriptors: Nursing. Fatherhood. Adolescence. Support network.

RESUMO

O presente estudo é um recorte da pesquisa multicêntrica intitulada "Redes sociais de apoio à paternidade na adolescência", que buscou conhecer as redes de apoio à paternidade na adolescência. Apresenta uma abordagem qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva. Participaram do estudo 14 pais adolescentes que tiveram seus filhos em um hospital de ensino de uma universidade pública do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As entrevistas semiestruturadas foram pré-agendadas e ocorreram no domicílio dos sujeitos, seis meses após o nascimento do filho, no período de junho de 2009 a junho de 2010. Os dados evidenciaram que a rede de apoio dos pais adolescentes estava alicerçada principalmente nos pais, sogras, padrastos e irmãos. As ações de apoio identificadas foram de natureza psicológica e financeira, oriundas, principalmente, das mães ou sogras. A família foi considerada a principal rede de apoio para a vivência da paternidade na adolescência.

Descritores: Enfermagem. Paternidade. Adolescente. Apoio social.

RESUMEN

Este estudio es un recorte de la pesquisa multicéntrica titulada "Redes sociales de apoyo a la paternidad en la adolescencia", que buscó conocer las redes de apoyo a la paternidad en la adolescencia. Presenta un abordaje cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo. Participaron del estudio 14 padres adolescentes que tuvieron sus hijos en un hospital de enseñanza universitario público del Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Las entrevistas semiestructuradas fueron pre programadas y ocurrieron en el domicilio de los sujetos, seis meses después del nacimiento del hijo, en el periodo de junio de 2009 hasta julio de 2010. Los datos evidenciaron que la red de apoyo de los padres adolescentes recaía principalmente en los padres, suegras, padrastros y hermanos. Las acciones de apoyo identificadas fueron de naturaleza psicológica, financiera, oriundas, principalmente, de las madres y suegras. La familia fue considerada la principal red de apoyo para la vivencia de la paternidad en la adolescencia.

Descriptores: Enfermería; Paternidad; Adolescente; Apoyo Social.

INTRODUCTION

Becoming a father involves establishing a relationship between two people through multiple interactions, particularly people with whom they have the greatest existing affective attachment. During this process, individuals may experience transformations and changes that urge them towards seeking a new identity to express their new role.^1-2

Fatherhood is a relationship that is continuously constructed and reconstructed, and is permeated by a set of different practices that comprise the relationship that is established among people.^1-2 However, when fatherhood occurs during adolescence, it is often seen as a risk factor for stunted growth and development of the human being.

Becoming a father promotes the development of care practices and skills. The acquired experiences are co-constructed with the support that the adolescent father receives from his family, friends and neighbors,² thus comprising the social support network to practice/experience growth in the role of fatherhood during this life phase.

The social network is considered a "system of sequential interaction"^3:65 comprised of people who can offer support. That support is considered to be a function of the social network that promotes one's wellbeing.⁴

The conformity of the interaction established between the members of a social network depends on how those interactions are organized and on when and how they are established and structured.⁵ Adolescents must create those interactions through interpersonal relationships, which may be individualized or integrated within a group. Failure to establish such interactions could lead to problems that will eventually affect the adolescent in adulthood.

In this sense, the social support network can contribute to minimizing the needs that adolescent fathers may present while exercising their role as a father, offering the necessary support for him to excel in his role with the child, family and society, thus contributing towards the development of a healthy family.⁶

It is, therefore, important for adolescent fathers to be able to count on a diversified social support network, comprised of the family, school, friends, community, and healthcare services.

Thus, adolescents experiencing fatherhood can find, in their social support network, the sustenance they need to develop an effective individual and social structure to become a successful parent. In this view, the objective of the present study was to learn about the social support network for adolescents experiencing fatherhood.

METHODOLOGY

This qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study is an excerpt of the multicenter study "Redes sociais de apoio à paternidade na adolescência" (RAPAD) - Social support networks for adolescent fathers

The following inclusion criteria were used: younger than 20 years of age; living in the urban area of the city; agreeing to host the interviewer at their home, and willing to participate in the study. The interviews were pre-scheduled and took place at the subjects' homes six months after their child was born, between June 2009 and June 2010. The interval between the first and second interviews was established in order to observe a period of the adolescent's practice and experience as a father.

Fourteen of the 23 adolescent fathers that participated in the first stage of the RAPAD study took part in the second stage. Five of the former participants could not be located and four did not wish to be interviewed again.

Data collection was performed though semi-structured interviews, as they permit the introduction of basic questionnaires and the further development of other issues that emerge, offering the participants freedom of speech and spontaneity, which enriches the study.⁷

The data were subjected to thematic analysis, identifying the meaning units present in the subjects' statements. In order to do this, three stages were developed: pre-analysis and exploration of the material, treatment of the obtained results, and interpretation. In the first stage, the obtained data were organized to allow a more thorough analysis, and a first reading of the grouped statements was performed. The second stage involved analysis of the categories, which are meaningful words or expressions that organize the content of the statements. The final stage consisted of organizing the data and interpreting them, seeking the meanings and interrelations within the theory.⁷

The RAPAD study was approved by the College of Dentistry Ethics Committee at Federal University of Pelotas, under Protocol number 007/2008. This study complied with all ethical principles, assuring the subjects' anonymity; for this reason, they were identified by fictitious names chosen by the author, followed by their age. For subjects younger than 18 years, their parents or legal guardians were asked to provide written consent, in order to comply with Law 10.406,⁸ of 10 January 2002, of the Brazilian Civil Code.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Bioecological Model guiding the understanding of fatherhood in adolescence

In order to reach a better understanding of the present study data, the Urie Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model, also referred to as PPCT, was considered, which presents the following defining components: the process, the person, the context and the time. This model permits the analysis of the developing human being in interaction with the ecological environment, emphasizing that the proximal processes occur within the contexts, by means of interaction within the different levels of different systems.⁹

Therefore, in the PPCT model, the proximal processes are highlighted, which refer to the reciprocal, progressive, complex interactions that occur over time between an active human being in evolution and the people, objects, and symbols in the immediate external environment. Proximal processes are considered to be the main mechanisms of human development.¹⁰

Therefore, it is understood that this theoretical model addresses human (personal) behavior through the relationships/interactions that one individual establishes with other people/objects/symbols and environments (context) throughout their human development cycle (process) across generations (time). Thus the developmental process of the adolescent father is related to the components defining the PPCT Model.⁹

Bronfenbrenner's Model uses a systemic approach, which allows an understanding of a phenomenon within the context of a greater whole.¹¹ Therefore, in order to understand fatherhood in adolescence it was necessary to observe the adolescent father as a functional whole being interacting within the immediate context of the family (microsystem) and school and community (mesosystem), as well as in environments in which he was not necessarily present, but which could have an indirect effect on the context (exosystem).

Hence, it is understood that the adolescent father experiences a continuous development process through progressive interactions with people, while acting as a father in their proximal environment. It is within this developmental process of adolescents that the family is perceived as a support network, contributing to the adolescent's fatherhood experience.

In this context, based on the present study interviews, the family is highlighted as the main category within the social support network for adolescent fathers, thus originating the thematic unit "Family: a social support network for fatherhood during adolescence".

With the purpose to achieve a better understanding of the study, it was necessary to first outline the demographic and social characteristics of the referred population, which are presented below.

Regarding the subjects' age, six were 19 years old, one was 14, another was 16, and all the others were between 17 and 18 years old. The predominant race was white (seven subjects), while five adolescents self-declared as black and two as brown (pardos). Regarding their civil status, seven fathers reported having a partner at the time of the interview, six reported being single and one reported being separated. In terms of occupation, one father was unemployed, while the others reported holding only an informal job. The average monthly income was two minimum salaries. The minimum salary considered in the present study was R$ 465.00. One of the subjects had a complete primary education level, while the others (13) had an incomplete primary education level.

The data show that the present study population presented a low educational level, considering that only one subject was in school. Furthermore, the data also demonstrated that most of the adolescent fathers held an informal job and lived with their partner, who was the mother of their child.

In a study performed in Rio de Janeiro-RJ, the authors highlighted that few adolescent fathers had a paying job.¹² In the present study, however, although most fathers did have a job, their monthly income was low. These data agree with a study performed in Florianópolis-SC, which compared adult and adolescent fathers, and found that the monthly income of adolescent fathers was significantly lower compared to that of adult fathers.¹³

Studies performed with adolescent fathers highlighted that the main change that took place when fatherhood was achieved was their entrance to the labor market. Most adolescents started to work due to becoming a father because they consider it essential to work in order to comply with their paternal responsibilities in providing for their child.^14-15

Therefore, it can be said that, for the adolescents, having a job reaffirms their transition from adolescence into adulthood, thus contributing towards their commitment to fatherhood.¹⁵

However, in addition to their commitment to work, adolescents also seek support from their family, which contributes to the construction of their experience of fatherhood, promoting the essential psychological support they need, in addition to financial support.

Family: a social support network for fatherhood in adolescence

According to Urie Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model, the family is interrelated with other systems, taking into consideration, in addition to the individual characteristics of the relationships within itself (microsystem), the changes in the more external social context (meso-, exo- and macrosystem) at a given time.⁹

Thus, by analyzing the family as a social support network for adolescents experiencing fatherhood, it can be observed from a systemic perspective by means of the interactions between the adolescent father within his microsystem, as well as in the more external environments. It is highlighted that it is through these interactions that adolescent fathers build their support networks, which refer to the set of relationships that provide support.⁴

Support networks tend to undergo changes according to the sociocultural context, the historical time and the stage of development of the individual and the family.¹⁶ Therefore, during the transition between childhood and adulthood, and because of achieving fatherhood in this stage of human development, changes can occur in the adolescents' social network in terms of the people comprising it, and also regarding the roles they play.

By observing the family from a systemic perspective, it is also understood that the changes that arise in the context of the adolescent father also occur within the family system. During this stage, the families are answering and adjusting to the new demands of the adolescent experiencing fatherhood.¹⁷

In adolescence, fatherhood is experienced according to culture, and is usually founded on family values and feelings that were constructed across generations.⁶ The family in the present study is understood as a "group of people whose members report being part of, and may or may not be connected by, consanguinity and alliance".^18:48

For the adolescents in the present study, the family members most highlighted as forming a supportive network were parents, mothers in law, siblings, grandmothers and godmothers. Other studies have observed a more direct participation of parents and grandparents as providers of financial support in addition to helping to care for the baby.^15,19

It should be emphasized that the quality of the relationships and activities that take place within the family is essential for adolescents in learning to become effective parents. Therefore, in order for the adolescent father to develop within the fatherhood process, good communication between family members is essential, in order to promote and help to establish more effective relationships within the support network.²⁰

The family has a strong influence on the adolescent,^2-19 encouraging him to fully experience the process of fatherhood. This fact is evidenced in the following statements, when the adolescent father reveals the support he receives from the family in the form of conversations and advice: my family, my mother, that's it [...] it's more advice, and talking. How to raise my son from now on; mother's advice. If we need something, now and then, he [father] gives me money to buy it, besides the affection he gives the baby too (Carlos Alberto, 19). My mother in law has helped me, and she still does, and so does my mother. The advise me to get a job; they also talk about people I hang out with, for me to quit that and get a job (Clovis, 19).

It is observed that, through conversations and advice, family members try to pass on their socially constructed values and valued behaviors, aiming to establish a strong attachment with the adolescent and bolstering the support network.

The support through dialogue was also highlighted by Bernardo (19), who said it helped him accept fatherhood: I couldn't believe that that was my son, you see? [...] It was my first experience, I didn't know what to do, how to react, I held that child and I thought it was someone else's son [...]. So they [family] sat with me and talked, and over time I started to see that I was really wrong (Bernardo, 19).

The effort to accept fatherhood is a slow and difficult process for the adolescent, and requires the help of his support network that is based on dialogue and understanding.²¹ The family can play a mediator role in this transition phase between adolescence and adulthood, brought about unexpectedly by paternity. This was made evident by Bernardo (19), when the adolescent stated that after talking to his family he really managed to help in taking care of his son.

In another statement, Bernardo (19) reported his perception of his family support, which was only observed after he became a father: it was really only after my son was born that I realized that my family is on my side, in spite of all the fights and disagreements (Bernardo, 19).

For the adolescent father, the family is seen as a support network for financial as well as emotional needs, providing a basis for them to exercise fatherhood.⁶

The subjects' statements also report this financial support: my mother helps me and sometimes my stepfather does, too. She helps me with everything, buying things, because she [daughter] was born premature [six months] and had to be put on milk formula, and each can cost R$ 22.00 and lasted three days. So it was difficult. When I didn't have enough, my mother and my stepfather bought it (Renato, 18); my mother helped me, so did my grandmother and my mother- in- law, to build the house. They helped me; they gave me most of the things (Guilherme, 18).

In a study describing young adults aged between 18 and 24 years, who experienced motherhood and fatherhood in adolescence, the family was a source of material/financial support to these young individuals. The support that the adolescent parents received from their maternal grandmothers was also highlighted, as they were always close to their grandchildren, assuming responsibilities of care towards them.¹⁵

In the present study, in addition to the participation of the adolescents' grandmothers, it was noted that mothers and mothers-in-law were the main sources of support, both financially and psychologically, for the adolescent fathers.

It was found that adolescents become weak during the transition between adolescence and adulthood, and assuming fatherhood makes this stage even more difficult for them. Therefore, family support is essential for them to overcome the challenges they face in this new stage in their lives.

The support offered by the families has been confirmed in studies with adolescents who experience fatherhood and motherhood, including financial as well as emotional support.^2,6,15,22

Although there have been recent changes regarding the general meaning of family, no changes have been made in regards to its role as supporter and protector, or in its responsibility towards its children.²⁰

With the arrival of a new child, the family must develop new strategies in order to deal with the tasks of development and their ability to adjust to their new member and manage the needs emerging within the family system.¹⁶

Taking care of the baby is an important skill for adolescent fathers to learn, and they need special support and guidance from the family. The statements of the present study subjects evidenced their need for that support, which most received from their family: my father helps me; my mother helps me to take care of the baby [...]. In this case, I only take care of him at night, when I get home... I come home around 7 PM, sometimes I'm a bit late so I arrive around * PM or 8:30 PM (Roberto Carlos, 17); now we know when he has an earache;, because my mother had three children, then my sister calls my mother to take a look, my mother knows (Ricardo, 19).

In the case of Ricardo (19), he reported not having any experience taking care of a child, so when his son was ill he asked his mother for help, as she was more experienced with caring for children.

Bernardo (19), who in the beginning was unable to accept his imminent fatherhood, also counted on the support of his family to take care of his son, which was translated as dialogue and advice: so that is how they helped me, they helped me wake up to help raise my son, take care of him as a father should, and for me to worry about my child as a father (Bernardo, 19).

The family, often judging the adolescent as incapable of taking care of his child, eventually assumes the responsibility of care, preventing them from practicing their skills as a father.¹⁹

The adolescent fathers in the present study received support in regards to caring for their child. They were taught about how to take care of their child, and were given the opportunity to experience and live this moment.

Therefore, by exchanging experiences, adolescent fathers gain confidence through the support from their parents,which highlights the importance of this family contribution to the experience of fatherhood, particularly in adolescence.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

By studying the family as a social support network in the adolescent experience of fatherhood, it was observed, through the reports of the adolescent fathers, that this support was considered essential to their growth as fathers. This support reinforces the importance of the social network for the physical and emotional health of individuals, and, consequently, of the family because, according to the statements, the support had a positive effect on the participants' lives.

The study revealed that, in participating as fathers, the adolescent fathers' support network was mainly comprised of the following family members: mother, father, mother-in-law, stepfather and siblings. The support actions identified in the study were both psychological and financial in nature, mostly provided by the adolescent father's mother or mother-in-law, which highlights the role that the family has as a source of support for adolescent fathers.

Furthermore, it should be emphasized that there is one weakness in the social network of the adolescents in the present study, as they primarily counted on family support to help them with their new experience of fatherhood, which could restrict the supportive relationships of others outside the family in their development process.

In order to be effective, the social network should be extensive and reach both the mesosystem and the exosystem. Considering the present study of adolescent fathers, the support network was fragile regarding other possibilities of support that these adolescent fathers could use.

It is observed there is a need for intervention from healthcare and nursing professionals, working with this population to develop new policies aimed at including adolescent fathers in health services, thus promoting programs that would provide the support these fathers need to become effective parents.

Furthermore, it should also be highlighted that other partnerships are important to consolidate the social network of these fathers, such as school, friends, the community and the Primary Healthcare Centers, which could also provide support in their process of development and of experiencing fatherhood in adolescence.

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^*

. The subjects were adolescent parents from a city in southern Rio Grande do Sul, selected from the databank of the RAPAD study, who agreed to participate in the second stage of the referred qualitative study.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  26 July 2012
• Date of issue
  June 2012