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Single motherhood is a prevalent phenomenon within low-resourced communities globally, especially within African communities. Despite the fact that discourses on single mothers have received considerable attention in social sciences, there remains a notable gap within social work literature where momentous traction is still needed. This thematic narrative literature review synthesises current evidence regarding the challenges faced by single mothers in low-resource communities across Africa. Employing a thematic approach to literature selection, the analysis found several key areas of hardship and economic instability. Further, the findings included childcare and educational barriers, health and under nutrition, limited social support and stigma for single mothers, lack of safety and protection from violence and crimes, as well as poor policy implementation and service access. These findings highlight a complex interaction among macroeconomic factors in African communities, discriminatory gender values and norms, and community service structures, which frequently intensify vulnerabilities for single mothers and their children. The recommendations made emphasises the need for policy and programme redesigns in African communities, advocating for community-based strategies that prioritise gender sensitivity and inclusivity to address the distinctive socioeconomic challenges encountered by single mothers in low-resource settings. Further, recommendations are made on establishing family-inclusive social frameworks that extend beyond marriage-based models to include strengthening of child support enforcement mechanisms and paternal responsibility legislation.  

Fatherlessness has emerged as a significant social issue affecting youth's well-being and development, contributing to challenges like mental health issues, academic struggles, and risky behaviours. This study aimed to explore fatherlessness's profound effects on youth in Madombidzha Village, South Africa, using qualitative research methods, including interviews and community surveys, to examine emotional, social, and economic challenges faced by children without paternal figures. The findings revealed a correlation between father absence and increased academic underachievement, behavioural issues, and mental health struggles. The study also discussed broader implications for community development, emphasizing support systems' importance in mitigating negative outcomes. By highlighting fatherless youth's silent struggle, this research aimed to inform local policies and interventions fostering resilience and promoting positive development. The study's insights can contribute to developing targeted support systems and effective interventions. Ultimately, the research provides a foundation for stakeholders to develop evidence-based programs supporting fatherless youth. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, educators, and community leaders seeking to address the complex needs of this vulnerable population.

This study explores the impact of coparenting on child development and mental health in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The research aims to examine the relationship between coparenting quality and child development outcomes, with a specific focus on child mental health. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a sample of 150 parents or primary caregivers of children aged 5 to 18 years. The data was collected through questionnaires to assess coparenting dynamics, parenting styles, and child behavioural outcomes. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) cooperative coparenting relationships and positive parenting styles are crucial for promoting healthy child development and mental health outcomes, (ii) conflict in coparenting relationships is a significant concern, with a substantial proportion of participants reporting moderate to high conflict levels, and (iii) the coping mechanisms employed by parents and caregivers, such as talking to the child and encouraging physical activity, are effective in supporting child well-being. The study's findings have significant implications for practice and policy, emphasizing the importance of promoting healthy coparenting relationships, positive parenting styles, and effective coping mechanisms to support child development and mental health.

This study explored the complex dynamics of identity and relationships among youth living in polygamous families in Madombidzha Village, located in the Vhembe district. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews, the study captures the lived experiences of these young individuals as they navigate their identities within the context of multiple familial structures. Participants were chosen through snowball sampling. The findings reveal that youth in polygamous settings often face unique challenges, such as competing loyalties, emotional conflicts, and societal stigma, which significantly shape their self-perception and interpersonal relationships. Using a qualitative research approach, the study captures the lived experiences of young individuals navigating multiple familial structures. The findings reveal that youth in polygamous settings often encounter challenges such as divided loyalties, emotional distress, and societal stigma, all of which shape their self-perception and social interactions.

The family, in all communities, is the primary and most basic unit. However, as a result of modernisation and urbanisation, there has been a shift in the perception that biological parents should raise their children and that they both have responsibilities. The teenagers without fathers are reported to be facing more challenges compared to their counterparts with fathers. These difficulties are most apparent in the areas around the development of the body, mind, personality, social skills, and morality. To investigate the effects of fathers’ absenteeism on teenage boys, this study conducted an in-depth review of past studies. This study reveals teenage boys experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, and rage when their fathers are absent from their lives. More so, the likelihood that these teenage boys will get involved in criminal activity will decrease if their fathers are involved in their lives and provide them with financial support. This study suggests that more social workers be assigned to schools in order to recognise and address cases where teenage boys are reported to be experiencing father absenteeism.

The phenomenon of absent fathers continues to be one of the major social problems affecting families globally. This study examined the lived experiences of adolescent boys who grow up in absent father families. The objectives of this study were to elucidate the experiences of adolescent boys with absent fathers, to describe the challenges faced by adolescent boys who grow up without a father and to determine their understanding of the role and value of having a father. A qualitative approach was followed for this study. Data were collected from 18 adolescent boys through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The data collected was analysed thematically. The findings showed that adolescent boys regarded fathers as important figures in their lives and their families. The absence of fathers in their total upbringing has some negative ramifications, among others, financial challenges, poor academic progress, alcohol abuse and lack of immediate gender role model.

The father’s involvement in their children’s life is often defined by economical and psychological support, those without adequate financial muscle are often denied 1) parental contact and 2) responsibilities. The noted unjustified perceptions fail to contemplate historic socio-economic and psychosocial factors affecting fathers’ roles and related expectations. Therefore, the objective of this study was aimed at accentuating psychosocial and economic challenges faced by young fathers in assuming parental responsibilities, focusing on South African case studies. The applied methodology was based on ‘non-empirical research design: Systematic Review,’ documentary sources were qualitatively [Purposively] sampled from the search engines such as ‘Google scholar, South African Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) portal, Jstor, Sabinet, and EbcoHost,’ using keywords/phrases related to the subject under research to filter relevant data, restricted to 2003-2022. The inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) analyzed the collected data. The primary finding of this study revealed that [Some] young fathers are faced with parental exclusions owing to the financial instability of compensating and supporting them. Moreover, they also experience psychological distress and resort to criminal activities to find means of supporting their children. The underlined conclusion suggests that society should allow fatherly responsibilities to be catered on children without placing more pressure on them (Fathers’), their financial standards should be respected at all costs. Programs strictly advocating for children’s contact with their non-residential fathers to encourage their [Fathers] positive involvement and focus on children’s needs across South African communities should be urgently staged.

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors which affect the family functions. Participants of this study consisted of married employees with children at the Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. The sample size is determined using a random sampling method (n = 551). In this research, family functioning style scale, support functions scale, and family needs scale developed by Dunst, Trivette and Deal (1988) used as well as the socio-economic data such as age, gender, level of education, number of children, and the income level. The majority (64.6%) of the sample was men, 35.4% were women. The ages of the participants ranged from 23-65 years (M = 39.76 years, SD =6.98). More than half of were college or more degree (57.0%) and 43.0% had high school or less graduates. Results of means comparisons showed significant differences on the family functioning style by working hours and working status. Regression analysis results suggested significant relationships exist among emotional support and agency support and family functioning style when controlling for socioeconomic variables.