Dispelling myths about young dads

The stereotypical view of young unmarried fathers from lower socio-economic groups is challenged by study, writes BRIAN O'CONNELL

THE HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme today released the results of a new study examining attitudes to sexual relationships and fatherhood among young Irish men from lower socio-economic groups.

Some 41 men between the ages of 17 and 25 were interviewed as part of the study, and questioned on their role as fathers, their sexual experiences and how they viewed themselves as males within broader society.

Just under half of the men surveyed had fathered a child, while a further three of the interviewees were prospective fathers at the time of the interviews in 2008. None of the men surveyed expressed regret about unplanned pregnancies, and the majority of fathers had regular and almost daily contact with their children.

The responses in the study run contrary to the notion that young unmarried fathers from particular socio-economic backgrounds do not prioritise fatherhood or take their role as fathers seriously. It also highlighted the growing awareness that a fatherly role is not just a financial one, and areas such as “care-giving” and ongoing physical contact with children were given high importance.

The qualitative research was conducted at the Children’s Research Centre in Trinity College by Dr Elizabeth Nixon, Dr Pádraic Whyte, Joe Buggy and Prof Sheila Greene, and was compiled following interviews and focus groups with 17-25 year olds in Dublin and Waterford.

Nixon outlined the initial aims of the study: “We were looking at young men from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and documenting their experience in terms of sexual attitude and behaviour, and how they deal with the transition to becoming fathers.”

The study was prompted in some respects by the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships in 2006, which revealed a class dimension to attitudes to sex, with those from a lower socio-economic background more likely to engage in riskier sexual behaviour and less likely to use contraception.

“We know from research that these men are at risk of being sexually irresponsible, and we know also in terms of data on fatherhood internationally that young disadvantaged men can abdicate their parenting role,” says Nixon. “Yet the key findings that emerged from our study is the fact that these men are highly committed to their fathering role, and this flies in the face of myths that abound of disadvantaged men being uninvolved fathers.”

The results, though, need to be qualified. Many of those interviewed were contacted through education and outreach programmes or through sports societies and clubs, so were already participating with a range of services. They could, therefore, be said to be some of the more responsible males within their peer group. Also, what father when asked his thoughts on fatherhood doesn’t rank it a priority?

“We used a whole range of recruitment sources,” says Nixon. “We went to particular services that provided services for men out of work, such as back-to-education programmes. Some of the men were also asked to invite their friends. I think the men we spoke to are relatively representative of men within their socio-economic group.”

In the area of sexual health, the study found one-third of those interviewed did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter, which again is in contrast to national studies which found much higher contraceptive use among a similar age group.

Many of those interviewed were well informed on issues of sexual health, including STIs and STDs, yet cited the “heat of the moment” as reason for not availing of contraception. The majority of men interviewed said they had sex before they were 17 years old, with half them saying they lost their virginity by the age of 14.

The study found evidence that once men became fathers, risky sexual behaviour decreased dramatically. Yet, despite an increased awareness of the issues around sexual health, many of the men surveyed decided not to follow through on their knowledge, choosing instead to abandon it in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.

“I think that is a key finding,” says Nixon. “It is not about lack of education, but about following through on what information they already have. We found variable levels of responsibility in this area and again this is information which is relatively new.”

The study was funded by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme, which provides free counselling to men and women at more than 50 centres nationally. The locations can be accessed by texting LIST to 50444 or by visiting positveoptions.ie. Download the study at crisis pregnancy.ie