Reimagining good fatherhood: non-custodial black fathers’ experiences in South Africa

Families in South Africa are undergoing rapid changes that have reshaped family structures and parenting roles. One notable trend is the growing number of absent fathers, which has led to an increase in non-custodial fathers. However, limited research in South Africa has explored black non-custodial fathers’ perspectives on good fatherhood, the strategies they employ, and the challenges they face in maintaining involvement with their children. The study conducted face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews with 30 black non-custodial fathers residing in various areas of Johannesburg, South Africa. The data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings reveal that non-custodial fathers defined good fatherhood as both financial provision and active physical involvement in their children’s lives. While they acknowledged the importance of providing financially, the fathers also expressed a desire to be present in their children’s daily lives to offer guidance, care and emotional support. The study concludes that awareness campaigns should target communities to promote the importance of enabling fathers to participate meaningfully in parenting. Traditional gender norms that equate fatherhood solely with financial provision should be challenged by promoting the understanding that good fatherhood also involves emotional and physical presence in children’s lives.