Abstract
Missional fatherhood as a strategy to inmates who struggle with father absence: Building hope through a programme
Highlights
Introduction and problem statementColonisation and urbanisation were major factors that transformed family arrangements extensively in the 20th century in South Africa, not to mention the roles that parents played, especially the crucial one of the father pertaining to fatherhood (Richter, Chikovore & Makusha 2010:361–362)
The venue where the fatherhood training and equipping took place caused ample frustrations and difficulties for inmates and many times resulted in arguments and disagreements
A lack of co-operation and support amongst inmates was evident during group discussions in the training sessions as some inmates complained about the negative remarks and statements made about the programme by both their fellow inmates and staff members of the correctional facility
Summary
Colonisation and urbanisation were major factors that transformed family arrangements extensively in the 20th century in South Africa, not to mention the roles that parents played, especially the crucial one of the father pertaining to fatherhood (Richter, Chikovore & Makusha 2010:361–362). Analysts refer to this problem of fatherlessness as a ‘terrifying dilemma’ and ‘corrosion of fatherhood’ that destroyed families (Cape Argus 23 June 2008:15; John 2012; Swartz et al 2013) This corrosion is a major cause of the current societal ills in South Africa, seeing that 30% of children are born into single-parent homes. Fathers should seek to know God as Father through Jesus Christ and experience the new birth given by the Holy Spirit through the Word (1 Pt 2) This means new life in them and their families, which will help break the epidemic of fatherlessness (Freeks 2013). The purpose of discipline is, according to Deuteronomy 6:2, firstly to fear God, secondly to instil respect, especially for the father and other authority figures and thirdly to be accountable for personal actions (Clements 2003; Farrar 2003)
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