Father Involvement in Botswana: How Adolescents Perceive Father Presence and Support

Abstract

How children perceive parental involvement has implications for their development and well-being, as well as the father-child relationship. Emerging research suggests that father involvement is a multifaceted concept, often driven by evolving cultural mandates. In this study, survey data were collected from 704 adolescents aged 14–16 in Botswana, where the rates of female-headed households and adult HIV infection are among the highest in the world. Fathers who provided both coresidence and financial support were perceived at the highest level of involvement. When considered separately, financial support rather than coresidence was associated with higher levels of perceived involvement. Maternal gatekeeping was also found to be a significant influence on perceived levels of father involvement. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.