Opinion piece by Errol Naidoo
Article sourced from Family Policy Institute
South Africa and most of the world observed “Father’s Day” on Sunday 21 June to acknowledge and honour the vital and indispensable role of men as fathers. The attributes of true fatherhood are founded in the love, care, discipline and guidance of God our Father.
The men who love and honour their wives, teach their children by example to love, honour and obey God and are devoted to their families – are a rare breed. Marriage and the family are bedrock institutions of society and these men serve as the pillars of strong nations.
Fatherhood is often ridiculed and devalued in a culture brainwashed by an ideology that elevates the (manufactured) “rights” of the individual above self-sacrifice and family well-being. The data on fatherlessness in SA is a timely reminder of why fathers matter.
Research on fatherlessness indicate that “fatherlessness in South Africa is one of the highest globally, and shapes a lot of the social and economic challenges experienced across the country.” The data proves the God-given role of father is critical for society.
Recent data indicates “64.5% of children in SA don’t live with their biological fathers. In predominantly Black communities it rises to 68%. Only 35.6% live with their biological fathers in the same household. 42% of children live with mothers only – 4% with fathers.”
“Just 32.7% of children live with both parents. Research shows historically, apartheid-era labour migration forced men to work far from home. This legacy, combined with declining marriage rates, unemployment, poverty, and HIV/AIDS, has kept father absence common.”
Divorce rates increased 8.9% to 24,202 in 2024. 57.2% of divorces were filed by women – Infidelity cited as the primary cause. However, fewer people are opting to enter marriage. Only 102,373 marriages were registered in 2024 – down a whopping 28.5% since 2015.
Out of wedlock births and some of the world’s highest teen pregnancy rates also contribute to South Africa’s high fatherless rates. Fatherless homes shows strong correlations with poverty, lower education attainment and higher rates of behaviour and criminal problems.
Significantly, however, research does not account for the consequences of the relentless attacks on monogamous heterosexual marriage, the natural family, fatherhood and motherhood, parental rights and the sexual indoctrination of innocent children in education.
Mountains of global research reveal the devastating impact of fatherlessness on children and families. “71% of children who don’t finish school come from fatherless homes. Kids without biological fathers present have worse health, wellbeing, and economic outcomes and show more behavioural problems.”
“Poor involvement in education correlates with poorer mental health, learning outcomes, and higher dropout risk. Young men report emotional pain, self-isolation, and aggressive coping mechanisms. Also loss of cultural and masculine identity due to disconnection from paternal heritage including feelings of “pain”, “crisis of identity”, and depression.”
“The absence of fathers in the home often means lost financial support. Many fathers are absent due to unemployment and poverty. South African fathers are often seen primarily as providers, so unemployment leads many to retreat from active involvement.
“The absence of fathers contributes to broken families, financial strain, and intergenerational poverty. Most single-mother households are run without father support. Studies link father absence to aggressive behaviour among children. Researchers frame it as a “social risk” that affects children’s wellbeing, social cohesion, and development.”
The social data indicates, “Fatherlessness is becoming normalized in many communities. This may reduce stigma but also means the problem isn’t being addressed structurally. It’s not just about physical presence. A father’s involvement in emotional support, social recognition, and cultural transmission matters too. Extended family and “social fathers” sometimes fill gaps, but young men say they don’t fully replace biological fathers.”
What the above research summary emphasises, is that the role of the father in the home is not only critical for the overall well-being of children but also a vital social fortification essential for the general health, stability and prosperity of nations. In short, fathers matter!
It is therefore a crime against the people that the ANC led government insists on aligning its policies with global anti-life and anti-family radicals. The gender-neutral “Marriage Law” exposes the ANC’s radical agenda to erase the ancient terms “father” and “husband.”
Because the corrupt ANC regime is intent on redefining marriage and family, the Christian Church is compelled to boldly proclaim biblical truth on marriage and the family to restore and strengthen these bedrock institutions – especially the God-ordained role of fatherhood.
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 23/06/2026
Feature image: Sourced from Magnfic; for illustration purposes only
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
