Heartlines hosts author workshop for fatherhood research publication

The imagined headlines were overwhelmingly positive. Some were reports of economic growth, while others spoke to increased literacy rates, youth activism, government accountability and systemic change. 

Caryn said that usually when she takes people through the exercise, the majority of the imagined headlines are negative, so it was encouraging to see the optimistic views shared by those in the room. And the sense of hope is reflected in the work that they do. Livhuwani agreed, saying, “There was a real sense of curiosity and intellectual energy in the room. Most of all, there was a great deal of passion for the subject and for the possibilities of this work. That gives us confidence that we have chosen the right thinkers to go on this journey with us.”

The researchers care deeply about lived realities in South Africa and are all working in their respective spheres to show how our decisions, history, policies and ways of being affect men, women, communities and, especially, children. 

Expanding the body of knowledge on fatherhood

The contributors to the publication will use the raw data from Heartlines’ two formative research reports (which you can see here and here) to develop their chapters and engage with the datasets from their own disciplinary perspectives, producing original scholarly analyses that collectively illuminate what South African children are telling us, and what we, as scholars, policymakers and practitioners, are obligated to hear.

Livhuwani said, “We hope that it can expand and strengthen the body of knowledge on fatherhood in the South African context. We are wanting to give our participants, especially children, a stronger, authoritative voice in the conversation of fatherhood, gender roles and identity, GBV and masculinities, because children have communicated what is important to them.”

The papers will include input from disciplines such as social work, education, law, psychology, social policy, gender studies and development studies. “In order to do justice to the conversations in our research, we have to bring different academic, practitioner and policy voices to the conversation, with the understanding that fatherhood is a complex issue that needs the full attention of different disciplines and perspectives, and furthermore, connect these disciplines and perspectives to help surface questions and ways of thinking that advance the state of fatherhood in this country,” said Livhuwani.

The volume is under consideration with HSRC Press and is anticipated for publication in late 2027.