Why positive male role models are key to shaping boys and preventing GBV in South Africa
Image: Anete Lusina/Pexels
As South Africa grapples with an escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), civil society organisations argue that the perception of boys who grow up without fathers as perpetrators of GBV is complex, emphasising that male role models—not just biological fathers—are key to shaping a child's behaviour and attitudes.
According to the State of South African Fathers 2024 report, 64.5% of South African children do not live with their biological fathers. More than half of this group, however, live with other adult men including stepfathers, partners of their mothers, extended family members, relatives such as older brothers, grandfathers, and uncles.
This Sunday, 15 June, South Africa will celebrate Father's Day and as society reflects on the significance of paternal influence, it becomes apparent that honouring male figures who provide supportive, nurturing guidance could be instrumental in changing the narrative around GBV.
Jean-Marie Nkurunziza, MenCare regional programme specialist at Sonke Gender Justice, said the perception that boy children who grow up without fathers tend to be perpetrators of GBV is complex and multifaceted.
The organisation said most of the research on fatherhood and caregiving suggests that the relationship between a father's absence and boy children becoming GBV perpetrators is not straightforward.
'It is influenced by various factors, including family dynamics, social environment, and economic conditions within various families,' said Nkurunziza.
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Nkurunziza warned that if this issue is not addressed, it will lead to more dysfunction and increased inequalities," he said.
He said violence may be transmitted from one generation to another, leading to a vicious cycle and pattern of violence in society.
Nkurunziza further explained that GBV can have significant social and economic costs, including increased healthcare costs, low productivity, mental health issues and reduced economic opportunities.
Sonke Gender Justice emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of GBV, including patriarchal norms, power imbalances, and deep-rooted inequalities, which is crucial to preventing GBV.
Nkurunziza said promoting gender equality and challenging harmful masculinity can help prevent GBV. 'Providing GBV survivor-centred care, including access to healthcare, counselling, and justice, is essential in ensuring the well-being and safety of survivors by working with partners across the country.'
Javu Baloyi, spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality, stated that this perception is not necessarily true.
'It depends...we need to ensure that boys have mentors. In some cases, lack of a role model in a father figure is somewhat linked to anger, being respondents, and worse, culminating in gender-based violence. The issue of absent fathers has to be addressed,' he said.
Action Society stated that there is evidence to suggest that the absence of positive male role models, particularly fathers, can contribute to behavioural challenges in boys, including a higher risk of violence.
However, the non-profit organisation cautioned against oversimplifying or generalising the issue. 'Not all boys raised without fathers become perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV). Many grow up to be respectful, responsible men.'
The real concern lies not solely in the absence of a father, but in the lack of consistent, healthy male guidance and emotional support during a child's formative years," said Action Society.
It said failure to intervene allows the cycle of violence to continue unchecked.
'Boys who are not taught to manage anger, process trauma, or respect others may become adults who inflict harm."
According to Action Society, this can perpetuate high rates of GBV, absentee fathers, and generational trauma in families and communities.
"South Africa is already in a GBV crisis and cannot afford to ignore root causes or structural failures in raising boys to be emotionally secure and morally grounded men,' said the organisation.
Action Society believes prevention is just as critical as prosecution. Investing in the development of boy children is a national priority. Fatherlessness is a symptom of broader systemic issues such as poverty, incarceration, substance abuse, and social breakdown that must be tackled holistically.
'Blaming fatherless boys alone does not solve the problem. Healing our society starts with strengthening families, communities, and the moral compass of future generations,' said the organisation.
The TEARS Foundation believes in self-determination, accountability, and responsibility.
The foundation cited the Human Sciences Research Council, which found that more than 60% of children in South Africa do not live with their biological fathers, and around 20% only have contact with their fathers twice a week.
'Some people believe that boys who grow up without fathers are more likely to become abusers, but if that were true, we would have to believe that 60% of the male population is abusive. That simply isn't supported by evidence,' said the foundation.
The foundation said there is not enough research to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between father absence and abusive behaviour.
'The truth is, the causes of abuse are complex. But complexity is not an excuse. Understanding these root causes does not take away personal responsibility or accountability for abusive actions,' it said.
The issue of absent fathers is also complex, it said, adding that research shows that many absent fathers themselves grew up without present father figures.
'Breaking this cycle requires us to shift social beliefs. We must recognise that fathers do matter and that positive, present father figures who model respectful, morally grounded behaviour can help change the culture of violence we have come to accept,' it said.
The TEARS Foundation stated that we live in a society that is 'hurting' and that if we do not address the erosion of shared values and the loss of moral direction, this pain will continue to grow.
'We believe the solution lies in rebuilding a society rooted in hope, healing, and human dignity. Change is possible when we choose to care, connect, and take responsibility for the world we're shaping for future generations.'
Wessel van den Berg, Senior Advocacy Officer at Equimundo Centre for Masculinities and Social Justice, explained that a social father is a man who steps into a fathering role, engaging with the child and providing caregiving with the full knowledge and consent of the child's mother or guardian.
'Children tend to identify with men who they spend quite a lot of time with, and with time and consistency, these men could become father figures to them. So, a social father is really defined in terms of the nature and quality of care that a man gives to a child,' he said.
Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder and CEO of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit mentoring organisation focused on connecting 'fatherless' boys with vetted and trained social fathers, said social fathers are special people who, in the absence of a biological connection, must have a strong personal intention and commitment to make a good difference in the lives of boys.
'They need to be men who are driven by their values and can stand out as role models because of this demonstrable integrity,' he said.
karen.singh@inl.co.za
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