Batang Ama: The Untold Stories of Single Teenage Fathers

Abstract

This research tries to establish a significant value in the lived experiences of single teenage fathers. Researchers used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the lens to understand the lived experiences of single teenage fathers. Using data from individual interviews, data analysis produced a synthesis of five individual cases. According to France’s (2009) with the use of individual interviews, it is a valuable method of gaining insight into people's perceptions, understandings and experiences of a given phenomenon and can contribute to in-depth data collection. Overall results showed superordinate themes centering on single teenage fathers’ (1) Experiences as a teenage father, (2) Peer Adjustment, (3) Acceptance, and (4) Insights gained from experiences. Theoretical and practical reflections of lived experiences stated in the context are discussed. A call for a phenomenologically guided approach is needed for understanding the behavior and mental needs for single teenage fathers.