‘The biggest reason why men are not present in children’s lives is money’ – Heartlines CEO
Men who feel they cannot provide for children financially are less likely to be present in their children’s lives, according to the CEO of Heartlines.
Father and daughter saving money in piggy bank, financial education. Image: 123rf.com
702 and CapeTalk’s Africa Melane speaks with CEO at Heartlines Dr Garth Japhet.
Listen below:
There is a common misconception that child maintenance is exclusively a father’s responsibility.
However, the Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi insists that is not the case.
She expressed that maintenance contributions are based on a parent’s financial means, not their gender.
Japhet says that the perception that men’s primary responsibility to their children is to financially support them has led to high rates of absentee fathers.
Heartlines discovered this after conducting a large study.
“The biggest single reason why men are not present in children’s lives is money. It is the perception by men and women that men’s primary role as a father is to provide money, and if you can’t provide, you cannot be present.”
- Dr Garth Japhet, CEO at Heartlines
This can have devastating consequences for the children, who will have a higher risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gender-based violence, and of having mental health issues, he continues.
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