Attitudes of Expectant Fathers in the Setting of Teenage Pregnancy towards Breastfeeding - A Mixed Methods Study

Contemporary Western society has grown to accept and expect fathers’ involvement in the antenatal period and birthing process of their offspring. Fathers are also recognised to share domestic responsibilities, which encompass taking on an active role in caring for and the upbringing of their children [5,7]. Of the limited research centred on fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy, it has been noted that teenage fatherhood is associated with high levels of psychological distress and adverse social outcomes such as low socioeconomic status, incomplete education, and employment instability [8]. Fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy find themselves facing responsibility, expectation and stress with fewer life skills to cope with these demands.