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Responsibilities of a Young Father: A social-anthropological study of young fathers and reproductive justice in Libreville, Gabon

Ndounou, Ayla LU (2026) SANK03 20261
Social Anthropology
Abstract
The aim of the study is to explore how young fathers engage with fatherhood and the responsibilities surrounding it, in Libreville, Gabon. By using decolonial feminist theory, masculinities studies and a reproductive justice framework, the thesis focuses on themes such as fathers’ accountability towards pregnancies and fathers’ role as providers, but also wider issues such as the engagement of the wider family and and the effects of patriarchy and masculinity on fathers’ experiences of fatherhood.

Through multiple interviews, a questionnaire and observations the study reveals that while children are seen as a blessing and are with very few exceptions always welcome, many young men are able to “strategically disappear” and avoid... (More)
The aim of the study is to explore how young fathers engage with fatherhood and the responsibilities surrounding it, in Libreville, Gabon. By using decolonial feminist theory, masculinities studies and a reproductive justice framework, the thesis focuses on themes such as fathers’ accountability towards pregnancies and fathers’ role as providers, but also wider issues such as the engagement of the wider family and and the effects of patriarchy and masculinity on fathers’ experiences of fatherhood.

Through multiple interviews, a questionnaire and observations the study reveals that while children are seen as a blessing and are with very few exceptions always welcome, many young men are able to “strategically disappear” and avoid responsibilities when they become fathers. At the same time, they feel pressure to succeed as providers at a time when the effects of colonisation, urbanization and capitalism have weakened family solidarity and fostered individualism. Even though new realities have led to some of the fathers defying rigid gender roles by doing domestic labour, the hegemonic masculinity still restricts men in their emotional lives and the choices they make. Lastly, the reproductive justice framework redirects the attention to the fact that the Gabonese government needs to prioritise the justice aspects of reproductive health care. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ndounou, Ayla LU
supervisor
organization
course
SANK03 20261
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
fatherhood, decolonial feminism, reproductive justice, masculinity, social anthropology, kinship, Gabon
language
English
id
9250656
date added to LUP
2026-09-10 11:48:45
date last changed
2026-09-10 11:48:46
@misc{9250656,
  abstract     = {{The aim of the study is to explore how young fathers engage with fatherhood and the responsibilities surrounding it, in Libreville, Gabon. By using decolonial feminist theory, masculinities studies and a reproductive justice framework, the thesis focuses on themes such as fathers’ accountability towards pregnancies and fathers’ role as providers, but also wider issues such as the engagement of the wider family and and the effects of patriarchy and masculinity on fathers’ experiences of fatherhood. 

Through multiple interviews, a questionnaire and observations the study reveals that while children are seen as a blessing and are with very few exceptions always welcome, many young men are able to “strategically disappear” and avoid responsibilities when they become fathers. At the same time, they feel pressure to succeed as providers at a time when the effects of colonisation, urbanization and capitalism have weakened family solidarity and fostered individualism. Even though new realities have led to some of the fathers defying rigid gender roles by doing domestic labour, the hegemonic masculinity still restricts men in their emotional lives and the choices they make. Lastly, the reproductive justice framework redirects the attention to the fact that the Gabonese government needs to prioritise the justice aspects of reproductive health care.}},
  author       = {{Ndounou, Ayla}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Responsibilities of a Young Father: A social-anthropological study of young fathers and reproductive justice in Libreville, Gabon}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}