Social worker warns of emotional toll when fathers aren’t present
She urges fathers to be present, highlighting how a missing paternal presence can lead to emotional, behavioural, and identity challenges, and advocates for stronger support systems to break cycles of despair.
As someone who works closely with vulnerable children and also grew up without a father, St Francis Care Centre social worker Hlekani Sebaiwa has firsthand experience of the deep and lasting impact an absent father figure can have on a child’s development.
“I urge fathers to realise that their involvement matters more than they think. Bond with your children from the beginning. I have witnessed children struggling with emotional, behavioural, and developmental issues that often trace back to a missing paternal presence.
“That longing does not go away; it lingers, influencing life choices and self-worth. We also see cycles of poverty, substance abuse and crime rooted in these emotional voids.”
The social worker said most of the children who get adopted come from families without a father present.
“One of the most heartbreaking trends is that many children placed in our care come from hospitals where mothers – often young, single and unsupported – cannot raise them, and fathers are absent, untraceable or unwilling to take responsibility.”
Yet, Sebaiwa believes in resilience.
“My life is proof that with strong support, especially from a loving mother and aunt, a child can rise above difficult circumstances.
“We also need more awareness, social workers in schools, and more support systems to break these generational cycles.
“Together, we can create a better future—not just for individual children, but for our society as a whole.”
