Deceased, Absent, or Part-Time Father: Which Is Worse? the Role of the Father in Daughter's Risky Sexual Activities

Background: Risky sexual behavior is associated with both immediate (e.g., STIs) and long-term (e.g., emotional trauma) negative outcomes. Research from the U.S. has found female adolescents who grow up in households without their biological father present initiate intercourse at an earlier age and are more likely to get pregnant as a teenager. Less is known about the role of the father in developing contexts, such as South Africa (SA), where 2.5 million children are estimated to have lost one parent due to AIDS. Growing SA research suggests orphaned adolescents are at greater risk for HIV infection and more frequently engage in risky sexual activities. The current study looks at the differential impact of father role on daughter’s risky sexual activities.

Methods: Using data collected from SA female 8^th graders (N=5430, M_age=13.3 years old) in a school setting, logistic regression was used to compare odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviors given father’s role. Four father roles were used: full-time in home (47% of sample), part-time in home (16%), absent (23%), and deceased (14%). Dichotomous risky sexual variables included: consensual intercourse, forced sexual attempts, condom use at last sex, having an older partner (i.e., 16 years old or older), currently trying to get pregnant, and simultaneous alcohol use and sexual behavior.

Results: Results indicate that, as compared to father in the home full-time, females with a deceased father were more likely to: engage in consensual sex (OR=1.7), have an older partner (OR=2.0), be trying to get pregnant (OR=4.0), experience forced sex attempts (OR=1.3); and have sexual activities influenced by substance use (OR=1.8). Females with an absent father were more likely to have an older partner (OR=1.3) and experience forced sex attempts (OR=1.3). Females with a part-time father in the home were more likely to: engage in consensual sex (OR=1.7), have an older partner (OR=1.4), experience forced sex attempts (OR=1.2), and have sexual activities influenced by substance use (OR=1.6). 

Conclusions: Overall, 8^th grade early adolescent females with a father who is deceased were more likely to be dating older individuals and attempting to have children; findings consistent with prior research. Although the connection between father’s role and daughter’s risky sexual activity is multi-dimensional, the current study indicates that have a deceased father is associated with greater engagement in risky sexual activities related to early maturing females (e.g., older partner, trying to get pregnant) than having a part time or absent father. Findings can inform policy and prevention approaches targeting teen pregnancy and risk reduction to support healthy sexual activities.