| This study examined the decision-making and critical thinking skills of unwed adolescent fathers regarding social, personal, emotional and relational factors that influenced their sexual decisions in high school. This study also identified how adult men who fathered children in high school reflected upon the factors that influenced their sexual decisions as adolescents. This multi-case qualitative study utilized a combination of open-ended and semi-structured interview questions along with field notes, memoing, and artifacts as a basis for data collection. The findings indicated that adolescent males based their decisions on their friends, but they desired to have the "sex talk" come from their parents, particularly their fathers. Another finding was that the adolescent fathers had an easy time "hiding in plain sight" because society, including the school system, does not require the identification of fathers of babies born to adolescent teen mother. Further, this study revealed that adolescent males need adult male instruction and guidance to develop decision-making and critical thinking skills regarding their early sexual activity. Based upon the findings from this study there should be intentional discussion of human sexuality conducted by responsible adults within the school, home, faith-based organizations and various other venues. Responsible adults, particularly males, need to be prepared to orient young males on the sensitive topic of human sexuality. Waiting until a baby is conceived and arrives to address sexual decision-making is far too late. |
