A pastoral-theological view on the fundamental role of the father in variance with contemporary family structures and its adverse challenges for fatherhood: a literature review

Abstract

Pastoral Theology is a dispersed and changing field that involves many diverse participants and diverse methods. The field is concerned with the theory and practice of pastoral care and counselling. It seeks to bring religious and moral meanings to bear on the needs, problems, and activities of everyday human experience, it seeks to interpret their significance, to understand their aetiology, and to guide interventions appropriately. Our present society is not only in a moral crisis, but is experiencing challenges and enormous changes. Families experiencing violence, murder, drug and alcohol abuse, dishonesty, child molestation, lack of order and discipline at schools and homes. Numerous contemporary forms of family structures such as single parents, childheaded households, children who are raised by grandparents and guardians, gay men as parents, divorce and stepfamilies and feminism are all adverse challenges for fatherhood in society.