De l’autorité à l’affect : transformation des paternités au sein de la jeunesse ouagalaise scolarisée (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

This article deals with transformations in the role of men as fathers among schooled Ouagalese youth (Burkina Faso, West Africa). For the educated young men, unlike the rest of the extended family, the “classical” logic of social advancement, of access to the status of family chief, until recently, has been that of study leading to employment, which in turn allowed them to marry and support a household. Today, due to the socio-economic crisis that has hit the country, many of these young men, although they have studied many years and have sacrificed in order to succeed, for themselves as well as for their families, do not reach their goals and gain recognition ; they are unable in turn to help those who have helped them and are incapable of marrying… Hence the question of the possibility of being a “father” arises, when their economic and social conditions are insufficient for supporting a family. A role model, other than that of authority and breadwinner needs to be invented. Hence we observe a progressive redefinition of the image of child and father/child relationships. The wants and needs of their offspring are transformed and, consequently, the education and affective investment differ.