ZACassandra Gudlhuza, a journalist and columnist, discusses her personal experience with paternal abuse in her memoir 'Unfathered: Surviving Paternal Brutality to a Life Reclaimed and Unshamed.' The book highlights how violence by fathers against their children is often overlooked in discussions about gender-based violence in South Africa, which predominantly focus on intimate partner violence. Gudlhuza recounts her childhood in a household where her father, a respected lawyer, exhibited abusive behavior, including incidents where he was called to the police but received leniency. She emphasizes the societal silence surrounding such abuse, noting that cultural expectations of fathers as providers and heads of households contribute to this issue. Her memoir aims to challenge the prevailing narrative and encourage open discussion about paternal violence.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue of paternal abuse as a systemic societal problem rooted in cultural norms, aligning with progressive perspectives that critique traditional gender roles. While it does not overtly advocate for specific policies, the emphasis on challenging entrenched attitudes and the 's
