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Dissertation
Emerging from the Daddy Issue: A Phenomenological Study of the Impact of the Lived Experiences of Men Who Experienced Fatherlessness on Their Approach to Fathering Sons
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Oct 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4318
Abstract
Perceptions about fatherhood and the importance of the father role have changed significantly over time. This phenomenological study explored how experiences of father absence or paternal apathy impact behaviors among men and exert influence over their ability to effectively father their sons. It examined participants views on the meaning of transitioning to manhood in a father-absent household, the intersection between fatherhood and masculinity, and the impact of their history of fatherlessness on their approaches to fathering. The researcher drew on the phrase Daddy Issue to describe the lack of emotional and psychological balance (Gibbs, Blackman, Painton, & Willwerth, 2007, p. 3) and depression of cognitive performance (Chapman, 1977) associated with the experience of fatherlessness, the abuse of a paternal relationship, or paternal undependability. Existing studies on fatherlessness are predominantly quantitative with few qualitative studies investigating outcomes of resiliency and restoration of those who experienced fatherlessness. The researchers worldviews as a pragmatist, social constructivist, and advocate (Creswell, 2007) place importance on the youth experience that may shape mens adult lives. The thoughts and feelings of 36 adult males were evaluated through the theoretical lens of Paternal Involvement, the Masculinity-Fatherhood Linkage, and Resilience. Thirteen of those men participated in semi-structured individual interviews, while 24 participated in two separate focus groups. Analysis of the data captured yielded thematic clusters that led to textural descriptions of participants experiences. From these textural descriptions, a structural description of the essence of fathering sons after experiencing fatherlessness was derived. The key findings in this study centered on the modeling of fatherhood, the perceived impacts of father absence, beliefs about the transition to manhood, the intersections between masculinity and fatherhood, and the pursuit of emotional closure. These findings were the foundation of practical recommendations as well as suggestions for future exploration into tangential phenomena.
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Details
- Title
- Emerging from the Daddy Issue
- Creators
- David Ricardo Inniss - DU
- Contributors
- W. Edward Bureau (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4318; 991014632519304721