The Lived Experience of Fatherlessness in Male Adolescents PDF
Preview The Lived Experience of Fatherlessness in Male Adolescents
THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FATHERLESSNESS IN MALE ADOLESCENTS: THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE by Cory Maret Dickerson Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University July, 2014 THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FATHERLESSNESS IN MALE ADOLESCENTS: THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE by Cory Maret Dickerson A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA July, 2014 APPROVED BY: SAMUEL SMITH, Ed.D. Chair DAVID ANDERSON, Ph.D., Committee DAVID TETRAULT, Ph.D., Committee Scott B. Watson, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Advanced Programs 2 THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FATHERLESSNESS IN MALE ADOLESCENTS: THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE ABSTRACT This study investigated the lived experiences of teenage males who did not have a father figure at home during high school. Participants included eight males of varying ethnicities, ages 18-23, who graduated from high school within the last five years. This was a qualitative study with a phenomenological design. The major data collection method was three in-depth interviews. The two research questions asked “How do adolescent males perceive the absence of a father to have impacted them during high school?” and “Were any school-related interventions available for students without fathers, and if so, how did students perceive these interventions to have impacted them?” To analyze the data, horizons were coded, invariant constituents were identified through axial coding, and themes were identified from the invariant constituents. Six themes—attachment, other influences, needs, emotions, behaviors, and identity—were identified from the analysis of the data. The needs that participants wanted and expected their fathers to meet included support, someone to go to for guidance and advice, someone to hold them accountable and discipline them, someone to help motivate, someone to teach them certain skills and gender roles, and someone with whom to share a father-son bond. When fathers were unavailable, participants depended on mothers, grandparents, peers, mentors in the community, teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors to meet these needs. The participants in this study conveyed that most of these needs remained unmet during high school. When these needs were not met, the impact was seen emotionally and behaviorally, influencing the participants’ identities 3 Acknowledgements First, I want to thank my wife who has been supportive from the very beginning of this journey. She not only served as a “proofreader” but offered guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way. I would have never made it this far without her. I would also like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Samuel Smith. Dr. Smith provided valuable feedback and patience throughout the process. From Skype sessions to phone calls to numerous emails, Dr. Smith was always available and provided the guidance and direction which allowed me to complete the task. Thanks to Dr. Dave Anderson who not only served on my committee but has been a great friend and mentor since I met him. Dave inspired me to begin this jouney. He encouraged me to persevere and gave me valuable insight into the dissertation process. Thanks also to committee member, Dr. David Tetrault and my research consultant, Dr. Russ Yocum. Both provided me with valuable feedback and encouragement throughout the process. I will be forever grateful for the eight young men who were willing to share their experiences. Their willingness to share their stories made this research possible. I would also like to thank the administrators, counselors, and friends who recommended participants or potential participants. Finally, I would like to thank my parents. Mom and Dad have always encouraged me to strive for and to reach new heights. They have been supportive of me in every aspect of my life including seeking this degree. 4 Contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 4 List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 12 Background ....................................................................................................................... 13 Societal Issue ............................................................................................ 13 Trends in Fatherlessness ........................................................................... 14 Contributing Factors ................................................................................. 14 Ethnic Differences in Fatherlessness ........................................................ 17 Schools and Fatherlessness ....................................................................... 18 Situation to Self................................................................................................................. 18 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................ 19 Purpose Statement ............................................................................................................. 20 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 21 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 21 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 22 Research Plan .................................................................................................................... 22 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 25 5 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................... 25 Role of Fathers .................................................................................................................. 26 Effects of Fathers and Fatherlessness ............................................................................... 31 Social-emotional Effects ........................................................................... 34 Drug and Substance Abuse ....................................................................... 37 Physical Abuse .......................................................................................... 38 Delinquency and Violent Behaviors ......................................................... 39 Poverty ...................................................................................................... 40 Child Health and Sexual Activity ............................................................. 41 School Related Effects .............................................................................. 42 Mentoring and other male role models ............................................................................. 47 Implications for Schools ................................................................................................... 50 Support Programs.............................................................................................................. 51 Summary of Research ....................................................................................................... 52 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 55 Design ............................................................................................................................... 55 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 58 Participants ........................................................................................................................ 59 Setting ............................................................................................................................... 61 Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 62 6 The Researcher’s Role ...................................................................................................... 65 Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 66 Interviews .................................................................................................. 67 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 72 Emerging Design ...................................................................................... 78 Trustworthiness ................................................................................................................. 79 Bracketing ................................................................................................. 79 Three Interview Series .............................................................................. 79 Member Checks ........................................................................................ 80 Audit Trail ................................................................................................. 81 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 81 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ........................................................................................ 83 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 86 Thematic Portrayals .......................................................................................................... 93 Attachment ................................................................................................ 94 Other Influences ........................................................................................ 96 Needs....................................................................................................... 103 Emotions ................................................................................................. 110 Actions/Behavior .................................................................................... 115 Identity .................................................................................................... 120 7 Descriptions .................................................................................................................... 123 Logan’s Textural Description ................................................................. 123 Logan’s Structural Description ............................................................... 126 Logan’s Synthesis Description ............................................................... 128 Kevin’s Textural Description .................................................................. 129 Kevin’s Structural Description ............................................................... 132 Kevin’s Synthesis Description ................................................................ 134 Ethan’s Textural Description .................................................................. 135 Ethan’s Structural Description ................................................................ 140 Ethan’s Synthesis Description ................................................................ 142 Jacob’s Textural Description .................................................................. 142 Jacob’s Structural Description ................................................................ 147 Jacob’s Synthesis Description................................................................. 148 Caleb’s Textural Description .................................................................. 148 Caleb’s Structural Description ................................................................ 150 Caleb’s Synthesis Description ................................................................ 151 James’ Textural Description ................................................................... 152 James’ Structural Description ................................................................. 159 James’ Synthesis Description ................................................................. 160 Joseph’s Textural Description................................................................. 161 8 Joseph’s Structural Description .............................................................. 165 Joseph’s Synthesis Description ............................................................... 167 Robert’s Textural Description................................................................. 168 Robert’s Structural Description .............................................................. 173 Robert’s Synthesis Description ............................................................... 174 Composite Synthesis ............................................................................... 175 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION ................................................................................... 178 Summary of the Findings ................................................................................................ 178 Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 182 Attachment .............................................................................................. 182 Other Influences ...................................................................................... 183 Needs....................................................................................................... 183 Emotions and Behaviors ......................................................................... 183 Idealized View of a Father ...................................................................... 184 Implications..................................................................................................................... 184 Limitations and Recommendations................................................................................. 187 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 188 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 191 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................ 208 APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................. 208 9 APPENDIX B ................................................................................................................. 209 APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................. 210 APPENDIX D ................................................................................................................. 211 APPENDIX E ................................................................................................................. 213 APPENDIX F.................................................................................................................. 215 10
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