Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Nathan Moran

Abstract

Black male children have long experienced paternal abandonment. In some instances, those male children grow up to have sons of their own, yet have no frame of reference of fatherhood from their upbringing. The specific issue for this study was exploring the capacity to control the quality of one’s life entering fatherhood, even when considering the influences related to paternal abandonment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of paternally abandoned Black fathers and their experience of raising their male offspring, to understand how those Black fathers’ past occurrence may affect their relationships with their male offspring. Through primary data collection of five semi-structured interviews and the use of thematic analysis of transcripts, several themes emerged to support the research questions that framed this study. Noted themes included the experiences of abandoned Black fathers, specific effects on parenting, and the influence of paternal abandonment on disciplining the male offspring of abandoned Black fathers. Recommendations for Black men and their families included the integration of counseling, to seek a deeper understanding of the individual who has experienced paternal abandonment. Counseling was noted to lead to an awareness of abandonment that subsequently led to healthier familial relationships between the abandoned Black male and their families. Recommendations for future research included examining the relationship between unique abandonment experiences and the ability to fulfill fatherhood responsibilities amongst the abandoned. Positive social change in the Black community can be elicited by curtailing the cycle of paternal abandonment and the negative social outcomes that may stem from the phenomena.

Download

Share

 
COinS