Date
5-22-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Tanisha Sapp
Keywords
paternal absence, African American women
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Rachelle, "The Experiences of Paternal Absence Among African American Women: A Phenomenological Study" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5661.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5661
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how African American women perceive their experiences of paternal absence. It is essential to capture their experiences to understand how paternal absence influenced their self-esteem, academic achievement, and romantic relationships. Semistructured interviews were conducted on 11 African American women over the age of 18, who experienced paternal absence throughout their life span, and resided in the eastern region of the United States. The phenomenological inquiry allowed participants to describe their own lived experiences. Based on data collected and analyzed from interviews, observations, and reflective bracketing, themes and descriptions emerged that reveal the essence of paternal absence and African American women. The findings of this study were compared with existing literature and interpreted through attachment and paternal investment theories. In addition, the findings were used to provide recommendations for future research on the paternal absence phenomenon.
