Philippine E-Journals

Lived Experiences of Young Adults in Father-Absent Homes: Struggles and Challenges

Pauline Angeline Velasco | Jenice Kei Moscare | Josha Mae Badua Dioquino | Clarice Margaret | Donnabelle Castro

Discipline: Psychology

 

Abstract:

The family is both the key unit and base of society. It is where the child curbs his desires and forms his identity as a person. A family composed of a father, mother and children is an ideal structure in our culture. However, the number of children raised in single parent homes, generally without fathers, is dramatically increasing. This paper explored the experiences of young adults’ living in father-absent homes. It further investigated their insights drawn from the experience and how they coped with the struggles and challenges living without a father. The study used a qualitative approach specifically phenomenological involving nine young adults aged 18-25 years old in Davao City. Four of them undergone a two in-depth interview sessions and five participated in the focus group discussion, which were aided with validated guide questionnaires. Thematic analysis revealed that these young adults experienced a range of difficulties and challenges because of not having a father, including feelings of resentment, incompleteness and the lack of self-identity. Some of them experienced financial difficulties and destructive behaviors. Despite the absence of their fathers, they were able to develop internal resources and perceived themselves as a better father. They attributed their success to their microsystem member, which is their mother and to faith in God. The findings imply how the families, especially parents should provide a nurturing environment where relationship needs of a child are met and that the ecological environment of the child can affect the development of the child.