INTRODUCTION Absent parents and behavioours.pdf

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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study

Introduction

The impact of absent fathers on children’s lives can be long-lasting and

detrimental. Fathers contribute to children regardless of whether they are around or

absent; however, when fathers are firmly involved in their kids’ lives, there is an

advantageous and beneficial impact on child development and family interpersonal

connections (Cabrera et al., 2018). Reports have indicated that fathers are not active in

simple terms, the debate about fatherlessness has centered on the absence of men in their

kids’ lives, particularly boys.

Family dynamics impact the social economic working of children, particularly

those from fatherless homes. Fathers play an essential part in their children’s physical and

mental development. Dysfunctional parental relationships are a global concern, and

fatherlessness is at the heart of it. A father creates a position of power, imparts belonging,

offers safety, and acknowledges promises (Nomaguchi & Milkie, 2020). Every

significant pathology, including violent crime, addiction to drugs and alcohol, teen

pregnancies, self-harm, and suicide, has been associated with fatherlessness more than

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any other single cause (Campioni et al., 2019). Children from fatherless households are

more likely to experience risk variables for criminology, such as deprivation and

deficiency, educational institution failure ratios, and association with the juvenile justice

system (Brown, 2022). They are also more likely to end up incarcerated in the future.

Policymakers and criminologists are alarmed by the disappearance of family-

oriented males from societies because previous studies on society’s family systems have

shown that father absence is a reliable and significant predictor of variation in violence

is present.

Chapter 1 introduces the study by evaluating the diversity of absent fathers and its

implications in a family setup. The chapter presents the research questions and the

problem statement. It also seeks to highlight the purpose of the study along with the

theoretical framework that governs the construction of the survey. Consecutively, the

nature of the study defines the variables and answers significant concerns associated with

the topic. The key terms of the study are explored in the definition section, followed by

the scope and delimitations of the research. The study’s limitations and significance are

addressed in the chapter successively.

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Background

According to Schoppe‐Sullivan and Fagan (2020), almost 25 million children

today have an absent parent. In the United States, the population of children brought up

without a father in the household has hit frightening magnitudes. According to

Nomaguchi and Milkie (2020), the absence of parents was the most significant source of

poverty. The same can be said about crime and violence. Hakovivirta et al. (2021)

indicated that children raised in fatherless families have more mental problems than those

note that such children are also likely to be in prison by the age of 30 and have the

longest time in prison (Hakovivirta et al., 2021).

Cano et al. (2019) pointed out that the research on the hypothesis that single-

parentage leads to criminal activity among youths originated in the early nineteenth

century. This was when the authors studied the background histories of the male

prisoners to find out why they engaged in criminal activities (Cano et al., 2019). Studied

revealed that disobedient children who become delinquents were attributed to family

break up due to parents’ death, abandonment, or divorce (Cano et al., 2019).

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This research sought to respond to a critical knowledge gap within criminology

and family studies to establish how young adults raised in fatherless homes make

decisions that lead them to criminal conduct. However, there is still a need to explore

further the qualitative experiences of affected persons, even though the existing literature

associates the father's absence and negative consequences for children. This study

provided a better understanding of how these young adults’ decisions are affected by the

lack of fathers and how they may have a higher propensity to engage in criminal

Generally, mothers and fathers play significant roles in guaranteeing their

children have healthy and robust societal, emotional, moral, and intellectual development.

Therefore, the absence of a father figure has become a national problem, negatively

impacting young adult life (Cano et al., 2019). For instance, in the United States,

approximately 18,395,000 children live without a biological father, stepfather, or father

figure; hence, around 23 percent of all the children in the US grow up without their

fathers (US Census Bureau, 2017). The problem statement can be further evaluated to

infer that children raised by single parents are three times the world average of children

raised by both parents (Brewer, 2022). Consequently, as single parenting becomes more

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acceptable worldwide, these complimentary responsibilities have been distorted, affecting

our children’s psychological and educational welfare (Chavda & Nisarga, 2023). Most

low-income households are a result of absent fathers. Single parenting was dominantly

depicted in the United States due to high parental divorces, alienation, and incarceration

(Parolin & Lee, 2022). Many children in North Carolina live without regular interaction

with their fathers, which is an exceptionally high rate worldwide. This condition offered

societal and progressive tests and trials.

excessive stress levels and other anger issues, contributing to crime ideation.

Numerous research has linked the prevalence of homicides, suicides, rapes,

aggravated assaults, and other criminal activities to the lack of father figures in homes

(Bago, 2022). Although prior research has clarified the negative implications faced by the

fatherlessness of young adults and how it contributes to the prevalence of criminal

activities, little research has looked at how these young adults’ actual experiences have

influenced their choices in life. There was a need to address the identified gap in the lived

experiences of those raised in a fatherless household in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the qualitative phenomenological research was to investigate the

experiences of young adults raised by one caregiver and how the lack of fathers in the

household impacted their decision-making processes concerning engaging in criminal

behaviors. It also aimed to investigate how these adolescents assess the influence of

absent fatherhood on their life choices. The contemporary qualitative study has examined

the experiences of young people (ages 18 and above) in Charlotte, North Carolina, who

father, and how does this influence a child’s decision-making process?

RQ2: How do older adults perceive the decision-making process of growing up

with an absent father influencing engaging in criminal behaviors later in life?

Theoretical Framework for the Study

The John Bowlby attachment theory is suitable for the current study since it

emphasizes the value of the connection between a kid and their parents. According to

Bowlby (1958), attachment starts in early childhood and lasts the rest of one’s life. He

also highlighted several intrinsic behavioral control mechanisms necessary for survival

and reproduction. Similarly, Thompson Ross et al. (2021) argued that early parent-child

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interactions influence the societal progress of emotion management and the development

of prosocial and ethical purposes in the early years. According to the authors, a kid with a

stable attachment feels pleasant emotions and is loved by their caretakers, such as the

mother and the father. A child, however, who feels neglected and rejected by the parents

may slowly develop psychological issues that may impact the child’s decision-making

later in life, resulting in crime indulgence. This idea holds that every child needs to feel

connected to at least one caregiver (Keller, 2018). A strong bond with parents gives the

including academic performance, psychological and social growth, health, and labor-

force success (Brewer, 2022). They are more likely to develop problematic personality

traits as early adults if their caregivers are not attentive to their emotional needs (Keller,

2018). Similar to how a child’s contact with a caregiver is essential for socialization, its

absence was linked to emotional problems, antisocial behavior, and juvenile criminality

(Fairchild et al., 2019). Each child needs to have a warm, caring, and trustworthy

connection with both of their parents. Children who do not have these interactions with

their guardians are more likely to feel abandoned and rejected (Bartlett & Smith, 2019).

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Few surveys have examined the impacts of fatherhood on father-child bonding,

considering the numerous contributions made by dads to developing their children and

families (Shoppe-Sullivan et al., 2020). However, the attachment theory presupposes that

the connection between fathers and children can foster linkages for safe attachment. As a

result, according to attachment theory, father-child interactions and relationship patterns

in the early years of life contribute to the development of most aspects of a child’s

functioning throughout early adulthood. Thanks to their fathers, children grow intellects

The Bowlby attachment theory applies to this study since it establishes the

significance of the caregiver-child connection, which will eventually reinforce a child’s

behavior and actions later in life (Feeney & Collins, 2019). The philosophy was also

critical for this investigation since it emphasized fathers as attachment figures based on

two main elements. First and foremost, a father’s responsibility is to protect and cherish

his child. Next, he must encourage youngsters to explore and try new things (Cosentino,

2018).

The Bowlby attachment theory is appropriate for the current research because it

emphasizes the bond between parents and their children. According to a study, it begins

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in early childhood and lasts forever. He also highlighted several intrinsic behavioral

control systems required for survival and reproduction. Parents substantially influence

their children’s psychological growth and decision-making process. Parents want their

children to be contented and fruitful in life, and character choice is one aspect that affects

their well-being and achievement. Conferring to studies, when students feel reinforced

and treasured by their parents, they have more self-assurance in their aptitude to explore

professions and elect one that is fascinating and exhilarating (Cano et al., 2019).

The research study was qualitative in methodology, centrally based on generating

findings and further investigations to understand the qualitative data comprehensively.

The qualitative research gathered fatherless children’s experiences, behavior, and

perceptions. In contrast to quantitative research, qualitative research offers a thorough

grasp of a group of people’s subjective familiarities and perspectives concerning a topic

(Thompson et al., 2021). A qualitative research strategy was most appropriate since the

study’s goals will be linked with the methodological principles of gathering in-depth

data, subjectivity, and constructivism. Semistructured interviews were considered by

McGrath et al. (2019) as an appropriate approach for qualitative researchers, especially

2020). The research problem addresses the concerns that little research has looked at how

these young adults’ experiences have influenced their choices in life. There was a need to

address the identified gap in the lived experiences of those raised in a fatherless

household in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Therefore, the study’s primary purpose was to investigate the experiences of

young adults raised by one caregiver and how the lack of fathers in the household

impacted their decision-making processes concerning engaging in criminal behaviors. It

research method to examine the subjective experiences of young adults with an absent

father in the current study. The two assumptions of the research are that delinquent

tendencies are unavoidable in fatherless males and that rage and sadness are common

among fatherless adolescents. The research is, therefore, significant in establishing how

familial dynamics and a lack of fatherly engagement are predictors of adolescent criminal

behavior. The findings of this study shed light on how young individuals without fathers

make decisions about their professions, romantic relationships, and other aspects of their

lives and whether the decisions made increase the propensity to engage in crimes.

However, the study’s main limitation was that findings are impractical for children whose

fathers’ absence was due to natural causes such as death.

Therefore, with this in mind, it was crucial to facilitate an appraisal of the present

literature to define the gaps that the current study intends to fill and cite primary and

general observations depicted in the chapter. Chapter 2 will offer an overview of previous

research and introduce the framework for the research, which is composed of the central

focus of the study.

Introduction

Research suggests that both parents are crucial for fostering their children’s

positive and robust social, psychological, upright, and cognitive growth (Bago, 2022).

Children’s social and economic development are impacted by family dynamics,

particularly for those coming from fatherless homes. Fathers are critical in the

development of a child’s mind and body. Fatherlessness is one of the world’s prevalent

18 and above) who were fatherless as children and the effects they experienced as adults

in their households, at educational institutions, and surrounding neighborhoods. This

research’s main objective was to investigate how the lack of father figures in families

impacted young children’s decision-making processes concerning engaging in criminal

behavior later in life. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate how these young adults

assess the influence of absent fatherhood on their life choices.

This chapter overviews current knowledge and identifies pertinent theories and

methodologies. It highlights gaps in extant research on absent fathers and the likelihood

that these children engaged in criminal behavior later in life. Chapter 2 includes a review

of the history and theoretical framework, followed by research noting the father

engagement’s overall positive and negative significance. Some of the significant sections

of the chapter include literature search strategies, a theoretical foundation, a literature

review, and a summary. The overall positive and negative significance of father

engagement follows this. Sequentially, the study discusses the resulting impacts of father

disengagement while highlighting social, psychological, academic, and criminal

implications. The literature review, therefore, focused on specific areas of study that offer

contributed to addressing the constraints or gaps regarding criminal implications of

young adults who grew up without paternal involvement.

Literature Search Strategy

The following search terms were used in the study to bring out the diversities of

the implications of absent fathers on the lives of young adults: absent father, young

adults-father relationship, parental significance on a child’s psychological well-being,

fathers’ impact on life decision making, mutuality between father absentee and crime,

implications of single parenthood on young adults, and finally, impacts of caregivers on

adolescents. The search terms were typed into databases, including Google Scholar,

Science Direct, Walden University Library, Sage, and EBSCO Host. Articles with the

most relevant and overall understanding of absent fathers’ impact on young adults’

livelihood were selected. Some of the key search terms include crime ideation, absent

fathers, parent-child relationships, social relations, single-parent families, children’s

outcomes, and fatherless children.

The iterative search process involved building and refining the search terms and

databases based on each search’s results. For instance, in this study, the words “absent

were assessed and critiqued to ensure they conducted the most current subject matter

analyses.

Theoretical Foundation

The study utilized John Bowlby’s attachment theory (1969) to understand the

criminal implications of young adults who grow up without their fathers. Attachment

theory is a psychological model that defines the nature of the emotional relationship

between infants and their caregivers. Bowlby proposed that this bond, which he called

attachment, was a fundamental aspect of human nature and serves an essential

evolutionary purpose in ensuring the survival and well-being of infants (Bowlby, 2021).

John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

John Bowlby has been central in understanding children's development and

capacity to experience affectionate relationships with caregivers. The theory has

generated a lot of interest, and the literature has revealed a lot of truth in this theory.

Bowlby’s attachment theory, therefore, hinges on the fact that the infant is biologically

infants form a secure base with the caregiver, they will have confidence with people

around them and can regulate their emotions and behavior. This secure attachment also

provides the child with a starting point from where they can interact with other elements

in the world since they know where to go in case they are threatened or feel threatened by

the world (Fraley & Shaver, 2021).

Therefore, Bowlby’s attachment theory has received much support from research.

Research indicates that children who establish secure attachments with their caregivers

tend to have positive self-esteem, are more competent in interacting with others, and have

enhanced social skills (Ainoutdinova & Ainoutdinova, 2019). On the other hand, children

with an insecure attachment pattern could face different emotional and social issues, such

as anxiety, depression, and aggressiveness (Ainoutdinova & Ainoutdinova, 2019).

The first positive aspect of Bowlby’s attachment theory is that it explains why so

many behaviors and incidences fall under the attachment theory. For example, Bowlby

noted that while adults also possess attachment behavior, it is especially evident in

young-aged children and babies. He postulated that adult attachment needs are inherent in

infancy, where adults seek other people’s help to feel protected (Ainoutdinova &

recognition of distinct forms of attachment has prompted more studies on how attachment

styles may be altered or adjusted.

However, Bowlby’s attachment theory is not only successful, but it is also under

criticism. Perhaps the major criticism was that the theory concentrated on the mother-

infant bond and excluded other people who spend much time with the child. The other

criticism was that the theory might be culturally sensitive since it has been examined in

Western culture and might not work in different cultures (Fitzgerald, 2021).

Bowlby’s attachment theory is characterized by several key elements: attachment

behavior, attachment bond, internal working model, and attachment styles. The theory

proposes that infants are born with an innate tendency to seek proximity to their primary

caregiver, usually their mother, and to maintain contact with them (Bowlby, 2021). This

behavior, which he called attachment behavior, is motivated by the infant’s need for

safety, security, and comfort (Bowlby, 2021). On the other hand, an attachment bond

depicts parents’ consistent and sensitive response to the infant’s needs – a strong

attachment bond was formed between them. The bond provides a secure base from which

the infant can explore the world and a haven to return when they feel threatened or

bond develop internal working models and meandered presentations of themselves,

others, and relationships. These internal working models guide the child’s expectations

for future relationships and influence their emotional and social behavior throughout life

(Bowlby, 2021). Finally, attachment styles depict both secure, avoidant, and anxious-

ambivalent attachments. Infants with secure attachment bonds tend to have positive

developmental outcomes, while infants with avoidant or anxious-ambivalent attachment

styles may be at risk for emotional and social difficulties (Ainoutdinova & Ainoutdinova,

2019). In conclusion, according to Bowlby’s attachment theory, the relationships that

individuals have in their childhood affect their emotional and social development, and

parents and other caregivers are significant in the development of their children.

Concisely, John Bowlby’s attachment theory remains pertinent to the study of

parent-child attachment. There are some studies, such as Ainoutdnovar & Ainoutdinova

(2019), Bowlby (2021), and Fitzgerald (2021), which have supported the theory and

described the role of early attachment relationships in an individual’s socio-emotional

development. Despite the flaws mentioned and the criticism of the theory, the main

experience and culture may shape those views, and how the views shape the father’s

interaction with the child. The parent self-efficacy might be critical in defining the quality

of the figure-child dating (Albanese et al., 2019).

Albanese et al. (2019) undertook a scientific assessment of the role of parental

self-efficacy in parent and baby well-being, imparting insights into how the self-

perceived capacity of a father to satisfy his parenting position can affect his interplay

with his infant. The authors determined that higher ranges of parental self-efficacy have

been related to more excellent extraordinary parenting behaviors and higher child effects.

By extension, while a father views himself as a successful figure and believes that he can

efficiently carry out his position, it’s much more likely that he interacted in an extra

positive manner with his child.

Fathers’ conduct is not only influenced by their self-perceptions but also by

external factors. One of these is the behavioral traits of their children, particularly those

with special needs like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Crowel et al. (2019) studied

parenting conduct and the improvement of kids with ASD. They determined that ASD

children’s behavior can appreciably affect parenting strategies, impacting their

Fathers who can balance the needs of each traditional and contemporary fathering role

may have higher self-efficacy and, consequently, more valuable interactions with their

children.

Divorce or marital separation changes the family structure and living

arrangements, highlighting notable gender biases and differences. Recognizing the

significance of father involvement in child development and its role as a protective factor,

Lizarazu and Cracco (2021) conducted a systematic review to identify the variables

associated with father involvement in non-residential fathers. By applying specific search

and selection criteria, the study analyzed 14 primary research papers. The results showed

Furthermore, when considering the role of marital conflict in parenting behaviors,

Gao et al. (2019) noted that higher levels of marital conflict led to an upsurge in negative

parenting behaviors such as hostility and inconsistency. A father raising a toddler is a

subsystem of a more extensive system known as a family. Thus, it depends on family

relationships and marital conflict (Gao et al., 2019). As such, preventing and controlling

marital fights becomes important to enhance the father-baby association.

In addressing the effects of family types on adolescents, Wikle and Hoagland

father-child relationship.

In addition, a father’s association with his child may significantly vary depending

on the family’s context. If the father is part of a family with low levels of marital conflict,

his bond with his child will likely be different compared to a father from a high-conflict

household or a single-parent family. The father-child relationship will be strained in high-

warfare families because of the stress of the discord affecting the kid and the father alike,

probably leading to emotional detachment, strain, or decreased prime time together

(Wikle & Hoagland, 2020). Conversely, in single-determined households or step-circles

of relatives, there are extra obstacles to the father-toddler bond, including geographical

distance, reduced daily interaction, or difficulties adapting to a new circle of relative

contributors (Wikle & Hoagland, 2020).

However, a robust father-baby connection can be nurtured despite these

demanding situations. For instance, fathers can strive to maintain high-quality interaction

with their children, even when confronted with geographical distance or family conflicts.

Additionally, households can seek assistance to control marital battles, lowering their

impact on children and improving the overall circle of relatives’ dynamic. Moreover,

challenging for Hispanic children (Lee & McLanahan, 2015). Furthermore, Lee and

McLanahan proposed avenues for future research, emphasizing the need for further

investigation into within-population differences, including racial disparities, and

exploring the nuances of different types of family structure transitions. Recognizing the

relevance of family structure and the significance of changes contributes to a more

comprehensive and profound comprehension of the influence of father participation on

child growth (Lee & McLanahan, 2015).

Criminal Behavior and Father Incarceration

The structure of a family performs a pivotal function in shaping a child’s conduct

and typical well-being. A child from a single-parent family may have an amplified

propensity to participate in criminal activities (Arditti & McGregor, 2019). Children from

these households might be exposed to unstable domestic environments, and some may

even encounter situations threatening their safety. Such occasions often negatively affect

their intellectual fitness, underlining the essential effect of their family shape on an

better probability of delinquent behaviors in youngsters, mainly boys, doubtlessly

impacting their health and well-being in maturity.

However, the motives behind a father’s absence may be complex and

multifaceted. Some fathers might be geographically distant, while others may be bored

stiff or incapable of keeping their involvement due to terrible relations with the kid’s

mother or non-public issues, including substance abuse (Arditti & McGregor, 2019).

Moreover, one specific kind of father absence, frequently neglected in studies, is because

of navy deployment.

Military deployment often necessitates extended separation between the father

and child, disrupting their courting and potentially leading to socio-psychological

demanding situations for the child and developing a successful strategy to sustain the association between a father

and child during the father’s absence and to ensure its restoration upon his return (Arditti & McGregor, 2019). In that case, it

may mitigate the parenting strain associated with this case.

Furthermore, the study by Kim and Glassgow (2018) focused on the effect of

father absence in single-mother households on children’s criminal intake. In line with

significant strengths of the Kim and Glassgow (2018) study is the focus on the

importance of interventions that support single-parent families and minimize the adverse

effects of father absence. The researchers stressed that the solution to these problems

requires targeted programs focused on providing assistance, goods, and services to

single-parent families. The authorities and society, in general, may contribute to the

overall atmosphere for children being more loving, possibly reducing the likelihood of

criminalization through enhancing parenting skills, providing a better financial situation,

and widening the community support system. The research by Simmons et al. (2018)

aimed at exploring the link between paternal disengagement and delinquency, but the

authors limited their study to African American families. Some of the findings pointed

out in the study were that African-American children have a higher propensity to engage

in delinquent behaviors if their father is absent. The consequence of paternal absence is

compounded by the unique challenges faced by such families, including the issue of

poverty and other forms of marginalization. In evaluating its findings, the study stresses

culturally appropriate treatments and discusses the difficulties faced by African-

American families to reduce the chances of criminality.

finding positive role models. Various factors predispose a father’s level of involvement

with an infant’s lifestyle. Such factors can include the marital family members' place of

residence, the mother’s view towards the father-child relationship, and the father’s self-

assurance regarding his role in the family (Arditti & McGregor, 2019). Other aspects,

such as other physiological factors and a change of the family setting the child moves to

as the father goes away, also come into play. Recognizing those aspects enables one to

understand the positive outcomes of fathers' involvement in their toddlers' lives (Arditti

& McGregor, 2019). Through the analysis of this topic, one can highlight the importance

of a father figure in determining their child’s existence, behavior, and even general health

status in the future.

The Effects of a Protective Father

This section clearly describes some aspects of fathering that benefit child

development. Several studies have explored the connection between positive father

involvement and the following beneficial behaviors among children: reduced probability

of engaging in sexual activities and binge drinking, relatively low susceptibility to peer

survey by Lesch and Scheffler (2015), eighty-four participants were interviewed. Most

fathers who participated in the study yearned for a better life for their children than they

had. The study also analyzed how these fathers shifted to better their children's lives.

These include paying for their education, nurturing them on moral issues and etiquette,

hard work and determination, interpersonal relations, etc. Such strategies afford a holistic

perspective on protective fatherhood in supporting their child's future.

Ernst et al. (2019) took the opposite approach and focused on how nature-based

preschools could affect children’s reserves and other protection. However, in their

discussion, Ernst et al. (2019) noted that the level of paternal engagement could be

helpful in that regard. The influence of paternal protective care was found to mediate

protective care about outdoor activities with the father figure for building resilience in

children. They facilitate the formation of attachments between a father and a child and

allow the child to be initiated into real-life situations with the necessary supervision,

hence developing coping mechanisms (Ernst et al., 2019).

In contrast, Austin et al. (2020) identified risk and protective factors for child

maltreatment differently. They also mentioned that protective fathering minimizes the

(2020) offered a detailed analysis of the outcomes of warm temperature and control by

the mother and father about a child’s externalizing and internalizing troubles (Rothenberg

et al., 2020). Understandably, their study included nine countries, thus introducing a

certain degree of multiculturalism into the reflected discourses. Specifically, warmth and

Appropriate control increase the level of protection that a father provides for children and

subsequently reduce children’s externalizing and internalizing problems. Such issues are

aggression and rebellion, which are conflict-associated or externalizing concerns, and

anxiety and depression, which are belonging-associated or internalizing concerns.

As highlighted by Rothenberg et al. (2020), the protective father has been

identified to be a significant hindering factor in a child’s behavioral and emotional

wellbeing. Thus, the warm touch from the father helps regulate emotions for the child as

they are assured of security and can regulate on their own (Rothenberg et al., 2020). On

the other hand, proper control leads to responsible behavior in the child, who is aware of

specific societal rules and restrictions. Several positive consequences associated with

developing a child’s self-regulation of emotions and appropriate behavior are attributed

throughout childhood and adulthood (Austin et al., 2020). These insights contribute to the

further clarification of the father as a protector, thus paving the way for additional

exploration and acknowledgment of this significant relational function.

These studies unequivocally deliver the message that having a protective father

figure in a child's life is a tremendous asset. Protective fathering includes playing with the

child and other activities within and outside the compound, ensuring that the child is not

abused, and providing warmth and control to affect the child’s emotional and behavioral

development (Rothenberg et al., 2020). This protective presence is in the child's interest

as a shield against adversity and a foundation for a prosperous life. This sheds light on

the significance of having positive father-toddler relationships and the implications of a

defensive dad on children’s lives.

The Difference in Demographics in Paternal Involvement

In the study by Van Holland De Graaf et al. (2018), the authors focused on the

kinds of parenting that mothers and fathers display with consideration of

sociodemographic characteristics that are considered crucial. The study gathered data by

conducting surveys of 1197 mothers and 903 fathers with children aged between 2 and 17

more than mothering (Van Holland De Graaf et al., 2018). Therefore, a suggested

relationship between men’s parenting behavior and the factors mentioned above, similar

to maternal parenting behavior, supported this theory partly. The study outcomes

indicated the societal expectations of parenthood and the responsibilities of the mother

and father figures.

Similarly, a review article by Rollè et al. (2019) systematically integrates the

literature on the link between father engagement and a child's developmental skills at

early and middle childhood levels (Rollè et al. 2019). This was true according to the

findings made by the researchers regarding the level of involvement by the fathers and

the impact on the children. In this regard, it is important to note that the level of

participation depended on the child’s gender, as both parents reported more involvement

with girls than boys. Variations observed during the preschool years might have been due

to the amount of time spent on learning; this could be the reason there could be cross-

sectional differences in math and reading achievement noted among the children. This

underscores the importance of the parent’s perception of how much quality time they

spend with their children due to parent-child relations.

its significance to an exceptional level. This direct intervention in the acquisition of

knowledge by the child will enhance the child’s educational outcomes, reinforcing the

importance of the father’s role in the toddler’s learning process. Moreover, fathers’

absence can lead to precise perceptions in children, which include the influence of

receiving little to no approval or emotional affection from their fathers, impacting their

emotional well-being (Zhang et al., 2020).

In Japan, where fathers have a short leave after childbirth and, thus, limited

involvement in childcare due to complex working schedules, Ochi and Fujiwara (2021)

studied the impact of fatherly childcare during toddlers on children’s behavioral

However, the study did not find significant evidence supporting the notion that exposure

to other left-behind children in the same classroom negatively affected a child’s in-school

outcomes.

The Impact of Absent Fathers on Life Decisions

FaFatherlessness's influence on the kind of life decisions children undertake is a

complex reality researchers worldwide study from different perspectives. A father's

absence influences such children, who often experience numerous difficulties during their

low self-esteem, and an exacerbation of complications affecting psychological wellbeing

(Humphreys, 2019).

Concerning the barriers arising from the parents’ migration, the findings by Lam

and Yeoh (2019) can add to the understanding of how a father’s absence affects decision-

making in life. Disruptions in the life of a child left behind by the migrating father occur

throughout the day and lead to distress and uncertainty. This upheaval may change their

perception of stability and security, and it is to prevent such occurrences that such

decisions may be made in the future (Lam and Yeoh, 2019). Stress and disruption may

lead to poor performance of children in school and a low probability of changing their

social class once they grow up.

Furthermore, Stein et al. (2019) explained how the life-threatening illness impacts

the child’s experience and perception of reality. Hence, another form of support may be

necessary to help the child cope with such extreme situations, especially when this

support is absent (Stein et al., 2019). When one does not have a father figure during such

incidents, wrong choices can be made out of fear, confusion, or lack of knowledge. This

opt for need-prompted incentives and not gain-prompted ones (Reiss et al., 2019). These

children are not necessarily preoccupied with wanting to gain an education or become

any better since their primary focus is satisfying their needs.

Coping Mechanisms and Resilience in Children from Fatherless Households

Also, youth who never had a father present in their early childhood experience

certain issues in their physical well-being, behavior, and decisions that can be traced to

the absence of a father figure. Another important topic for further study in the context of

father absence is examining the coping patterns and the buffering factors used by these

children to adapt their scenarios and avoid dangerous behaviors such as criminal activity

due to the missing fathers. This section discusses materials from literature sources based

on 2017 about how children who grow up in fatherless homes learn to cope with their

challenges.

The methods children from fatherless homes have employed to handle their

situations have been studied. Barmark, Agnafors, and Sydsjö conducted a study in 2021

investigating the relationship between teenage psychological disorders and father

absence. Lastly, the study affirmed that it is essential to mitigate the psychological

figure. They discovered that children who had formed secure attachment bonds with

different caretakers were likely to demonstrate adaptive coping styles each time they

faced a stressful event. These kids could have avoided such conduct, lowering the

probability of participating in criminal conduct as they sought other constructive ways of

expressing anger, enhancing both emotional regulation and pro-social conduct.

However, the study by Bamishigbin et al. (2017) examined life stressors among

adolescent girls and explored how girls from low-income fatherless families manage such

stressors. The analysis indicated that the lack of dads contributed to building strengths,

including pervasive individualism and resilience to fight or advance amid economic and

social barriers (Bamishigbin et al., 2017). This shows how much strength found from

being fatherless children can ensure that the children will not turn to crime despite the

lack of resources and support structures.

In this case, it is imperative to note resilience as one of the significant outcomes

of effective coping strategies, and understanding the coping mechanisms employed by the

children from fatherless homes to operate their lives depends on resilience. Other

experiences that have been researched include father absence among young African

fatherless homes and the coping behaviours that would develop, it is also important to

note that not all coping behaviours are beneficial. In the study by Ban et al., they targeted

only Chinese adolescents from single-mother homes. They confirmed that several coping

styles, such as avoidance and social isolation, may result in internalizing problems and

emotional disorders in adolescents. Thus, one can understand that there is a conceptual

variation in how well coping can occur based on the nature of coping strategies and the

circumstances surrounding using them to deter unlawful actions and decisions.

For this reason, several works have contributed to identifying factors that increase

resiliency in children when exposed to adversity and the ability to abstain from negative

behaviors such as involvement in criminal activities due to fatherless homes. They, thus,

stand a greater chance of being resilient if they adopt constructive ways of coping,

including seeking help when needed, developing attachment, and gaining from

sponsorship. These findings underscore coping strategies and resilience interventions as

potential preventive avenues for mitigating the negative repercussions of the father’s

absence and the propensity to engage in criminal activities. Nevertheless, further studies

are required to assess trajectories of coping resilience and its dependence on specific

deterring crime. It also focused on how family conflicts and social inequality affect

father-child bonds and how supportive social networks are helpful.

On the other hand, the conceptual framework is geared towards the emotional and

behavioral repercussions of paternal alienation. According to the research, children

growing up without a father figure often experience problematic development and engage

in antisocial behaviors that contribute to violent crimes. It advocates for more research on

the complex connection between fathers who are physically absent and their children’s

criminality.

In the literature review section, the impression that can be garnered is that

academicians conform to the notion that children with absent fathers exhibit criminal

propensities. However, the following gaps can be identified in the current literature:

There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship, which means that the lack of fathers in

the home does not conclusively lead to children engaging in criminal activities. However,

the relationship between these two phenomena and the intermediaries that connect them

still need to be examined. The last type of uncertainty is related to the ambiguity of the

delinquency. Besides, it facilitates the evaluation of the effectiveness of other preventive

measures and control strategies, including using mentors and family therapy among

fatherless children to curb criminality.

However, current literature lacks adequate data collection methodologies that

focus on the relationship between absent fathers and delinquent behaviors among

children. To fill this gap, effective and extensive data collection methods must address

this association adequately. These procedures could comprise observational studies,

surveys, and interviews of people affected by the father's absence. By maneuvering these

tactics, researchers can understand how the father's absence affects those children and

their criminal conduct. This will further help researchers formulate the proper

intervention methods that would encourage father involvement and lessen the chances of

children turning to criminal conduct.

This research stage extends the discussion of the literature review and

comprehension of prior studies with the following research design of how to perform this

study. Therefore, the third chapter outlines the methodological approach adopted to address

the study's objective. They also explain the research methodology, justification for the

Chapter 3: Research Method

Introduction

The research aimed to explore the experience of young adults raised by one

caregiver and how the lack of a father in their family affected their decision-making

processes about participating in criminal behaviors. It also investigated how absent

fatherhood influences adolescents’ life choices. The study sample is young adults

between 18 and above residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, with no father as children. It

assist the researcher in solving the research question. This chapter includes the research

process, including how respondents were approached, the study was conducted, the target

population, and the procedures and techniques employed in data collecting, processing,

and analysis. The following subsections include research design, data collecting, and

analysis.

Research Design and Rationale

The two research questions that guided the research were as follows:

RQ1: How do older adults perceive growing up entirely or partially without a

father, and how does this influence a child’s decision-making process?

RQ2: How do older adults perceive the decision-making process of growing up

with an absent father influencing engaging in criminal behaviors later in life?

Phenomenon of Study

This qualitative study investigated the correlation between fatherlessness and the

crime rate in Charlotte, North Carolina, driven by increased out-of-wedlock childbirths

and rising divorce rates. It sought to establish whether a statistically noteworthy

relationship exists between the prevalence of crime and the number of fatherless children,

Qualitative research aided in exploring the primary objective of the study. The

approach provided an extensive understanding of the subjective encounters and

perspectives of the groups of participants concerning a definite phenomenon rather than

including a factual evaluation of variables, as depicted in the quantitative approach.

According to Silverman, a qualitative research approach systematically explores a

phenomenon depending on people’s formative experiences (Silverman, 2013).

Following the objectives and purpose of this study, a qualitative research

approach was deemed suitable. This choice aligns with the methodological principles of

gathering detailed data, embracing subjectivity, and adopting a constructivist perspective

(Marshall & Rossman, 2014). Qualitative research aims to comprehend a phenomenon by

utilizing tools that can elicit detailed information beyond the scope of standardized

instruments with predetermined responses (Ritchie et al., 2013). The open-ended nature

of data collection in qualitative research allows for a range of answers and elucidations to

be uncovered, enhancing the richness and diversity of the findings. Unlike quantitative

research, which typically focuses on numerical data, qualitative studies are better suited

to capture the complexity and depth of responses, offering a more nuanced understanding

The utilization of other qualitative research designs, such as grounded theory,

case study, and ethnography, due to their lack of association with the purpose of the

study, was deemed inappropriate. A case study was unsuitable, as it would not

sufficiently capture the lived experiences and long-term implications of the group of

individuals under investigation, as semi-structured interviews were deemed more

conducive to achieving this comprehensive understanding than relying solely on multiple

data sources commonly employed in case studies. Grounded theory is not applicable as

the study’s focus did not involve explicitly generating hypotheses about the relationship

between absent fathers and the prosperity of criminal behavior among young adults.

consistent questions and were obtained from a previous study and coded to the current

study when an approval letter was received from the researcher. The research questions

specified in Chapter One were utilized as the framework for developing the

questionnaire, and all the questions were addressed with precision in addressing a

particular aspect of the study. The ten questions in the survey were ambiguous, and the

respondents provided written answers. Hence, each question was closely aligned with

several areas of study to ensure that it was relevant to the research objectives. The

development and validation process was undergone. The initial step for developing the

questionnaire involved an extensive review of the literature to identify the research

evidence about the ramifications of father absence, criminality, and child growth

(McGrath et al., 2018). Thus, the questions in the study were developed while

considering the study's goals and the specificities of the participants’ experiences.

Furthermore, three experts on the subject were contacted to review the

questionnaire. To ascertain that every item aligned with the research question and

captured what it aimed to capture, the questionnaire was reviewed for content validity by

three academics in criminology, family studies, and qualitative studies (McGrath et al.,

2018). The findings by the experts were incorporated into the final form to enhance the

reliability and validity of the questionnaires. Companies could easily source their subject-

matter specialists from academic institutions. I want to acknowledge the professors and

researchers of criminology, family studies, and qualitative research who offered guidance

on the questionnaire’s format and content. They are well-equipped to provide

constructive feedback grounded in their understanding of the field, methods, and abilities.

There were also subject-matter experts in research organizations and institutes

meetings, and on-line conferences where scholars and practitioners in different

disciplines shared their knowledge.

The questions included in the survey were all open-ended, with 10. In describing

experiences and opinions in their own words using open-ended survey questions, the

participants provided researchers with broad and detailed data sets (McGrath et al.,

2018). Moreover, to the list of research activities, the researcher included reflexive

journaling to capture his thoughts and impressions as the research was conducted. To

mitigate self-bias in data collection, the study employed reflexive journaling to reduce

researcher bias and enhance the study's credibility.

Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection

By posting multiple advertisements, potential participants were recruited through

various online platforms, specifically Facebook and Twitter. If insufficient persons

responded to the online advertisements, the research was required to consider alternative

methods, such as local community organizations or academic institutions, to share

recruitment materials. Nevertheless, the study did not use personal contacts for referrals

to reduce biases and maintain objectivity. Before the commencement of data collection,

mainly when conducting interviews in public spaces, and therefore, close coordination

with each participant is necessary to determine a suitable and confidential interview

location and time.

The responsibility for the data collection procedure lies with the scholar,

including conducting the interviews. To facilitate a smooth data collection process, the

researcher developed and evaluated an interview guide to ensure its effectiveness in

guiding the interviews and promoting a comprehensive exploration of the research topic.

Each participant underwent a single interview session during the data collection process.

Each interview was expected to be approximately 45-60 minutes, providing ample time

for participants to share their experiences and perspectives.

Digital recorders were used to capture and store the interview data. Partakers were

informed before the interviews that the sessions were recorded to facilitate data analysis

in subsequent stages of the study. Furthermore, the researcher assured that the interview

recordings remained confidential and inaccessible to anyone other than the researcher

solely for data analysis. This research did not require additional data collection sessions

the data. The study’s goals and the depth of the information gleaned from semi-structured

interviews are well-matched by this methodology.

After transcription, the generated interview transcripts were preserved and

arranged using Nvivo software. Nvivo is a tool that stores and manages vast amounts of

qualitative data for analysis. The researcher was responsible for conducting the data

analysis. There were various steps in the Nvivo thematic analysis process. First, the

transcripts were read several times to acquaint the researcher with the data. Initial codes

were then created to pinpoint significant text passages connected to the study questions.

These preliminary codes were honed and organized into prospective themes that echo the

experiences and viewpoints of the partakers.

The research questions were answered through semi-structured interviews, which

were done to capture diverse data. RQ1 aimed to comprehend how the father's absence

influences a child's decision-making skills. The information for RQ1 was determined

through the interview participants' tales. An initial coding procedure was applied to code

this data, highlighting significant text passages. These initial codes were then refined,

toward criminal activities. The researcher conducted thematic analysis by refining

Revising the transcripts and refining them required multiple iterations of readings. The

last stage was about identifying underlying patterns from the data, interpreting the data

findings, and finally using these to summarize and make assumptions. Direct quotes and

examples from the participant narratives bolstered the analysis and supported the

interpretations.

Issues of Trustworthiness

One of the characteristics worth noting while comparing qualitative and

quantitative research is that in qualitative research, trustworthiness was deemed to be

more essential than validity and reliability. Credibility, transferability, dependability, and

confirmability were undertaken while improving trustworthiness in several aspects

(Kääriäinen & Elo, 2020). Hence, the present study ensured that the following steps were

to be taken to elicit the required responses:

accounts with the researcher and their interpretations. Such measures were taken to

ensure that sample saturation was achieved to capture all the required data (Nyirenda et

al., 2020)—reflection, consideration, and minimization of biases, as well as the attempt at

obtaining independent review and critique.

Transferability

Generalizability is the degree to which the findings can be generalized to other

settings. To ensure transferability, the authors provided a clear and detailed account of the

methods used in the research and its setting. To enhance transferability, the researcher

provided a detailed account of the research process, participants’ demographics, research

context, and data collection methods. Thus, such detailed elaboration enables readers to

understand how the study can be relevant to different scenarios and whether the outcomes

could be utilized in other settings (Kyngäs et al., 2020).

Dependability

Credibility and trustworthiness concerns about how other researchers would

replicate the findings. The researcher ensured that documentation of the research

procedure, including decisions made during data collection and analysis, was thorough to

Confirmability is about the findings and the reliability in upholding research

methodologies that enhance credibility. The researcher timestamped the process and

documented biases and assumptions that could influence the study results, making it

conforming. By identifying and eliminating such biases, the researcher maintained

objectivity, and the information gathered was used to drive the conclusions rather than

biases influencing the results. (Kyngäs et al., 2020).

Ethical Procedures

The study was ethical as participants willingly provided their consent through

basic information about the study: objectives, methodology, and contact details of the

researcher. In this manner, informed consent forms are essential in ethical research to

guarantee individuals’ comprehension of the study and participation (Shaw et al., 2020).

It was clear that the participants on the forms filled out their acknowledgment of the

terms they gave. Another permission that was needed for the research was permission

from the Walden University Institutional Review Board (IRB). The study participants

were only used after they consented to the study being conducted on them.

Since the topic of the research study is on the father's absence, the risks of

participants related to the researcher regarding work, friendship, or kinship. However,

these personal contacts helped identify potential participants for the study. All the

individuals who participated in the research were willing participants and were not

enlisted forcefully.

The interview and questionnaire data were kept private, but the subjects were not

anonymous. This means that the good researcher understood that the participants were

individuals with identities, but personal and private details such as names were protected

to maintain anonymity (Shaw et al., 2020). To preserve the anonymity of the participants

during data storage, names or code numbers were used to block information deemed

confidential. This helped avoid the disclosure of the real identity of the participants while

providing the study findings.

This chapter presented the method used in the study: the research design, which

was qualitative with a phenomenological paradigm. The researcher was involved in

participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results in the study.

The chosen data collection technique was semi-structured interviews, which enabled the

through member checks, reflexivity, thick descriptions, and audit trail procedures. They

respected ethical issues such as informed consent and issues of confidentiality were

observed.

This research employed a qualitative methodology to understand the plight and

attitude of individuals raised in father-deficient homes and the effects on criminality. The

researcher assumed an active role in selecting participants, data collection, and analysis.

Semi-structured interviews were face-to-face, which enabled the researchers to engage

the participants directly and provide them with the opportunity to express themselves in

detail. The idea of sample size came before saturation, which was followed to identify at

least 20 participants with specific characteristics. Data analysis was achieved by coding

the interview transcripts using Nvivo software. To establish credibility, the steps taken

included member checks, reflexivity, thick descriptions, and audit trails. Ethical

requirements such as informed consent and privacy and data protection measures were

observed.

In conclusion, this chapter focused on evaluating the method used in this research

and the contribution of qualitative research in studying the multi-faceted issue of absent

effective in providing valuable information on the research questions and enriching the

knowledge base of this field.

In Chapter 3, the discussion explores the approach to conducting the research.

Chapter 4 discusses the implementation of research approaches addressed in Chapter

three. This entailed examining the settings, demographics, data collection, data analysis,

evidence of trustworthiness, and research outcomes.

verbatim, resulting in several pages of single-spaced transcriptions. These

transcripts served as the primary data source for analysis. All transcripts were

uploaded into NVivo 11 software to facilitate efficient management and analysis.

assessing and scrutinizing all data obtained. I experienced this process as one of

getting acquainted with, finding crucial ideas, and penetrating the participants’

assessed to establish themes that could represent a concern addressed by the data.

Such procedure comprised the examination of codes and their correlations to

develop themes, which were the central ideas or the truths that emerged from the

analysis.

keep the content accurate and adapt it to the present needs. Themes were refined

by rereading the coded data, amending their lines, and connecting their definitions

with the primary objectives of the research.

and named with a concept to represent anything that concisely resulted from the

analysis. The ideas were expressed very simply in the paper to echo the essence of

the findings.

and compile the data in a structured, thematically guided way. Initially, all the

results were categorized according to the themes further supported by the

before making important decisions. The participants’ narrations revealed similarities,

such as doubt and self-reliance.

For example, Participant 1, in this research on absence in their father’s life,

shared, “father’s absence not only brought a sense of doubt on my judgments but caused

self-related issues over time.” This solidified the theme that paternal absence influences

decision-making by causing a feeling of doubt and insecurity about the self. As

Participant 3 said, “Having my father not around means I had to figure things out on my

own.” Therefore, this comment pointed out the drawbacks of people mastering life’s

choices independently because there was no paternal guidance.

Theme 2: Emotional and Psychological Impact of Father’s Absence

Eight of the participants talked about how much of a place their dad had in their

emotional and mental adjustment. Those worrying circumstances manifested as

reluctance to specific actions, self-doubt, and personal fear.

Participant 2 stated, “My father’s absence has affected my self-confidence. I have

many “I cannot do it” thoughts and continue to doubt my capabilities and sense of

inadequacy. “This narrative highlighted the deep emotional scars that paternal absence

This insight showed that a father’s absence can damage one’s developmental.

The responses of participants revealed the profound psychological impact of

paternal absence. Participant 2’s experience underscored how lacking a father figure can

erode self-confidence, leading to persistent self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy.

Participant 5’s narrative highlighted the broader social and emotional difficulties,

illustrating how the absence of a father can complicate trust-building and the formation of

secure, meaningful relationships. These accounts collectively emphasized that paternal

absence can significantly hinder emotional development and social functioning, leaving

enduring emotional scars and challenges in personal growth.

Theme 3: Role Model Absence and Guidance

Participants Affected: 6 participants, or 40 percent, had an ongoing problem of

lack of a good example and no way to get the needed guidance. Paternal absence made it

even more difficult. Because a father was absent, boys and young men had to forgo the

opportunity to enjoy a meaningful father-child interaction and guidance that would have

shaped their character development during their crucial growing years.

Participant 6 stated, “Many teens from fatherless homes struggle and have

response demonstrated that people from a fatherless environment used their ability to

withstand challenges independently by sometimes making snap decisions without due

consultation.

When the paternal role model was missing, the search for a source of guidance

began. As a result, such participants may need to correct decisions and behavioral

problems that originate from the absence of paternal guidance.

Theme 4: Impact on Socialization and Peer Relations

Participants engaged: 5 participants, or 33.3 percent, described an experience of

socialization and friendship issues resulting from the lack of a father. Participant 8 said

that the system where the absence of a father figure had led to feelings of isolation: “It

was hard to deal with peers, so I turned to the source of validation for it.”

Participant 8 said, “When I had no dad around, it made it difficult to overcome

feeling isolated from others, and I accepted negative people because I looked for their

validation.” Participant 9 stated that her father's absence had an impact on her, which

reduced her from her peers and made her problem with how to form part of the

community; belonging and social identity highlighted the issues with social interaction.

relationships. For this reason, social support was required to manage these impacts.

Theme 5: Coping Mechanisms and Resilience

Participants engaged: 3 participants, or 20 percent, under the subject of those

having paternal deficiencies; a few of them disclosed specific coping mechanisms and

how resilience is acquired. A lack of a father figure usually forced me to work out self-

sufficiency and have something to get through situations on my own successfully.

Participant 10 said, “I came to know and lean on myself for the emotional support

and resilience. I realized I needed to be resourceful and find a way to stand up to life’s

challenges. “That statement only showed the inner strength and mental resilience of the

person raised by his mother.

In addition, participant 12 said, “The absence of a fatherly figure made me have to

find mentoring elsewhere. It also pressured me to develop hardiness and find role models

in my community.” Such a concept emphasized elaborate coping behaviors of individuals

born without a father who helped them deal with all the tough times and develop

immense pliability.

worried and confused many people as they faced situations that shaped their lives.

Participants’ experience narratives confirmed the existence of the pattern, which is

composed of doubt and self-reliance, caused by the father’s absence.

Participant 1 shared the experience: “My father's absence made me doubt my

decisions, and later, I developed trust issues.” This meant the theme that had been overall

pointed out, the effect of paternal absence on decision-making by creating inner

confidence and self-doubting, was here.

Theme 7: Emotional and Psychological Impact of Father’s Absence

Participants affected: 8 participants, or 53.35 percent were affected. The

absence of a father tends to have deep-seated implications for the emotional and

psychological well-being of participants highlighted. Another touching personal account

indicated a sense of self-entitlement, difficulty functioning in the social environment

without a father figure’s fostering care, and the importance of exploring the emotional

aspect of a father's absence. Participant 5 emphasized trust and connection with a father

left fatherless in school.

Also, Participant 5 pointed out that “A father’s figure helped, I think, with

building connections with others. When it comes to trusting people, it was difficult”. This

sentence shows how a father dramatically contributed to people’s abilities to trust people

and have meaningful relationships. It consistently emerged among participants that the

emotional vacuum created by their father’s absence had a strong bearing on their

interpersonal connectivity or ability to trust, which then contributed heavily to their

future struggles.

Theme 8: Role Model Absence and Guidance

Participants Affected: 6 participants, or 40 percent, claimed that their lives were

not made much better by the lack of good role models and mentorships, as many of their

dads were MIA. Without a father, a son or daughter shortchanged their learning process

and had no access to good examples to steer their life. They had no one to provide

guidance and moral support since their fathers were absent; therefore, they had to create

an environment of independent decision-making.

this narrative, the researcher saw how young people growing up without fathers tend to

adapt to harsh situations by solving problems independently, often making hasty

decisions without the help of someone or a mentor. Losing a healthy paternal influence

made youth look for another source for guidance, which sometimes was inappropriate

and conditioned them to make unguided choices.

Theme 9: Impact on Socialization and Peer Relations

Participants engaged: 5 participants, or 33.3 percent, mentioned issues in

socialization and the fact that peers have rejection in their view as a result of their father’s

absence. Participant 3 stated, "The exclusion of the father figure normally led me to a

situation of loneliness and difficulty getting in touch with my peers, and I shifted the way

I earned validation among others.”

Participant 8 said, “Being in a fatherless household affected our social

interactions. I struggled to find friends and was looking for recognition.” This statement

confirmed that the father’s absence influenced social connections, especially with peers,

and it led to seeking validation in inappropriate places, probably from others’ negative

behavior.

Participants engaged: 3 participants, or 20 percent, were affected. Coping

mechanisms and twisted resilience were part of the discussion among the members of the

group who experienced fatherhood absence. Sometimes, the little or the lack of an older

sibling figure or a father figure often necessitated the development of self-reliance and

adaptive coping strategies to such an extent that it made life’s struggles quickly faced

alone.

Participant 10 said, “Nevertheless, I learned that it has taught me to be my support

and rely on my resources when facing a challenge. It was a learning experience for me.

“This story displayed the cognitive strengths and adaptive coping fostered by people who

grow up without a father. It also means that the presence of a father can be of great

importance, especially in providing resources to the children.

Participant 12 commented, “I grew up in a mother-led household. Not having a

father figure pushed me to find mentorship from other resources and develop ways to

handle life struggles.” This statement showed the coping skills developed in individuals

who grow up with scarce father role models to overcome their life challenges and build

emotional resilience. The lack of fatherly assistance sometimes drove other people into

were meant to be reflected on by the respondents and then verified for the validity of the

interpretation (Johnson, 2018). One of the tasks was to confirm that the participants

validated the researcher’s understanding of that matter and that the data collected was the

true reflection of their experiences. In addition to that, involvement in a field helped

create a rapport and trust, which led to a more open and sincere conversation.

Transferability

For transferability, the comprehensive report on the study’s approach, including

the participant selection, data collection, and analysis, was outlined by Creswell in 2013.

This made it possible for the readers to not only determine the applicability of the

Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Introduction

This research focused on perceptions of factors that can lead to experiencing life

with an absent father and the probability of the children becoming criminals in the future,

mainly with an emphasis on fatherlessness as a root cause of criminality among them.

The identified gap in the literature inferred the use of interviews with young adult men of

fatherless childhood to understand how they explain fatherlessness's effects on their

and well-being (Prata et al., 2020). Moreover, the results revealed that the youths who

lacked a father figure during their formative years and had made wrong decisions about

their future, especially concerning criminal activities, were in a better position to explain

how the father’s absence had influenced them. According to Bowlby’s attachment theory,

developed further by scholars such as Mikulincer and Shaver (2021), safe interactions

with main caregivers—usually parents—are crucial for a child’s emotional and social

development. When these interactions, especially with a father figure, are absent or

interrupted, it can lead to substantial developmental issues. The hypothesis suggests that a

kid with a secure attachment feels comfortable and free to explore their environment,

learn to control their emotions and form positive social relationships. On the other hand,

the absence of such a connection may result in issues with emotional control, making one

feel insecure and low on self-worth and making it more challenging to build lasting

relationships.

The lack of a paternal figure in the setting of fatherlessness might make these

emotional struggles worse. Children who do not have a consistent father figure may have

a deep-seated sense of abandonment, making it difficult for them to trust people or look

children are left deprived of essential emotional and financial support, participants of the

current study underscored these aspects as crucial. The quantitative research by Lammers

(2020) concluded that fatherless children experienced emotional abuse or neglect and

socioeconomic unrest. Lammers (2020) mentioned the same problems consisting of

emotional abuse and an absence of financial provision that affected the choices of the

respondents and their propensity to criminality. It aligned with the information given by

Johnson and Marcia (2021), who opined that viable community support programs could

offset the negative impacts of fatherlessness during childhood.

Several participants indicated the need for community support programs. For

instance, one participant said: “The father figure lacked in one’s life, hence creating a gap

which should have been fulfilled by solid community support.” Community-based

interventions supported the findings of this study, especially in the efforts targeting at-

risk youths (Robinson & Taylor, 2022).

Previous research has mainly explored the short-term consequences of

fatherlessness in childhood. However, the present study can explain the perceptions and

Initially, all participants in the current study recommended establishing

community support programs for children without fathers. This supports the notion

acknowledged by Jones and Black in 2020, who urged community intercession.

However, participants in this study built on this in more ways, further stressing the need

for programs that would promote the emotional aspect of youths/children and offer role

models. Participants described inclusion not only within the cultural component but also

in those emphasizing emotional and social domains.

It is important to note that the need to address these broader themes of support

and inclusion has also been echoed in similar recent works. For instance, Harris and

Walton (2023) called for the enhancement of support structures, including the support

received by people at a personal level and the support in terms of the services required,

separately while noting that these modes of support are intertwined. Their study

established that such systems significantly decrease the chances of incarnations among

youth without fathers.

Scholars have called for integrating social justice elements into the curriculum to

ensure that social power and accruable benefits are fairly distributed in society (Wassell

in the assessment and enrolment of youth, which turned out to be a lengthy and

challenging process. Credibility and validity were also limiting factors in the study.

Despite doing everything correctly, I was also required to methodically scrutinize

memos, journal notes, and transcripts that constitute the material for qualitative data

analysis to ensure the data was credible and valid. I employed two main strategies:

member checking and maintaining a detailed audit trail to ensure the credibility,

transferability, dependability, and confirmability of the findings.

I made every reasonable attempt to avoid biases by progressively coding the data,

discussing the findings with others, and engaging with other thought partners; however,

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the absence of an objective measure of qualitative data introduced a source of inherent

bias. The study was based on the respondents’ recall of occurrences, implying that the

results were influenced by the participants ‘current perception, which made them socially

desirable, hence the recall bias. Some of the participants may have felt uncomfortable in

openly discussing their personal and sometimes distressing experiences, and this might

have colored their responses regardless of the efforts that were made to create a favorable

climate for the discussions. Its inherent use of qualitative data diminished its external

peers to lessen bias. Confirmability was attained by keeping the data as objective as

possible, even when qualitative research should, by nature, be subjective. I reasonably

attempted to dispel biases through progressive data coding, discussing findings with

others, and engaging with thought partners. The absence of an objective measure of

qualitative data brought along a source of inherent bias. While the methods used

restricted generalizability to other contexts, such as social, cultural, and economic factors,

the study’s trustworthiness was preserved by rigorously adhering to the outlined

strategies for credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability.

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Recommendations

This study aimed to examine the perceptions of factors regarding experiencing

life with an absent father and the propensity of criminal behaviors among those children

later in life. In perusing the literature review of this study, preexisting works like Cook-

Sather in the year 2020 were noted as necessary when considering students’ insights to

promote positive changes in education environments.

There is a need for further systematic studies about fatherless youngsters in

Schools and communities should consider designing and implementing the

employment of mentors, counselors, and youth support group programs to support these

individuals emotionally and psychologically when facing difficulties attributable to

fatherlessness. More research on the effectiveness of such support systems for building

knowledge translation capacity can advance efforts to strengthen them and extend them

to more contexts (Bloemert et al., 2020). Schools’ curriculum should include practical

life skills training and emotional intelligence building to ensure there are other income-

generating activities and opportunities, life skills, and emotional intelligence education.

Education is fundamental for males and females to unearth the effects of fatherless

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childhood and ensure that fatherless youth can be productive in society. Subsequent

studies can also focus on identifying the best practices to embed these elements within

current learning models (Reagan & Osborn, 2021).

There is a need to ensure that fatherless youth are included in formulating and

assessing policies and programs impacting them. In the above study, the researchers

consider a lack of father figures because this group of youths has not been given any

voice. Despite the study’s strength, suggestions for future research include exploring

educational programs, may generate an informative and less empathetically bias-free

environment for fatherless youth. The findings of the current initiatives can help increase

the understanding of expectations for future attempts to change those perceptions (Jones

& Bubb, 2021).

Counselors and educators, as those who deal with young adults who lack a father

figure, should adopt some strategies for managing the psychological effects, as indicated

in the research. This comprises psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and psychological

rehabilitation for children, as well as other measures focused on improving their well-

being (Walker & Thompson, 2023).

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Recommended solutions that could be enacted through social service agencies

include creating programs for single parents and giving them the necessary support and

tools. It can require specific initiatives such as parenting classes, economic

empowerment, and social supportive agencies to counter the effect of father dearth on

children (Anderson & Jackson, 2024).

For policymakers, this research presents information legislators should consider to

reduce father absence and its effects. They could address issues related to the economic

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Implications

At the individual level, assessing the practical applicability of the study’s results,

it is crucial to focus on the profound impact of a father’s absence on young adults’

emotions and psychological outlook, especially regarding their choices, which may lead

them to become criminals. It can offer insights into providing specific preventive and

support services to assist people in dealing with and conquering such obstacles, thus

lowering their propensity to engage in criminality (Smith &Johnson, 2022).

agencies and other institutions in creating programs and curricula to help fatherless

children. These could include apprenticeship and sponsoring, counseling services, and

potentially informative or training sessions that help empower young people to overcome

adverse experiences and make healthy choices (Brown & Davis, 2022).

Policymakers can use the research to advance policies that work in the interest of

single-parented women while targeting the socio-cultural and –economic causes of

fatherless homes. It may thus consist of procuring measures aimed at stabilizing the

economy, increasing the availability of education, and offering services to support

parents.

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Table 4

Potential Impact for Positive Social Change

Further, the research strengthened and built upon the normative sources of John

Bowlby’s attachment theory and depicted the paternal figure’s concrete role in the child’s

psychosocial growth. Proponents of the theory cited research that supported the practical