The Lived Experience of Students Who Have Absent Fathers: a Phenomenological Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Some students who grew up without a stable paternal presence are likely to experience negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, psychological disturbances, difficulty with romantic relations, poverty, sexual risk taking, dropping out of school, and struggling difficulties. Research on students with absent fathers may provide insights regarding the lived experiences of students who grew up without paternal involvement. Insights on the father-child relationship are important because they can impact the value of the parent-child relationship and other relations.

METHODS

Interview and survey questionnaire was used. We used purposive sampling method. We selected the students who have absent fathers of Mother of Mercy Academy from Grade 7 to Grade 12.

RESULTS

All those students with absent fathers of Mother of Mercy Academy that we conducted are having different reasons behind. It was shown that students who live without their father are having hardships financially and emotionally. The lessons that participants resulting from having absent fathers is appreciating the people who are always with them, being independent, and making a better life in their own children in the future.

DISCUSSIONS

Students without fathers were really strong and struggled with the challenges they faced with the situation. They strive as a person growing up with a strong heart. We recommend that other researchers do more studies about this to understand students who undergo this situation.