Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2005. / Title from title screen (viewed 19 May 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Behavioural and Community Health Sciences. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Apr. 13, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Dissertation advisor: Dr. Marilyn Coleman. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2009 May 31

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographic references (leaves [164]-180).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-73). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--Rhodes University, 2002. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 5, 2006). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-58).

Divorce affects approximately four out of ten marriages in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2001). Most researchers and clinicians agree that parental divorce and the ensuing process of a family's restructuring is a very stressful time for everyone, especially children. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the research on the effects of divorce has largely focused on how it impacts upon them (Amato, 2001). And while research, albeit to a lesser degree, has explored the impact of divorce on mothers (Demo & Acock, 1996) little attention has been given to the experience of fathers (Nielsen, 1999). Joint custody is awarded in approximately 40% of settlements; however, mothers are typically given primary care and residence (Statistics Canada, 2001) with fathers restricted to two weekend "visits" every month (Fathers 4 Justice, 2004). Over time this amount drops to where many fathers end up seeing very little of their children. For some contact is lost altogether. Just how many lose contact altogether is unknown, but it is suggestive that their numbers may be significant (Nielsen, 1999). How they are affected by that loss of contact is largely unknown as research into the experience of such fathers is missing. Given most parents would agree that losing one's child is perhaps one of the worst things that could happen to them, research into this experience is warranted. This study is an investigation of the lived experiences of fathers who have lost contact with their children. Four such fathers were interviewed. Through a hermeneutical process of "mindful-reflective" listening thirteen salient themes emerged from their stories and are conveyed to the reader. In particular, the concept of "becoming childless" is introduced as a way of understanding how these fathers dealt with the long-term consequences of losing contact with their children. Implications for further research and social change regarding fathers' rights are addressed.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-79).

Issues concerning children may be the most intense and emotive areas of divorce and can lead to spectacular legal battles. Social work practice revealed that it is often the father who leaves the court, stripped of his fatherhood by a court order that only grants him limited access to his own children. Some divorced fathers disengage from their children's lives but there is documented evidence of South African fathers who desire continuity in their relationships with their children after divorce. An interest in these fathers prompted this study. Fathers who challenged maternal custody were selected since it was assumed that their lived experiences would include non-custodial as well as custodial fatherhood. The study was approached from a constructivist position and was further informed by a family systems theory. South African and international literature was perused followed by an exploratory study on the relatively uncharted terrain of paternal custody. A qualitative method was used and one unstructured interview with a schedule was conducted with each of the five respondents who were selected according to non-probability purposive sampling methods. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed cross-sectionally around certain themes and categories that were extracted from the data. The most significant findings of the study which appear to resemble some earlier national and international findings, are summarised as follows: Some fathers appear to have sound motives for pursuing custody of their children. These fathers, if afforded the opportunity, find fulfilment in parenting their children whom they perceive to be happy and prosperous in their care. There are fathers in whom divorce causes clear and profound signs of distress which appear to be related to the loss of the pre-divorce father I child relationship. The feeling of powerlessness to effect the well-being of their children as they see it was emphasised. Recommendations generated from these findings relate to the elimination of gender bias from custody decisions, including fathers in therapeutic interventions with divorced families and the provision of family courts and mediation services as suggested in the White Paper for Social Welfare. Recommendations for future research are also presented.