Thesis(MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

It was the purpose of this study to determine whether the early loss of the father is conducive to injury of personality development of boys and girls, which injury may still be evident in late adolescence, the crucial time in life when educational, vocational and other important decisions are being made.

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A study was carried out to assess the effect of parental absence upon a child's subsequent verbal and numerical aptitude. The primary focus was on father-separated children (both male and female), but small samples of students who had been separated from mother or from both parents were included. Age of separation (up to six years old), and length of separation (three months or longer), were the primary independent variables investigated. The necessary information was obtained from questionnaires that were mailed to approximately 1,000 first year University of B.C. students (academic session 1967-68). The age and length of separation was subsequently verified in a separate letter to the parents. Verbal and numerical aptitude was measured by the Cooperative School and College Ability Test (SCAT), and the achievement scores obtained in first year university English and Mathematics courses. The father-separated male students demonstrated greater aptitude in verbal abilities relative to numerical abilities. The length of the separation was insignificant, but a separation after the child was eighteen months old produced a greater increase in verbal skills (relative to numerical ability), than a separation before eighteen months. Father-separated male students attained a higher mean score in the first year English course than students from intact homes. There was no significant difference between mean mathematical scores obtained by the two groups. The presence or absence of brothers in the homes of father-separated males did not significantly affect aptitude development. Father-separated female students demonstrated greater proficiency in verbal abilities relative to numerical abilities. This superiority of verbal aptitude relative to numerical aptitude was significantly higher than that demonstrated by girls who had not been separated from a parent. The results for the two independent variables, age and length of separation, were similar to those observed for males. The samples of students who were separated from mother or both parents during childhood were too small to permit meaningful analyses. Some interesting trends in the data were discussed. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / The absence of a father in family life is an occurrence which is experienced in almost every family. The absent-father refers to the father who, as a result of certain circumstances, cannot properly fulfill his role as father in the family circle. It appears that this phenomenon is gradually on the increase and it is apparent that parents increasingly feel the necessity to obtain guidance in respect of this particular problem. Several factors contribute towards the phenomenon of father-absence. The most general reason for this occurrence is the father's responsibility towards his occupation. The absent-father could also create the image of a father being physically present yet being psychologically absent. In this script an endeavour has been made to grasp the phenomenon of fatherly absence and the influence it could possibly have on a child. The purpose of this study is to determine, in the light of certain studies of literature and empirical research, the influence the fatherly absence has on a child. The purpose of this exercise is dual. Firstly it entails a literature study and secondly an empirical research. A relevant critical survey has been conducted in respect of the role the father plays in the family and in particular with special reference to the differential role of the father in the life of the son and daughter. The study of relevant literature further entails a critical study of fatherly absence and the influence it could have on the son and daughter.

M.A. / In the social work field of chemical substance abuse the success of rehabilitation of drug-dependent adolescents is greatly influenced by the support and involvement of their families. Experience in this field showed that the mothers of these adolescents are usually involved in the treatment programme, whereas the fathers are emotionally distant. This is often the way in which these families function. The researcher wanted to find out which aspects influence the dynamics of the relationship between an emotionally distant father and his chemically dependent adolescent. Subsequently, the following question was formulated as a research question: “what influences emotional involvement in the relationship between the emotionally absent father and his chemically dependent adolescent that causes it be emotionally distant?” In this study the researcher will aim to determine that aspects which contribute to emotional distance in the relationship between the emotionally absent father and his chemically dependent adolescent. In doing so the researcher will achieve the following objectives: • To improve professional skill and knowledge by providing new information; • To use qualitative data collection method; • To define and study an emotional absent father, a chemically dependent adolescent and the relationship between them; • To collect data about the causes of emotional absence in the relationship between an emotional absent father and a chemically dependent adolescent; • To explain and understand the relationship between an emotionally absent father and his chemically dependent adolescent in the context of the Systems theory; • To compare the findings of the study with relevant literature; • To understand the forces which influence the relationship between an emotional absent father and his chemical dependent adolescent; and • To get permission of the different role-players to conduct the study. The study is of a qualitative nature. Data was collected by using in-depth, guided interviews and field notes. Data was recorded by using audio recordings and transcriptions. The sample was collected using purposeful sampling. It was divided in two parts, namely adolescents and parents. The researcher used the QSR Nudist program to assist with data analysis. After data collection and analysis, a literature control was done as one of the ways of ensuring validity and reliability. The researcher concluded that various aspects contributed to emotional distance and absence on the father’s side. The relationship between father and child had been distant before the adolescent had been drugging, as early as early childhood. The adolescent’s drugging had little to do with the fact that there is emotional distance between father and child. Although both parties hoped for change, neither of them was sure that it could be obtained. Lastly, based on t he results of the study, the researcher made the following recommendations: 1. Further research be done with regards to aspects such as developing a practice model that will address the emotional distance between an emotionally absent father and a chemically dependent adolescent; 2. To incorporate the results of the study in treatment programmes where applicable in both in-patient and out-patient programmes as well as to act preventatively with regard to this particular relationship; and 3. The professional community can be trained in the dynamics of this particular relationship in order to address similar problems in other fields, for instance pastoral counsellors and psychologists. / Dr. W.J.H. Roestenburg

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In recent years, the issue of fathers’ involvement with their families has increasingly gained support and currently more research focuses on fathers’ involvement and what fathers must do to become more involved with their families. The aim of this study was to gain insight into boys’ perception of fathers’ involvement in the lives of boys. The participants were boys in Grade 7 and 8 whose parents are married and who both live in the same house with them. The data of this explorative, qualitative study were gathered by means of focus group discussions. The 18 participants who complied with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three focus groups of six participants each. The groups were asked an open question and the discussion was audio-recorded. The group discussions were transcribed, after which the data were loaded onto the Atlas.ti program for analysis. In this analysis technique, related aspects (termed ‘codes’, which are formed by related quotations by participants) are grouped to form families (of codes). Based on the description by Lamb, Pleck, Charnov and Levine (1987) of fathers’ involvement and the qualitative data analysis, content could be given to the families responsibility, accessibility and engagement. The family responsibility, which includes any activities of the father regarding the child’s direct care or arrangements regarding the care of the child, is the largest family in terms of number of codes and quotations. The most prominent code in this family in terms of number of quotations compared to the other codes, is to provide. This is followed by the codes discipline, set right and protect. Accessibility is the second largest family and entails the father being present as well as his availability to his son. The most important codes in this family are talking, to be there for the child and to pay attention to the child. The third family, engagement, includes the experience of caring, direct contact and interaction between the father and his son. The most important codes that emerged in this family are to demonstrate love and to hug. The specific content given to the three components of fathers’ involvement can be applied with success in the development and presentation of parent guidance programmes.