The sons' retrospective experience of father involvement

Abstract

This study used a phenomenological approach to look into the meanings attached to paternal involvement during childhood and its implications. Five adult sons recalled their retrospective experience of their relationship with their fathers during middle- and late childhood. The main hypothesis stated the more involved fathers were, the better the functional relationship with their sons. However, the aims of the study were not directed to prove a hypothesis but to provide more breadth and understanding to this phenomenon. The study consisted of a small questionnaire to choose the participants under a set of criteria. Mainly participants had to be the first-born sons, still living with their biological parents, not married and not yet themselves fathers. Thereafter, in-depth interviews were held to gather the data. Through thematic analysis, the following main themes emerged: father involvement, father roles, time unavailability, image of fatherhood, mid-life changes, sons' characteristics and couple relationship. Results suggested that fathers still held traditional roles and this impacted on the level of their involvement. Moreover, fathers were seen as distant, and mainly participated in the administration of the family through their wives. The study should however serve as a step forward to give meaning to the sons' lived experience of father involvement.