Left Behind Fathers: The Phenomenology of Men with Migrant Wives

Date of Award

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychology, Concentration in Counseling Psychology (Thesis Program)

First Advisor

Arsenio S. Alianan, Jr., PhD

Abstract

This study delved into the experiences of Filipino left behind fathers with migrant wives. It looked into their lives before, during, and after their transition from main breadwinners to primary caregivers. A total of five participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Narrative analysis in conjunction with positioning theory was utilized to interpret the stories of the participants across three time frames. Commonalities among participants produced two storylines per time frame with corresponding positionings of self, social forces, and rights and duties. The results of the study found that full acceptance of the primary caregiving role was difficult due to the traditional concept of fatherhood that they have. Thus, renegotiation and conceptualization of the meaning of fatherhood occurred. Moreover, with the usage of positioning theory, particularly reflexive positioning, it was found that common factors such as age, coping strategies, and part time jobs influence the way that the participants had positioned themselves across three time frames. Unique experiences of each participant also seemed to affect their decisions which in turn changed their positioning. These findings can help researchers, government/non-government agencies, and psychologists/counselors as it expounds on the feelings and needs of left behind fathers throughout the transition that may be further explored. In relation, this could aid in emphasizing the importance of familial support in the lives of left behind fathers.

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