Narratives of College Students Raised by Single Fathers

Abstract

The family serves as the foundational building block of society, and individuals often leverage their family as a foundation for achieving a better life, especially students. This research employed a qualitative research design, specifically a narrative approach. This study aimed to explore the experiences of students raised by single fathers. To ensure validity, the questionnaire was carefully crafted, and refined with the guidance of an expert. Remote interviews using an unstructured questionnaire were conducted with three students, capturing their experiences comprehensively. Thematic analysis was applied to identify meaning patterns and ethical principles were upheld throughout, ensuring participant well-being and confidentiality. The stories told by the researchers’ participants include their struggles and experiences including developing independence and emotional longing for a mother. In addition, acceptance of the situation and support system were the strategies for overcoming challenges. Part of their realizations were increased motivation in their studies, resilient, and longing for a complete family. Single fathers could affect the holistic development of the child, knowing that all participants were college students. All participants share a positive perspective on life. This only shows that despite having a missing maternal fragment in their childhood they were still able to dream of a complete family someday. Their stories could bring some inspiration to those students who have the same situation and stories. The findings underscore the importance of emotional connections and personal growth in navigating challenges and pursuing success.