Families of Origin: The Experience of Parents of Single Military Members

Abstract Enlisting in the military is a career choice that impacts the entire family unit. Many research studies have examined the effect of military life on spouses and children of military members; however little research to date has examined the experience of parents of adult children, especially for those of single Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. Given that many military members are often younger and not yet in stable romantic relationships, parents are often a primary source of emotional and instrumental support. Building on military family research, the current study was conducted to gain a greater understanding of parents’ experiences upon the enlistment of their adult children and adjustment to their military career. Parents of single CAF members’ experiences were examined through a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups in seven major Canadian cities. The study group consisted of 55 participants with a mean age of 56 years. Thematic analysis was employed to identify common themes across interviews and focus groups. Results suggest that parents often experience fear and worry over their children’s wellbeing, loss of control, and uncertainty. They strive to maintain connection to their adult children and provide emotional, instrumental, and financial support. Over time, many parents are able to develop increased resilience and adjustment to their children’s careers, in part due to the development of military connections, informal and formal support, and adaptive coping methods. The findings are discussed in relation to improving parental resilience and how the CAF may best support them.