“We Say ‘Mothers’ But Mean ‘Parents’”: Qualitative Perceptions and Experiences With Father Absence Among Curaçaoan, Curaçaoan-Dutch, and Dutch Young People
Osinga M, van Bergen DD, van Brummen-Girigori OJ, Kretschmer T, Timmerman MC (2023)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2023
Journal
Book Volume: 38
Pages Range: 983-1015
Journal Issue: 6
DOI: 10.1177/07435584211014878
Abstract
Perceptions and experiences with biological father absence might vary depending on the extent to which father absence constitutes a common family form, like it does in many Caribbean countries. The goal of this qualitative study was to better understand what it means to grow up without a father for Curaçaoan (n = 19; 15–24 years), Curaçaoan-Dutch (n = 15; 14–29 years), and Dutch (n = 16; 16–26 years) young men and women. Findings from thematic analyses of ethically approved in-depth interviews revealed that most interviewees from all three cultural groups perceived no bond with and upbringing from their absent father. The interviewees noted emotional pain, but also mentioned that (m)others compensated for their father’s absence. Dutch interviewees were more negative about their absent father, and both Dutch and Curaçaoan-Dutch interviewees experienced more difficulties with respect to their father’s absence compared with Curaçaoan interviewees. Studying the similarities and differences between perceptions and experiences with father absence enriches our knowledge of what it means to grow up without a father. Doing so from young people’s point of view and across cultures has important practical value by providing a fuller understanding of the meaning of father absence for young people across cultures.
Involved external institutions
University of Groningen / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Netherlands (NL)
University of Curaçao / University of Curaçao mr. dr. Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez, University of the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles (AN)
Netherlands (NL)
University of Curaçao / University of Curaçao mr. dr. Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez, University of the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles (AN)
How to cite
APA:
Osinga, M., van Bergen, D.D., van Brummen-Girigori, O.J., Kretschmer, T., & Timmerman, M.C. (2023). “We Say ‘Mothers’ But Mean ‘Parents’”: Qualitative Perceptions and Experiences With Father Absence Among Curaçaoan, Curaçaoan-Dutch, and Dutch Young People. Journal of Adolescent Research, 38(6), 983-1015. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211014878
MLA:
Osinga, Mariëlle, et al. "“We Say ‘Mothers’ But Mean ‘Parents’”: Qualitative Perceptions and Experiences With Father Absence Among Curaçaoan, Curaçaoan-Dutch, and Dutch Young People." Journal of Adolescent Research 38.6 (2023): 983-1015.
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