Date of Award
6-2005
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Dr. Mark P. Orbe
Second Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Machiorlatti
Third Advisor
Dr. Leigh Ford
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study explored the potential effects of fatherlessness through the book, Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl, by Jonetta Rose Barras (2000). While examining the text, the author used an autoethnographical method to reflect on her own experiences in relation to the text. This autoethnography examined the potential effects of fatherlessness on women to help understand why they communicate and interact interpersonally in specific ways that may help or hinder them in their adult romantic relationships. Through dialectical theory, specific dialectical tensions were identified to be experienced in father-daughter as well as adult romantic relationships. The tensions that were found to be experienced in both father-daughter and adult romantic relationships were: autonomy-connection, hopefulness-hopelessness, blaming self-blaming other, novelty-predictability, and openness-closedness.
Recommended Citation
Everett, Melodi A., "Not Knowing What You're Missing: Autoethnographical Explorations and Reflections of the Potential Effects of Fatherlessness" (2005). Masters Theses. 4104.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4104