Table Of ContentWalden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
African American Males' Lived Experiences of
Fathering Following Incarceration
Sherece Shavel
Walden University
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This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by
Sherece Shavel
has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.
Review Committee
Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty
Dr. Stacee Reicherzer, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty
Dr. Dorothy Scotten, University Reviewer, Human Services Faculty
Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.
Walden University
2017
Abstract
African American Males’ Lived Experiences of Fathering Following Incarceration
by
Sherece Shavel
MSW, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 2004
BA, Seton Hall University, 2000
Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Human Services
Walden University
May 2017
Abstract
In the United States, African American fathers are incarcerated at a disproportionate rate
and have a poor prognosis of success. Although researchers have considered how crime,
paternal abuse, poverty, and social disparities have affected African Americans, they
have not adequately studied how formerly incarcerated African American fathers
experience parenting. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological
study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by exploring the parenting experiences of
formerly incarcerated African American fathers on parole. The research question focused
on the parenting experiences of African American fathers obligated to mandatory
supervision following an incarceration. A criterion-based sample of 9 African American
fathers from the Midwestern region of the United States completed 2 in-depth interviews.
Interviews were analyzed using phenomenological techniques, resulting in 9 central
themes focused on social objectification, survival, change, the agency of fatherhood, and
parent-child relations. Despite difficulties and challenges, the quality of the fathers’ lives
hinged on the quality of their relationship with their children. The findings and
recommendations from this s tudy may advance positive social change by stimulating and
guiding the efforts of human service practitioners working to develop culturally relevant
interventions, and raising the awareness of advocates working to influence legislators
toward comprehensive policy reform. The application of this study’s f indings may
provoke community members to strengthen their support for African American fathers
returning to the community following incarceration.
African American Males’ Lived Experiences of Fathering Following Incarceration
by
Sherece Shavel
MSW, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 2004
BA, Seton Hall University, 2000
Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillmen t
of the Requirements for the Degree o f
Doctor of Philosophy
Human Services
Walden University
May 2017
Dedication
I dedicate this dissertation to the two women that lived to be my life’s inspiration.
To my late mother, Catherine Ann Adams, thank you for teaching me how to
courageously persevere through the many challenges in life. You showed your strength
and helped me spread my wings to fly, thank you! You are the reason I can live each day
purposely optimistic. To my late grandmother, Mountrey Moore, thank you for believing
in me and guiding me down the road of success. You taught me how to live fearless and
modeled the value of lifelong learning, thank you!
Acknowledgments
This endeavor was nothing less than life changing. I could not have completed
this journey without the unwavering help from my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. You
have showed yourself strong in my life while I travelled this road. You have satisfied my
confidence in you and continue to quench the longing in my soul for more. There really
are no words I can say to adequately express my love and appreciation for you being ever
present with extraordinary strength, peace, and wisdom.
To Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee (Chair & Content Expert), Dr. Stacee Reicherzer
(Methodologist), and Dr. Dorothy Scotten (University Research Reviewer) – thank you
for keeping a standard of quality and excellence throughout this entire journey. Your
support and commitment to me will never be forgotten. Because of you, I am ready to
pay it forward by leading and encouraging any student beginning their journey on the
doctoral road to success.
To my family, friends, and neighbors – thank you for being my cheerleaders and
keeping me accountable every step of the way.
To all the personnel at the local public libraries, police stations, community
settings, and Kansas Department of Corrections offices I encountered for this study –
thank you for supporting me by offering space within your environment to advertise,
pursue, and accomplish my research objective.
To the men whose lives are reflected in this report – thank you for generously
giving your time and energy to share your life story with me. All the best to each of you!
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................4
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................8
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................11
Research Question .......................................................................................................13
Theoretical Framework for the Study ..........................................................................13
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................15
Definitions....................................................................................................................18
Assumptions .................................................................................................................21
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................26
Limitations ...................................................................................................................28
Significance..................................................................................................................30
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 32
Summary ......................................................................................................................34
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................37
Introduction ..................................................................................................................37
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................37
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................39
Literature Review.........................................................................................................52
Conceptualization of Fathering ............................................................................. 54
i
Altered Fathering Across Time ............................................................................. 55
Roles and Patterns of Fathering ............................................................................ 58
Fathering and the Leverage of Criminal Justice ................................................... 64
Contemplating African American Fathering ........................................................ 88
Summary ....................................................................................................................115
Chapter 3: Research Method ............................................................................................118
Introduction ................................................................................................................118
Research Design and Rationale .................................................................................118
Role of the Researcher ...............................................................................................123
Methodology ..............................................................................................................127
Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................. 128
Data Collection ................................................................................................... 139
Data Analysis and Interpretation ........................................................................ 150
Issues of Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................157
Credibility ........................................................................................................... 159
Transferability ..................................................................................................... 160
Dependability ...................................................................................................... 162
Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 164
Ethical Concerns and Procedures ........................................................................ 166
Summary ....................................................................................................................170
Chapter 4: Results ............................................................................................................171
Introduction ................................................................................................................171
ii
Setting ........................................................................................................................172
Demographics ............................................................................................................172
Participant 1: Jeffrey ........................................................................................... 176
Participant 2: Micah ............................................................................................ 176
Participant 3: Willie ............................................................................................ 177
Participant 4: Richard ......................................................................................... 177
Participant 5: Darrin ............................................................................................ 178
Participant 6: Timothy ........................................................................................ 178
Participant 7: Harold ........................................................................................... 179
Participant 8: Corey ............................................................................................ 180
Participant 9: Jason ............................................................................................. 180
Data Collection, Management, Storage .....................................................................181
Achieving Data Analysis ...........................................................................................184
Evidence of Trustworthiness......................................................................................187
Credibility ........................................................................................................... 187
Transferability ..................................................................................................... 188
Dependability ...................................................................................................... 190
Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 190
Presentation of Findings ............................................................................................192
Identity and Role ................................................................................................. 193
Fathers in Action ................................................................................................. 208
Living Beyond Day 30 ........................................................................................ 234
iii
