Influences of childhood/adolescence paternal relationships on African American women's expectations and needs for adult emotional (heterosexual) intimacy

This study examined the influence of childhood/adolescence father/daughter relationships on African American women's expectations and needs for adult emotional (heterosexual) intimate relationships. A qualitative case study research method was used as the framework for this study. Sixteen African American women completed qualitative survey questionnaires, providing rich data on their relationships with their fathers.;Four major themes emerged from this study: (a) endless search for lost father, (b) building defense mechanisms against intimacy, (c) reframing negative childhood/adolescent experiences father/daughter experiences and processing these experiences to serve functional purposes in women's lives, and (d) experiencing emotionally healthy, nurturing childhood/adolescence father/daughter relationships while maintaining healthy, satisfying adult emotional (heterosexual) intimacy.;What was learned from this study was that a father's presence during childhood/adolescence does not guarantee outcomes for a woman's adult emotional (heterosexual) intimacy. Some women look for adult intimate partners who share similar character traits as their fathers, while other women partner with men who possess character traits that are contrary to their fathers. For example, women raised in homes with emotionally healthy, nurturing fathers may not choose partners who share the same character traits, values, and traditions as their father. Their partners may be physical or emotionally abusive, addicted to substances, or fail to provide adequately for their families. Conversely, women raised in homes without fathers or with fathers who displayed negative behaviors toward their daughters and wives often selected intimate partners who had none of their fathers' characteristics. Some women may forego development of intimate partnerships because they do not want to subject themselves to the type of treatment exhibited by their fathers. Many women in this study were taught that pursuing and obtaining an education, and being self-sufficient was more important than being dependent on a man for their emotional and financial needs.;Social workers can benefit from this research by understanding that some assumptions from family research literature are not supported by this study. Additional research can extend findings of this multiple case study to a larger group of women that incorporate a broader continuum in terms of age, socioeconomic status, educational level, and geographic location.