Publication Date

5-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts in Education (MA)

MA Concentration

Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Education, Urban Education

Keywords

Fatherlessness, Paternal Absence, Academic Achievement, Student Behavior, Urban Education

Advisors

Happy Johnson, Pamela A. Redmond, Jim O'Connor

Abstract

Fatherlessness is the state of living in a home with no father present, and not having a known or legally responsible father (Blakenhom,1995). According to the 2013 U.S. Census, one-third of American children are being raised in fatherless homes. Fatherlessness can be associated with most society crisis, including substance abuse, criminal activity, incarceration, and teenage sexual promiscuity (Baskerville, 2002). Urban Education schools face greater levels of social calamity, which is magnified with paternal absence and creates a significant impact on the academic and behavioral performance of urban students (Schumacher, 2008). The purpose of this study is to gain greater insight on the effects of fatherlessness in Urban Education and how this rapidly growing U.S. trend threatens the academic achievement and student behavior in Urban Education schools. Using a quantitative research design, data was collected from a Solano County Urban Education high school's Student Information System (SIS) database to conduct an in-depth investigation on the association fatherlessness has to academic achievement and student behavior. The results of this study revealed fatherlessness as a commonality among students with low test scores and behavioral defiance.

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