On Being a Father or Sibling in Light of the Humanbecoming Family Model

Storytelling and the Humanbecoming Family Model

The authors in this article will present storytelling through the lens of the humanbecoming family model. From this perspective, storytelling can be viewed as the following: (a) family storytelling as a mode of fostering personal and family becoming, (b) family storytelling as a confirming of family beliefs and values, and (c) family storytelling as a way of addressing issues of grief and loss. Selected literature is presented to highlight the essences, paradoxes, and processes of the humanbecoming family model.

The experiences of Dutch fathers on fathering children with disabilities: 'Hey, that is a father and his daughter, that is it'

BACKGROUND

Due to a predominant focus on mothers, fathers of children with disabilities are greatly overlooked in research. One could argue that there is a lack of research on the multifaceted nature of fatherhood altogether. Therefore, this study aims to gain insight into the perceived experiences of fathers of children with disabilities.

METHODS

These perceptions were studied by analysing data generated through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with 12 Dutch fathers of children or young adults with disabilities.

RESULTS

Categories found during our data analysis were similar to those illustrated in the 'conceptual framework on responsible fathering' by including role identification, commitment, employment characteristics, cultural expectations and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the fathers in this study reported similar experiences, but this study identified new life perspective as an additional category, which might be specific for fathers of children with disabilities. This new life perspective included a positive attitude, living in the moment, appreciation of the little things and transformation of expectations. Some fathers expressed that their child(ren) has enriched their lives, which positively influenced their fathering experience.

Surviving the Loss of a Child: A Mexican-American's Story

This paper tells the story of a mother's loss of her 10-year-old daughter from cancer. It is in part a pain and suffering narrative and a story of remarkable post-loss growth and transformation. It is a story told for busy parents and multitasking nurses, to all of us who need to relearn how to be attentive to others, particularly our children. The woman who tells the story is one of the authors (M.V.-W.); she is a Mexican-American. The paper is based on two interviews of M.V.-W., using questions similar to those used by one of the authors (S.L.B.) with his study of fathers and sibling. Following the interviews is a brief discussion on the loss of a child from a humanbecoming perspective, with a few comments on the immigration of nurses.