Professional Documents
Culture Documents
by John Girdwood
Department of Sociology
ABSTRACT
Extending the Essential Father Theory, this proposal seeks to conduct research
that will provide explanations of outcomes when levels of influence that fathers
contribute to the development of their sons vary. This examination of successful
outcomes will advance sociological research in regard to both occupation and
health. I hypothesize that fathers are essential to positive child development by
helping (a) set status attainment goals from ages 8 - 12 years; and (b) provide
achievement motivation from ages 13 - 17 years. In addition to those
developmental periods, I will look closely at the influence that fathers'
socioeconomic backgrounds play throughout both periods. I will conduct
interviews with sons who either are professional athletes, former professional
athletes, or who are very close to becoming professional athletes. I will also
perform media content analysis of athletes' descriptions of fatherly influence
when the subject matter is similarly related to that of the research interview
questions. Combining both methods, I can propose better understanding of
paternal influence on the development of athletic children.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
In this proposal, I assume that positive outcomes occur when goals are
levels of influence on the formation and attainment of the goals of their sons.
These ambitions take many forms: scholastic, professional, athletic, etc. This
research will examine a blended ambition, one that pairs occupational and
defined by those who are outside the father/son relationship. Whether a father
occasion the news media. However, the most appropriate judges of relationship
The essential father theory simply states that fathers are essential to
particularly occupational goals. I will explain later in the article how status
attainment goals are formed between ages 8 - 12 years and then achievement
studies focus on how the consequences of these variables change within the
years.
attainment, with family socioeconomic background having both direct and indirect
effects on schooling (Teachman 1987). Thought has also been given to the
important to understand their origins (Mortimer, Ellen Efron Pimentel, Ryu, Nash,
and Lee 1996). However, work values may not be the only driver behind
learned from parents who urge the child to compete against these standards,
rewarding him when he performs well and punishing him when he fails." (Rosen
expect to find that different levels and forms of achievement motivation during the
teen years have varying effects on positive outcomes in the male offspring
cohort.
strength and fitness. During the crucial decision making period of adolescence,
father may push athletic development, like weight lifting, too rigorously and
alienate the son. Conversely, the father may motivate passively creating the
son's perception that the father is uninterested. This study will examine the
by studying those sons who are either professional athletes, were former
LITERATURE REVIEW
fathers. Specific studies can lend new perspectives. I propose to analyze the
relationships of fathers and sons and how the fatherly influence affects goal
professional athleticism.
will critique the Essential Father Theory through an analysis of the father/son
Status Attainment
Sewell 1983; Warren et al. 2002). A central feature of attainment research is the
scientific force with which it has identified and given structure to the major
dimensions of social origins that precede the transition to adulthood and that
consists of studies, mostly in the social psychology of work (Johnson 2002; Kohn
and Schooler 1969; Mortimer et al. 1996), of individual beliefs about the
This study will closely examine the formation of status attainment goals
and the influences during the period that precedes the transition to adulthood.
The presumption is that status attainment goals are formed generally early on,
before a specific vocation has been chosen (by the son). This study will provide
an analysis of status attainment goal formation during the period the sons were
Achievement Motivation
study will explain the transition from status attainment goal formation periods to
presumption is that distinct vocations have been envisioned sometime during the
clear-cut lifelong vocations are not typically solidified at this age. Rather, there is
class is consistently related to men's values - both their values for themselves
and those for their children - and to their orientation to work, society, and self.
Basic to all these class relationships is the distinction between self-direction and
conformity to external authority, the former more highly valued by men of higher
social class position, the latter by men of lower social class position." (Kohn and
external authority will be examined and some thought will be given to the claims
of Kohn and Schooler in regard to social class position. The research may
support the fact that social class is related to men's values - both their values for
themselves and those for their children. The subject matter of this research,
orientation that Kohn and Schooler present: work, society, and self.
The essential father theory simply states that fathers are essential to
and Auerbach 1999). This research does not seek to discover the rates of
couples over alternative family forms, it is the goal of this research to discuss the
empirical research when applied to a particular group: sons who have obtained
the rank of or are on track to become professional athletes. Using a wide range
that fathers are essential to child development through goal setting and
professionally athletic sons who have reached goals defined by both the sons
(self-directed) and their fathers (external authority). The research will summarize
METHODS
Sample
athletes, were former professional athletes, or who are very close to becoming
research and every effort will be made include a diverse group. Interviews will be
Interviews
spectrum. I will cover some of those interviews below and explain how each will
help form the interview questions used during the research for this proposal. All
with the research proposed because professional sports in America are very
popular and success in professional athletics typically goes hand in hand with
fame.
Country Music - Father Did Not Provide Specific Tools for Success
father was mentioned in an interview in People Magazine (2009). "Of all the
things Brad Paisley has learned from his dad, singing and playing guitar are not
among them. Doug Paisley has a deep devotion to family, which he instilled in
Brad." (Bartolomeo and West 2009) In Paisley's case, his father was not a
famous country singer and his father did not teach him the skills necessary to
QUESTION 1: What specific skills, if any, did your father teach you that
Michael Jackson, American pop singer, is often cited as having one of the
known as driving his five sons (and two daughters) into show business with
ruthless motivation. Says Jackson, "You probably weren't surprised to hear that I
did not have an idyllic childhood. The strain and tension that exists in my
and he pushed my brothers and me hard, from the earliest age, to be the best
really told me he loved me. And he never really complimented me either. If I did
a great show, he would tell me it was a good show. And if I did an OK show, he
told me it was a lousy show. He seemed intent, above all else, on making us a
commercial success. And at that he was more than adept. My father was a
showman and under his guidance I couldn't miss a step." (Curry 2009) This
interview contributed to the formation of the following interview question for this
research.
Family relationships are vital in politics. The same might be said for
professional sports. For example, the son of an athlete may have preference in
being admitted to a college the father attended or being drafted by a team owner
who once employed the father. American politics can show the importance of
friendships within families and how a father/son friendship might benefit the son
later on in professional life. Ted Kennedy Jr., in a eulogy for his father, stated:
friend. Here's one you may not know: Out of Harvard he was a Green Bay
friend, Ted Kennedy Sr. may have had a unique influence on his son's
about career choices, like that between a life pursuing professional sports versus
QUESTION 3: Did you and your father ever have friendly conversations
about career choices? If so, did you talk about professional sports as an option
and what were some of the other occupations that your father may have
suggested as possibilities?
The previous three questions refer to relationships in which the father was
fathers can have influence on sons when the father is less present.
families, or they have had very strong, powerful relationships with their fathers
asked during an interview, "How important was the relationship with your dad to
making you the kind of man you are right now?" McCain replied, "[My father]
was absent a lot - World War II, Korean War, when he was assigned sea duty,
even in peacetime. He was gone a great deal. My mother did a good job of
keeping him alive for us - your father this, your father that. She was very good at
reminding us of him and of his example. And of course when he was home, not
only did I get to know him but his fellow naval officers." (Meacham 2008a) This
interview contributed to the formation of the following interview question for this
research.
QUESTION 4: When your father was absent, who do you feel influenced
you the most and how? When your father did come around, did the two of you
have one-on-one conversations or did your father come by with others? In both
situations, what sort of influence did your father have on you (solo and those
others)?
Currently, President Obama serves as a role model for many young black
youth. This is similar to his role models growing up. Obama's father was not
present and so he had to gain influence from the situation as opposed to direct
interaction. "When Obama was a toddler, his father had declined a scholarship
to New York University that would have supported the whole family in order to go
to Harvard. The Ivy League was, it seems, more important to the ambitious
Obama Sr. than his wife and child." (Meacham 2008b) This fact contributed to
aspirations? Do you feel that those dreams influenced what you sought to
become?
Organized Crime - The Son's Desire (or lack thereof) to Form Bond with Father
Often, sons will develop their own motivation even though they may have
spent very little time with their fathers directly. It is this indirect and conceptual
influence that is apparent in the description given by the son of Mafia Boss "Big
Tony." "The truth is that I've often cast myself in relation to my father, even
recognizing him as a kindred spirit whose story, if I'm being honest, I've
officers, professors, and even prospective employers with what I've had to
overcome. His story has also given me a strong sense of direction. Then again,
I'm also ashamed of my colorful past, and angry that a comfortable life slipped
from my fingers." (Dokoupil 2009) This fact contributed to the formation of the
conversations you've had with your father, can you explain how your father has
influenced your sense of direction, sense of purpose, or any other subtle gains
professional athlete, describes how her dad taught her the game of golf. "My
dad's lessons were comprehensive: how to grip the club, how to line up a shot,
how to stand, where to put your weight, how to turn your hips, how to bring your
arms back, how to keep your head down, how to do it all in reverse and not
forget to follow through, how to let the club do the work, how to use the strength
of your core, how to relax, why not to sway, how to stay coiled, how to keep your
eye on the ball, how not to lift your head until you've swung through. Oh, and
how to do all of this at the same time, every time, until you've hit about 100 balls.
And yet instead of getting frustrated, I got hooked. My dad was a gentle and
earnest teacher; I felt terrible that I wasn't always able to execute what he so
clearly wanted to do himself." (Lyons 2009) The lessons here were both specific
but also relaxed. These facts contributed to the formation of the following
QUESTION 7: When you were a teenager, did your dad teach you how to
play? If so, how did he teach you? Where were the lessons held? Was he
Organized Crime - The Son's Desire (or lack thereof) to Repeat Acts of Father
No matter how successful the father or son became in life, influence can
will use the styles of the father with the next generation. The son of Mafia Boss
"Big Tony" explains, "As an adult, I've tried to erase the darker aspects of my
double helix. I've married a woman far classier than myself, and with a little luck,
my son will get all the things I lost too soon: the nice house, the exotic vacations,
the great school, a decent dad with a moral compass. When he gets older, I'll tell
him about his grandfather, although I doubt they will ever meet. When I told Big
Tony that he would soon have a grandson, he was of course overjoyed. Were
we thinking of calling him Anthony, he asked. "No, Dad," I said. "I don't think so."
(Dokoupil 2009) The preceding questions have all discussed the role of the
father during the relationship. The final interview question for this research will
examine the perpetuity of the father's influence. This interview contributed to the
QUESTION 8: Would you have done anything differently than your dad as
far as raising you to achieve your own ambitions? Would you use the same
Content Analysis
The bulk of the research for this project will be through interviews with the
sons. These interviews will provide an excellent summary of how the athlete
that it is appropriate and valuable to examine similar data presented in the mass
media.
approach to data origin. Whenever possible, such data will be taken from
CONCLUSION
the rank of or are on track to become professional athletes, this proposal seeks
sociological research on the subjects of occupation and health. This study will
emphasize that fathers are essential to positive child development by helping (a)
set status attainment goals from ages 8 - 12 years; and (b) provide achievement
will take a closer look at the influence that fathers' socioeconomic backgrounds
athletes, were former professional athletes, or who are very close to becoming
related to that of the research interview questions. Combining both methods will
children.
when applied to this particular group: male offspring who have obtained the rank
Furthermore, this study will show how participatory fathering can contribute to a
goals defined by both the sons (self-directed) and their fathers (external
contributory to the son's athletic advancement than is the level of athletic rank
APPENDIX A
The following questions relate to status attainment goals formed between ages 8
- 12 years.
QUESTION 1: What specific skills, if any, did your father teach you that were
outside the scope of athletics?
1A - Did those skills relate to any goals that were expressed before you were a
teenager?
1B - Were there any (other) goals for you that your father expressed between
ages 8 - 12 years? If so, what were they?
QUESTION 2: Do you feel that those (non-athletic) skills were beneficial to you in
your professional development? How so?
2A - Were there any non-athletic goals that your father set for you, professionally
or otherwise?
2B - What level of professional success did your father expect from you,
athletically or otherwise?
QUESTION 3: Did you and your father ever have friendly conversations about
career choices?
3A - Did you talk about professional sports as an option for your adult career
choice?
3B - What were some of the other occupations that your father may have
suggested as possibilities?
QUESTION 4: When your father was absent, who do you feel influenced you the
most and how?
4A - When your father was present, did the two of you have one-on-one
conversations about your life goals or did your father come by with others?
4B - In either, presence and/or absence, what sort of influence did your father
have on your early career goals (himself and those he associated with)?
APPENDIX B
5B - Do you feel that those dreams influenced what you sought to become?
QUESTION 6: Outside of sports, and aside from any of the direct conversations
you've had with your father, can you explain how your father has influenced your
sense of direction, sense of purpose, or any other subtle gains that your father
may have brought to your life?
QUESTION 7: When you were a teenager, did your dad teach you how to play?
If so, how did he teach you? Where were the lessons held?
7A - During lessons about sport play, was your father rigorous or laissez-faire in
his approach?
7B - Was your dad more often (i) pleased when you succeeded, or (ii) upset
when you failed?
QUESTION 8: Would you have done anything differently than your dad as far as
raising you to achieve your own ambitions?
8A - Would you use the same tactics on your son to help him obtain his goals in
life?
8C - Did your father carry out what you just described during your teen years?
APPENDIX C
QUESTION 9: Please rank the following in order of how your father valued these
things, from highest to lowest value.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bartolomeo, J., & West, K. (2009). Country Stars and their Families. People, 30.
Curry, G. (2009, August 13). Another Side Of The Maligned Joe Jackson. Sun Reporter,
6.
Halaby, C. N. (2003). Where Job Values Come from: Family and Schooling
251-278.
Hauser, R. M., Tsai, S., & Sewell, W. H. (1983). A Model of Stratification with Response
46.
Kennedy, T. (2009). There's Nothing You Can't Do. Irish America, 24(5), 32.
Kohn, M. L., & Schooler, C. (1969). Class, Occupation, and Orientation. American
Mortimer, J. T., Pimentel, E. E., Ryu, S., Nash, K., & Lee, C. (1996). Part-Time Work
1418.
across the Life Course: Evidence from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study.