Research Is The Process Of Collecting, Studying And Analyzing Data

     In the United States today more than one-half of all marriages end in divorce. The purpose of this paper is to examine the reason why women have typically received custody of the children far more often than the fathers. In order to better understand child custody one must first examine how fathers have often times been left out of the picture, and conversely why mothers have had such hard times raising children on their own. This paper will first examine the perspective of a father who has lost custody of his children.

According to the course syllabus we were introduced to the techniques of psychological research. This course was able to provide an understanding of how research is done, and what methods we can use to do so. By having a clear understanding of research and techniques used, it allows us to communicate effectively in regards to ideas behind the research process. In this paper, I will use myself as the case study to examine exactly what I learned about research.

The role of the father, a male figure in a child’s life is a very crucial role that has been diminishing over the years. An absent father can be defined in two ways; the father is physically not present, or the father is physically present, but emotionally present. To an adolescent, a father is an idolized figure, someone they look up to (Feud, 1921), thus when such a figure is an absent one, it can and will negatively affect a child’s development. Many of the problems we face in society today, such as crime and delinquency, poor academic achievement, divorce, drug use, early pregnancy and sexual activity can be attributed to fathers being absent during adolescent development (Popenoe, 1996; Whitehead, 1993). The percentage of

Due to problems arising out of bitter divorces, custody, and support battles fathers are ostracize out of their children’s life. Fathers are often looked at as the bad person when things go wrong and being the blame. Fathers are just as responsible for the child being born as the mother. Over the years fathers continue to fight for equal rights, mothers are looked at as the victims and often make false statements about the fathers to suit their own selfish needs. Accusations of sexual and child abuse by mothers of the noncustodial fathers are often found to be untrue.

The United States’ ever-expanding prison and jail population has brought about many questions regarding the side-effects of mass incarceration, namely involving the effects on the children and families from which those incarcerated are removed. Regardless of the perspectives on the appropriate position of incarceration in the criminal justice system, imprisonment disrupts many positive and nurturing relationships between parents and their children. In fact, more than 1.7 million children have a parent who is incarcerated in a state or federal prison as of 2007 (Glaze & Maruschak, 2008). These youths are at risk for developing behavior and school problems in addition to insecure attachment relationships. Parental incarceration, which may also be coupled with economic disadvantage and inconsistent living arrangements (Geller, Garfinkel, Cooper, & Mincy, 2009) can be an extremely difficult experience for children. It should come as no surprise that families with children suffer economic strain and instability when a parent is imprisoned, considering how each parent in today’s world typically needs to set aside time to earn an income to support their family, and most are unable to support their homes on one income. While it may be considered intrusive to some to intervene in the lives of children and families with incarcerated parents, research has suggested that there are positive societal benefits to intervening in the lives of incarcerated parents and their

Several of the programs that are offered for the children, and the parents mainly focus on sustaining communication between the child and the parent. The insufficiency of the connection between the parent and the child, can sometimes involve the distance required for the child to travel. At times the children are found in an underprivileged situation, and are unable to visit their parent, because they can’t afford the voyage to the prison (Simmons). Other programs emphasis career pathways as well as residence reinforcement for the parent after their release. Most incarcerated mothers subsequently are limited in their parenting abilities (Ross). Plenty of educational classes are offered for aiding the parents to get back on track with their parenting duties.These courses educate the mothers about the child growth, and their behavioral control. The parent education classes are not only beneficial for the mothers, but studies show that fathers also

Research has revealed that a father’s involvement in his child’s life greatly improves the child’s chances for success. Helping incarcerated fathers foster stronger connections with their children (where appropriate) can have a positive effect for children. What is needed is stronger training of social workers and prison personnel to help males with bonding and effective parenting skills. Prisons also need to work on reorganizing visiting spaces in prisons because they are not always

Dunbar, G. (2005). Evaluating Research Methods in Psychology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

The purpose of this assignment is to explore the appropriate steps to take in order to successfully research topics in the counseling field. Research helps explains things in a more detailed and practical sense. We learn more through research and gain more understanding about the topic. Research is very important if you want to prove the integrity of a study especially when writing a paper. Conducting a research and citing sources will make it more believable.

While confined, fathers have little to no interactions with their families. Communication is limited to timed phone calls, mail, and timed visitations. For prisoners in relationships or who are married, the communication may decrease over time. McDowell (2007), as cited in (Day et. Al, 2005), sample of 51 male prisoners, more than half of them reported that little to no visits from their partners while incapacitated. As well, they reported that they barely spoke to their significant other and didn’t receive any mail. According to Rose & Clear (2003), a contributing factor in decreased contact among prisoners and significant others is due the inmate being transferred to another correctional facility. For prisoners’ children, Tasca (2015), examined the negative impacts of prison visitation among children of prisoners. In her study, she stated that two factors shaped children’s experiences during visitations: institutional environment and the parent-child relationship. By conducting interviews with mothers of children with an imprisoned parent, Tasca (2015), found that around 65% of the children reacted negatively to the visit often having emotional outbursts, acting out, crying, and having some poor attitudes. However, one-third of the children displayed positive attitudes displaying increased excitement to see their fathers, improve attitudes and increased

This program was geared towards helping the children of incarcerated individuals as well as giving parents time with their kids. The project involved a twelve week course put together by the Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC) and DOC teaching people effective parenting from zero to adulthood. Their goal was to get the parents to see their role in their children’s lives. Once the course is completed, parents get to see their kids and a therapist will provide feedback if necessary (DOC n.d.). As mentioned previously, the goal of the program is to improve relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. In the long run, they hope that the good relationship will help influence the kids to stay out of

Both Mariner and Bernstein’s articles reflect on the difficulties male inmates face within the U.S. prison system. While Nell Bernstein’s “Relocation Blues” discusses the challenges fathers face in keeping in touch with their children while in jail, Joanne Mariner’s “Deliberate Indifference” highlights the horrors of prison-rape conducted by male inmates. Despite whether one is a victim or a potential threat, or a good father or a bad

Research is a very essential tool regardless of one’s occupational profession and or background. Research is a systemic investigation that involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information in a sequential manner in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon of interest (Sheperis, Young, Daniels, 2010). Without it, professionals would not have the scholarly ability and or knowledge to preform professionally in their desired career fields. In addition to research there are several models as the Scholar Practitioner Model and the Scientist Practitioner Model that are used to increase the effectiveness of counselors. Therefore, with research being an essential tool within the counseling profession, research also have several roles.

The assessment can be re-administering at different points throughout the therapeutic relationship to monitor the effectiveness of individual and family interventions, can be used as an outcome measure in treatment effectiveness research, as well as a process measure in the areas of family interaction, adolescent development, and theoretical research (enter citation & additional reference including

Within the eight weeks of this course, we learned a lot about psychological research. This course provided an understanding of how research is completed. This course also gave an understanding of what methods to utilize based on that particular research that is being conducted. In this paper I will discuss exactly what I learned about research at an introductory level as a case study. In the field of mental health, professionals must be constantly looking for ways to help their patients (Cozby & Bates 2015).