Abstract:
This study explored the lived experiences, both positive and negative, of daughters
with OFW fathers. It also described what fatherhood means to them and what strategies
they employed to cope with the long physical absence of their fathers. To enrich and
triangulate the data, the study used concurrent data on the lived experiences of daughters
with non-OFW fathers. Phenomenology was used as a theoretical and methodical approach in pursuing the
study. In-depth interviews were conducted to purposive samples of 20 participants: 10
daughters with OFW fathers and 10 daughters with non-OFW fathers. The data were
summarized and analyzed using the general analytic approach of phenomenology
developed by Moustakas (1994). From the analyses, themes on the positive and negative
experiences of the daughters of OFW fathers were drawn. These were presented using
textural and structural descriptions. The coping experiences were also analyzed and
presented using Lazarus & Folkman's (1984) analytical and descriptive tools on problem-
focused-coping, emotion-focused and meaning-focused coping.
In essence, a father^ physical absence is irreplaceable. It plays a vital role in
developing a sense of security and comfort among adolescent daughters. Among OFW
fathers, this is compensated through psychical, virtual and material means. Thus, this is
where the dynamics of short visits, cyber technology, maternal parenting and dollar
remittances play compensatory functions.
