A Reseacrh Report on Patricia Phelans Incest and Its Meaning - Assignment Example

?A Research Report on Patricia Phelan’s Incest and Its Meaning: The Perspective of Fathers and Daughters Submitted by: Patricia Phelan’s article, Incest and Its Meaning: The Perspective of Fathers and Daughters, gives us an alarming view on sexual activity involving incest. It primarily addressed the problem that incestuous events could happen at the very same place where children are thought to be most safe and protected. The article focuses on the nature of sexual activity transpiring in the act of incest, from the perspectives of the biological fathers and stepfathers, as well as the biological daughters and stepdaughters. It is quite disappointing to hear about these revelations, as told by the author, but it nonetheless is true. In fact, this particular phenomenon is not something new. It has been present since time and memorial. And not only does it happen between fathers and daughters, but even between brothers and sisters. Take for instance a moment in history when “Cleopatra married her brother” (Westermark, 2005, p.3). It is considered that sexual abuse is only one among the three types of abuse (Krug, et al., 2002, p.89). Herein, the manner by which individuals conceptualize, reflect, and understand circumstances, actions and interactions were studied. The reason why it occurs is searched through the analysis of the pieces of information provided. According to the research constructed, the logical explanation of the father’s motivations in doing such a violation of the incest taboo was unraveled. However, results showed that the fathers were more alarmed when discovered by their wives, than on possible legal consequences. Whilst most of the fathers said “they knew what they were doing was wrong, still they continued their incestuous act because their thoughts were dominated by the need for sexual gratification” (Phelan, 1995, p.13). On the stepfathers’ side, control, power and anger were the reasons that emerged in the reports. In the study, the participants are biological fathers, stepfathers, biological daughters and stepdaughters. “The sample of 42 families was obtained from the Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (CSATP) in San Jose, California- an outpatient clinic designed specifically to treat incestuous families” (Phelan, 1995, pp.8-9). Individual assessments of the sample were restricted to the 40 men (14 biologic and 26 stepfathers) and 44 children (18 biologic daughters and 26 stepdaughters) who were able to give their respective consents. “One biologic father and one stepfather originally agreed to be interviewed but subsequently declined. There were various reasons nine of the children were unavailable to be interviewed” (Phelan, 1995, p.9). Moreover, the information was acquired through “interviews conducted individually by a member of the research team” (Phelan, 1995, p.9). A data sampling of 42 families was appropriate, for they were the ones who personally experienced the problem. It is also noteworthy that these people were chosen because during this time when the research was conducted, they were undergoing therapy, which serves as proof that they have the intention to put a stop to the incestuous habit. Another advantage of this sample is the fact that they were able to air their sentiments and perceptions during the interviews, which is a positive sign of moving on. The selection process of the participants cannot be generalized because the problem was an exclusive problem. Nevertheless, the chance of being transferred to other groups or populations remains as a possibility, because what happened to the chosen participants could still happen to others, depending on the nature of the behavior of their fathers. In addition, the nature of the subject matter is very selective that atypical participants or settings would not be generalized since not everybody practices incestuous acts. The only time that the data can be generalized is if the same act were to occur more frequently, then the continuance of the action is expected to do so in the future. Members of the research team, which was composed of two anthropologists and three professional therapies, conducted the individual interviews. On the other hand, the possibility that the responses of the participants were influenced by the treatment, due to the fact that fathers and daughters have been undergoing therapy for less than a year at that time they were interviewed, was not discounted. To ensure the reliability of the data collected, “40 men (14 natural fathers and 26 stepfathers) and 44 children (18 biologic daughters and 26 stepdaughters) undergone in-depth interviews” (Phelan, 1995, p.9). The interviews emphasized both the fathers’ and daughters’ recollection of the event, as well as their thoughts and interpretations of the incestuous activity whilst it was occurring. Both fathers and daughters claimed that sexual activity grew out of the currently existing forms of family interactions (Phelan, 1995, p.9). If the data collected were reliable, then it could be repeated. One way to show reliability is to show stability by repeating the test and still getting the same results. To eliminate unwanted effects and biases of the researcher or the research procedure on the responses of the subjects, a member of the research team conducted the interviews individually. “For the fathers, interviews ranged from 2 to 6 hours with the average interview lasting about 2? hours. Interviews with daughters were shorter, ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours – the average daughter interview was about 90 minutes. Interviews with the therapists on eight of the daughters were about an hour” (Phelan, 1995, p.9). The length of interview is appropriate in undermining the truth and sensitivity of the responses. Given sufficient time, the interviewer can judge the quality of the responses of the participants. The gestures and body language that were evident during the interview were also analyzed and interpreted accordingly. If the interviews were not done individually then there’s a probability that the participants would not have cooperated well due to factors such as fear (on the part of daughters) and shame (on the part of the fathers). It is human nature to reserve some “truth” to save face and human dignity. But since the manner of the interview was done on a one-on-one basis, the participants were assured of the confidentiality of their revelations. The operationalized concepts used in the data collection or analysis is distinguishable and measurable. Distinguishable in the sense that through the study, the different stories of people are revealed, specifically those of the fathers’ and daughters’ who were engaged in the incestuous acts. Though they are not personally known, their lives and thoughts are uncovered. The connection of what is right and what is wrong is established, taking us to the higher level of extending help and understanding. Measurable concepts were also used. It was pointed out in the study that the fathers’ motivations in the incestuous sexual activity were sexual gratification, control, power and anger. And these things were measured through the severity of harm and damage that they had inflicted on their daughters. The evidence offered for the construct validity of the operationalization is that families and schools of the society should exert extra efforts in teaching children strategies of protection against abusive adults and also to educate the adults about the world of children. Another would be the legal sanction “for fathers and stepfathers, as well as involvement of most family members in an educational treatment program for sexually abusive families” (Phelan, 1995, p.22). The concept is not ecologically valid because the methods, materials and settings of the study were done in a clinic, in this case in CSATP in San Jose, California and not in the real-life places under investigation. When people are taken out of their natural environment and studied in a lab, the researchers are capable of exerting control over them, thus, possibly limiting the chances of the findings being generalized to all people in a natural setting. The evidence offered for the inclusiveness of the operationalization is the inclusion of the families in the treatment. As members of the family unit, they are part and parcel of the reasons why the fathers performed such an immoral act. Neglect and lack of time for the family members could be contributing factors. Whilst experts on child abuse believe that it is entirely the responsibility and culpability of the offender, i.e. the fathers, but mental healthcare professionals claim that the liability and responsibility of such an act ought to be distributed among all three, that is, the child, the offender and the non-offending mother (Bolen 2002). Furthermore, the author claims that “the meanings people attach to incestuous events are central to understanding the phenomena of incest” (Phelan, 1995, p.8). In this case, “over half of the fathers and stepfathers explicitly reported that they thought their daughters enjoyed what was happening. They misconstrued lack of overt negative responses not only as acquiescence but as a positive participation so they continued” (Phelan, 1995, p.16). On the part of the daughters, they were confused in the beginning as to what was really happening. When the intentions became clearer, and the daughters realized something wrong was happening, they were already trapped and considered as a participant because they failed to take action when it happened the first time. Part of the reason behind the confusion of the daughters with regards to the lack of overt negative responses is their upbringing. Children were raised in such a way that they ought to submit to authority, to be compliant to adults, and to unquestionably follow the rules (Phelan, 1995, p.21). Regardless of eliminating competing hypotheses, the argument that children are at risk in their own homes is still valid. There are still other plausible competing hypotheses, which the author has failed to identify. One is the fact that some mothers who neglect their sexual obligations to their husbands push them to commit incest. And, mothers who are passing more household responsibilities to their daughters are putting them at risk on being victimized. Even with these additional competing hypotheses, the author’s conclusion that children are at risk in their own homes is not invalidated. However, there are other analyses that can be performed to support the claim. In this study, additional conclusions about causality can be drawn, which the author did not point out. For, what caused the fathers to sexualize the emotional needs of their daughters? Why are the fathers more afraid on being discovered by their wives than being sent to jail? Other conclusions that can be drawn, which do not concern causality is the following – “sexual activity with a child outside the home is more serious than sexual activity with the child of his own” (Phelan, 1995, p.20). Therefore, it is possible that all the information revealed in this study could be applicable to everybody. In effect, a causal conclusion can be drawn such as: because of the inability of the father to identify with the needs of children, incest thus arises. And, incest may also stem from the repressed negative childhood experiences of the father. These conclusions are general because the data and analysis that can be drawn out from these can be generalized on to similar instances, provided that they occur more frequently. The research method used was personal interview. “The qualitative research interview seeks to describe and the meanings of central themes in the life world of the subject. The main task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say. It seeks to cover both a factual and a meaning level” (Kvale, 1996, p.31). “Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a participants’ experiences. The interviewer can pursue in-depth information around the topic” (McNamara, 1999, p.1). This study on incest can also replicate the study on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results of both incest and PTSD are replicable because both can lead to anxiety disorders as a result of a traumatic or highly unsafe experience. Thus, this study has a significant bearing in reality because even if it is an unusual phenomenon, it nevertheless occurs. Moreover, given the aforesaid analysis, major gaps in the researcher’s knowledge of the subject matter are eliminated. But for future researchers, more weight could perhaps be given to the treatment of the daughters’ psychological function, because the negative and abusive experience undergone could result to a lingering trauma that could last for a lifetime, if not addressed accordingly. To ensure that the research subjects were safe from harm, confidentiality of their identities was provided. Only their perspectives and stories were publicized and not their identities. In line with these, none of the research subjects came to any harm. The selection of the research topic or method did not prejudge a disputed issue in favor of one party. Nothing important had been ignored that could cast a completely different light on the result. In addition, the researcher has not identified any group who might feel harmed by this research. All the arguments undertaken are sound. At most, the wives, as well as other members of the family aside from the father and the daughter might feel slightly threatened by the research. Nevertheless, they can be reassured that this study was performed for the welfare and benefit of the victims. Finally, the researcher’s appraisal of the results has not been influenced by the fact that he or she may also be threatened by it. Given the aforementioned analysis, of what interest is this research study? This study is of much interest for it offers a practical solution to a significant social problem. Moreover, it also extends our knowledge in a practical sense, for it teaches us how to be more conscious and aware of the possible dangers that surround families. With this kind of awareness, no matter how awkward the presented facts and theories may be, they can still be reconciled with our existing picture of the world. In doing so, we must be willing to face and understand the fact that the world we live in is not as safe as it used to be. Likewise, we must be willing to undertake the necessary precautions, for the dangers that face us today can originate in the safest of all places, such as our home. It is in this regard that by presenting such facts, the research study challenges our perspective of reality, that is, of the world we all live in. References Bolen, R., 2002. Child sexual abuse: Its scope and our failure. Kluwer: Academic Publishers. Krug, E.G. Dahlberg, L.L Mercy, J.A. Zwi, A.B. Lozano, R. eds., 2002. World report on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organization. Kvale, S., 1996. InterViews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. McNamara, C., 1999. General guidelines for conducting interviews. [pdf] Minneapolis: Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Available at: https://communities.usaidallnet.gov/fa/system/files/General+Guidelines+for+Conducting+Interviews.pdf [accessed 12 Apr 2011] Phelan, P., 1995. Incest and its meaning: The perspective of fathers and daughters. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19(1), pp.7-24. Westermarck, E. A. 2005. History of human marriage. Boston: Adamant Media Corporation. Read More