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The main purpose of this study is to explore the change of a father in his individual thoughts, the parent-child interactions with his son, and the meaning of the interactions for him after he was attacked by cancer. This study also explores, in the meanwhile, the possible factors that influence the interactions. To achieve the above purpose, this study adopts the semi-structured interview method of qualitative research.
The subject of this study “Happy Dad” is a father who suffers from lung cancer and received chemotherapy. He has a three-year old son. From September 2007 to January 2008, the researcher conducted six depth interviews with Happy Dad.
The main conclusions of this study are as follows: 1. Before “Happy Dad” was sick, his relationship with son was not familiar. 2. Serious illness acts as a turning point for the parent-child interactions: (1) “Happy Dad” learns to “put down” everything, cherishes his life, grateful to others, and to fight up against cancer with optimism. (2) Parent-child interactions transfer from not familiar to close, through companionship, care, discipline, and spiritual interaction. (3) “Happy Dad” is always in conflict between “love education” and corporal punishment. (4) “Happy Dad” has trouble deciding between “leaving wealth” or “leaving morality” to leave to his son. 3. The parent-child interactions bring the sense of achievement to “Happy Dad” and “Happy Dad” has completed the mission to have a son to carry on the family name. 4. The father of “Happy Dad” has tremendous influence on “Happy Dad”. 5. “Happy Dad” experiences a second childhood during the parent-child interactions with his son.
Suggestions are made according to the results shown above for all fathers and future studies.
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