Operative group with adolescents who experience temporary paternal absence: Experience report

Abstract

Temporary paternal absence is a subject that has been scarcely studied, although it may affect family functioning and the adolescent’s individual development. This study aimed at reporting activities proposed to female adolescents whose fathers were temporarily absent for professional reasons, from a conception of operative group. These activities were aimed at knowing the adolescents’ experiences, perceptions and feelings about this family context and at discussing and reflecting about it. This group has provided a space for reflection, allowing the exchange of experience between them and the discovery of new emotional resources to deal with this family reality. Eight meetings were held weekly, in a school in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, in reverse shift to the adolescents’ classes, lasting 90 minutes each. Ten teenagers aged 14 to 16 participated in the group. Little participation from fathers in affective terms and in the girls’ school life was noted, which was compensated when they returned home through permissiveness and acquisition of material goods. The teenagers have demonstrated the assumption of responsibilities and concerns relating to the family, as well as the experience of challenges and feelings of sadness regarding this family reality. However, they also pointed out some gains on this condition. The proposed activities were valid for achieving the goals of the group, as they provided the eff ective participation of female adolescents. The importance of psychological support to the family with adolescents who live in this condition is also noted.

Keywords: adolescent, parent-child relations, paternal absence, operative group.