Heroic tragedies: Restructuring of the family systems after an untimely demise of the military father

• Main Authors: Alvaro, Alyssandra Andrea D., Gervacio, Maria Beatrix Nicole P., Lee, Michelle A., Bugia, Mey Ryan Fel B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Fathers > Death; Fatherless families; Bereavement; Grief; Tragedy; Death > Psychological aspects; Loss (Psychology)
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7594
• Institution: De La Salle University

The father is a member of the family whose primary role is to provide for his family's needs. Losing such a figure would pose a challenge to the structure of the unit. A father who is a member of the military has a higher risk of dying, and a death in the service will be more traumatizing for its surviving military family. This research expounded on the experiences of the surviving military family after the loss of its breadwinner - their bereavement and grief, and their transition to stability. Findings showed that the surviving family experienced anger, in denial, disbelief and confusion upon the demise of the military father. As a result, the mother took the responsibility to uphold the family. Surviving families in this study were concluded to be stronger and optimistic after the tragic loss of their military father.