Within this psychological study, Effects of Father Figures, the authors are trying to

determine whether the quality of and/or mere presence of a father or father-figure influence
childrens behavior. The subjects (families) used were those that were reported to child
protective services for events of child mistreatment. There is little reported on this topic in
families that are experiencing hardship, which the authors stated multiple times and explained
was the reasoning that they decided on these affected families. Generally, fathers or male
figures in these types of families are viewed as aggressors, absent, and a large reason for future
child behavioral problems.

The authors are David Marshall, Diana English, and Angela Stewart; and although they
do not technically have expertise on this specific topic, they are all doctorate level psychologists
working at a research clinical in Washington. With their expertise in psychology, working
with children and families about such a sensitive topic is easier and allows for deeper
understanding of the child behavior. Studies like these take a time to research previous work,
become approved, and methodically be carried out and concluded. The authors did not have a
certain hypothesis in mind, but they did want to evaluate if the father or father figure influences
the child. Readers can use the information they gain to incorporate more effective services of
child protective services and/or trying to determine how to change the relationships between
the children and fathers/father figures.

Such study reports are completed with other psychologists and other scientific
personnel in mind, but the report is made available to the public. Due to child protective
services being included in the study, other related government offices could be target
audiences. The authors are connected more intimately to government offices by using child
protective services, but also mothers and fathers in the public due to the nature of the study.

Considering that families with hardships are not the typical family to study, anyone who
reads it besides family and child experts, will not have much of any previous knowledge of this
topic. But when reading this report, they should have in mind that any results or conclusions
are solely for informational use, and should not negatively alter the attitudes of or toward
fathers or father figures in these situations. Their attitude(s) or perceived value placed on the
study could be high since children are involved, and the results could be the most important
aspect in their minds. If the effects are significant, then this could mean more of a shift to
making sure that father or father figures have a role in the childs life. Or, if otherwise, the
stress placed on the persons in the family could be lowered if there isnt a mandatory push to
involve the father/father figure in the childs life. Depending on how much value they place on
the study, the reader could spend more time reading and trying to understand the material
and/or conclusions, or they could skim it, and spend little to no time looking it over.

The genre of the study is family oriented. There is a drive to understand the role of the
father in families that are less than ideal. Families such as these with multiple hardships are
those in need of studies such as these. Although it is useful to still study stable families, it is
more of necessity to consider the unstable and troubled, or at least compare the two.

The psychological aspects of the families, particularly the children, should be at the
forefront of the regulations of the study. If the study can negatively alter the child or the
dynamic of the family, it must be modified to not have this effect. A factor that seemed
unaccounted for was the attitude of surrounding people and public toward the people affected.
If the media constantly shows a negative perception this can cause others to react negatively,
either subtly or outright, toward the father or father figure, child(ren), and mother.
Considering it was a psychological based and focused study, certain aspects like this one should
be listed in the factors.

The media specifically has a large presence in the attitudes and beliefs of people in the
society, so the effects of its influence could be a study. If conducted again, these other
psychological factors and the presence of the media should be placed as important as the
economic and familial factors. Keeping in mind that the United States has a high level of single
parent homes and discouraging role of fathers/father figures, this might alter the way the
reader thinks toward the report and reading it. But this characteristic may put pressure on the
researchers to have positive conclusions, to work faster, etc.

The authors created their credibility by instating the fact this study is scientifically
based. Introducing and building on previous studies and information shows that they
intensively researched this topic, and by just examining the effect of father/father figures roles
they were not allowing for their stances to influence the data or results. By not having a
hypothesis, and just focusing on examining the effect, they could allow more room for
interpretation and research. Though this use is ethos, using ethics to persuade the purpose,
their topic matter is still a social construct focus. But the authors are also using pathos (use of
emotion) to appeal to the interpretations of father/father figures role. which is through pathos.
Since the study is predominately scientific and ethos focused, there isnt much of the authors
voice within the text or a persona in the style of writing. This makes is so that the scientific
credibility of the authors increases and any possible audience puts more value on the results
found.

The inclusion of certain previous studies text, used as a type of pull quote, attempts to
break up the text and give a more individualistic feeling to the words. Much of the language is
technical and scientific so it can be confusing for a typical reader, but the main informational
pieces of the study can still be gained. While the technical vocabulary can create a disconnect
with the average reader the focus of the study still allows for some level of an intimacy with the
authors, or at least the subjects themselves. If the reader cannot connect to the author(s) they
can still maintain interest and relation to the information represented. The tone is moderately
dry with occasional instances of insight and pathos interpretations.

The study and information is quite relevant to the audience. Child well-being is a highly
important feature in society and when there is information pertaining to future behavior,
principally influenced by familial relationships, creates some interest and significance for all
involved and surrounding. The specifics, the indirect and direct qualities of the relationships,
and the minimal mention of maternal relationships convey the limited knowledge of both the
researchers/authors and the readers. With limited specific knowledge on the area it allowed for
only certain material to be referenced multiple times and knowledge to be repeated also.

The text is arranged as most reports are with two continuous columns on each page of
the writing. The first column starts at the top of the left of the page, continues to the end of the
left side of the page and continues without a break to the top right of the page. It continues
down the right side of the page and then starts again on the next page on the top of the left side
of the page. Since this layout is used often in scientific writing, it makes it easier to recognize
information.

There are two figures included on the same page, right under each other in one corner
of a page that help the readers visualize the effects on the children. Chunking was the main
writing design method to help the readers maintain focus while learning of the study and
allows for some breaks in visual interpretation. It is when author(s) breaks up large pieces of
information into smaller paragraphs to help the audience read the information presented. With
the studys focus on child behavior in relation to fathers/father figures, the authors maintained
an acceptable format and explanation of all relevant details.