THE DISSERTATION ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to research the lived experience of African American men raised without their biological fathers. The study included eight participants, all of whom experienced living no more than five years with their biological fathers in the household before they reached the age of six. Giorgi’s phenomenological methodology was utilized, as open-ended questions were posed to collect data which facilitated the detailing of the individual and general situated structures. For those who experienced the phenomenon the findings were as follows: 1) desired to be in relationship with father, 2) developed a self sufficiency, 3) forfeited guidance, 4) observed older men as role models, 5) felt deterred in achieving life goals, 6) respected women and were prone to see them later in life as authority figures, 7) became insecure, sexually confused or homosexual when the longing for male presence was eroticized, 8) learned about sex from real life sexual experiences. Also, the competitive dynamic between father and son in the Oedipal myth did not corroborate with the narratives of the participants; it was the reverence and love between father and son within the Egyptian Osirian myth that encompassed the African American psyche.


SIRI SAT NAM SINGH
The Depth Psychology program acknowledges his dissertation entitled:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN
RAISED WITHOUT THEIR BIOLOGICAL FATHERS
"I was treated to fortuitous timing when reading Siri's dissertation at the same time I was reading Barack Obama's memoir Dreams of My Father. It was fascinating to read Siri's report of the experience of father hunger as told by his interviewees and see how many of the themes resonated with Obama's experience. I was also particularly interested in how Siri claimed the Egyptian myth of Osiris and Seth as the major father-son narrative, wresting away from Freud the assertion that the Oedipal myth is the universal expression of the father-son dynamic."


How did you find your way to your dissertation topic?

As I was raised without my biological father, I was called to the topic of absentee fatherhood which is one of my greatest wounds (From whom will I learn about manhood? Who will teach me how to navigate in this world as a Black man? What does it mean to be a man? Will I be a good father? etc.).  And indeed the thrust of the Depth program is encouragement to go "south," into the abyss, the aporia, the unconscious, the imaginal, the place of myth to deepen into soul. Voila!

Tell us a little bit about what the dissertation process was like for you.

The dissertation journey can perhaps be compared to the birthing process. Interestingly, in conversing with a dear friend about this veritable journey, I replied, "George Faison (choreographer of the Tony Award winning musical, "The Wiz" in which I was cast as Lead Monkey and understudy to the Tin Man in the 1970's) had "Suite Otis" (a world famous ballet), you had three children, and I had a dissertation. But besides the most obvious pleasure of having read or heard the words, "Your final draft has been approved," by committee members, the conscientious student should also endeavor to enjoy "the labor process." Also, in successfully traversing this terrain there is the additional pleasure of having turned my wound into a wand as, not only have I been touched but now through the knowledge /wisdom gained in doing the work/research, others perhaps can be touched and healed as well.

What advice might you have for students who are considering the dissertation journey?

Students who have a depth of being, who are capable of making a contribution to the field of psychology, who are considering on embarking on the dissertation journey, should keep in mind that beyond a brilliant topic, perspicacity and excellent writing skills, "a good dissertation is a finished dissertation." Perseverance and a vision of completion, regardless of personal life challenges, must be at the helm. To stay connected to a fellow class member as well as have a supportive committee, I also highly suggest.

"It has been my delight and honor to work as Siri Sat Nam Singh's advisor. Siri's research took him on a journey deep into the heart of a profound cultural wound in the American psyche. For hundreds of years African American families have been split by social, political, and economic forces which often resulted in fathers being exiled from their children's home. Siri has intensively documented the process by which this disruption occurs and explored the psychological and social consequences of this phenomena in the lives of a number of African American men.  This has also been a deeply personal study which Siri has undertaken with a great deal of courage, insight, and wisdom. He has returned with a compelling story that informs anyone who wants to better understand the familial issues that shape a broad swath of the contemporary African American experience."

FROM DISSERTATION ADVISOR, DR. AARON KIPNIS
FROM DISSERTATION COORDINATOR, DR. JENNIFER SELIG
ALSO SITTING ON SIRI'S COMMITTEE, EXTERNAL READER DR. NA'IM AKBAR
FROM HIS WEBSITE: "Dr. Akbar's ideas have penetrated most aspects of progressive thought affecting the minds of African people throughout the world. Dr. Akbar's insight and analysis of the social concerns affecting African-Americans in particular and humanity as a whole is soul stirring, superbly rational and highly informative. He is what they call a "Black Psychologist," an "Afrocentric Scholar," sharing his thoughts on national issues with the entire population through books,

articles, lectures, seminars and radio talk shows. This scholar, psychologist, author, and lecturer was acclaimed by Essence Magazine as "one of the world's preeminent psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology." (http://www.naimakbar.com/)
FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH SIRI UPON THE COMPLETION OF HIS DISSERTATION
      To the initials M.A. and M.F.T., Siri Sat Nam Singh joins the initials PH.D. 
where he has serviced diverse populations:  substance-dependent individuals, battered women, domestic violence perpetrators, those living with HIV/AIDS, children at risk as well as those diagnosed  severely psychotic. As a college professor Siri has taught several courses as Adjunct Faculty in the Psychology Department at National University.

His writings present a holistic perspective on well-being and have been published in magazines such as Whole Life Times, Alternatives and Awareness. He has been recognized nationally and internationally as a master yoga instructor and a dynamic lecturer on Eastern spiritual philosophies.

He recently was guest speaker for the San Fernando Valley CAMFT Chapter where he lectured on the topic "Therapist, the Intended Spiritual Teacher of the West." He has been honored by the In the Meantime AfricanAmerican Mens' group with The Brotherhood Award.



Siri has previously worked as Clinical Director, Group Facilitator, Consultant and Trainer in social service agencies. Presently, he is Clinical Supervisor (now completing the CAMFT and AAMFT Approved Supervisors' Program) at New Directions for Youth in North Hollywood and Contract Therapist in Wrap Around at Starview in Compton, California; in addition, he is conducting  a private practice with the following speciality: Difficult to Incurable Diseases and Severe Emotional Problems.

Siri just completed his dissertation entitled A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN RAISED WITHOUT THEIR BIOLOGICAL FATHERS and successfully defended the dissertation on September 21st in front of an audience of faculty, family, and friends. Click here to read more about his dissertation, the process of writing and researching it, and comments from his faculty advisors. 

Congratulations Siri!

Siri Sat Nam Singh is a licensed therapist who has formerly worked in innumerable social service agencies within South Central Los Angeles