In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of education in the year 2006 and the year 2007, Dr. Sutherland conducted a study that examined the effects of father absence on delinquent behavior of African-American males. These males were between the ages of 12 through 17 years old. A self-report questionnaire determined the level of absence experienced from their father (emotional, physical, or emotional and physical) and which types of delinquent behavior the males participated. The research questions the researcher developed to determine whether various levels of father absence contributed to the delinquent behavior of African-American males. The males reported, on average, the highest scores in the violent delinquent behavior, while males with the lowest average scores were in the weapons delinquent behavior. In addition, the males with the lowest average scores were among participants with emotionally and physically absent fathers.