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Aquila Brink
Ms. Jennings
English 111 Section I
21 April 2014
Are Fathers Important?
As the statistical rate of single-mother homes have continued to rise since the 1980s
researchers are seeing the long-term effects on children caused by growing up fatherless. Boys
and girls are similarly affected by the absence of a father from the home. Some of the effects
may be different for girls than they are for boys, but ultimately, they can be equally damaging.
These effects range anywhere from early sexual behavior, teen pregnancy, depression, poor
school performance, and low self-esteem, to behavior problems and criminal activity. Fathers
play an important role in the development of a child cognitively, socially, and emotionally; the
absence of a father can have long lasting and devastating effects on a childs life.
Diane Weathers article Daddy Hunger, describes the longing she had for a father who
was not a part of her life and how his absence created a void in many ways, but most
significantly is her inability, as an adult, to have a normal relationship with men. According to
Weathers research, this is an issue that is not uncommon in girls who have grown up without a
father in the home. She states, I was clueless when it came to men. I could not distinguish one
who was devoted to me from one who was just passing through. Fatherless girls are more likely
to fall for the first man that shows them attention and many times will become sexually involved
out of need for the approval of the male rather than her desire to have sex.
Fathers play a very unique role in shaping their daughters understanding of what a
relationship between a man and women should be. The involvement and love of a father in his
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daughters life gives her a confidence in her female attributes and reinforces her sense of self-
worth. Without this love and guidance, without a learned trust in the first man in a girls life, she
becomes very susceptible to the risk of early sexual activity, which can lead to higher teen
pregnancy risk. She is also at a higher risk for failed relationships, as well as depression and low
self-esteem.
Boys with absent fathers are equally at risk for these same issues. Sons who feel
abandoned by their fathers develop a sense of shame and unworthiness, which in turn can cause
him to doubt the permanence and solidity of other relationships in his life. These feelings of
inadequacy and shame can also lead to an inability or fear of the boy to communicate his feelings
and emotions. Dennis A. Belcom writes in his article Absent Fathers: Effects on Abandoned
Sons, Boys learn to hide their sadness and fear and to be overly expressive through anger and
violence. This inability to effectively communicate feelings ultimately leads to relationship
problems in the boys life not only with his mother, siblings, and other family members, but with
peer and romantic relationships as well. These boys become more at risk for dropping out of
school, developing behavior problems, leaving behind relationships and children, repeating the
pattern of their father. They are also at higher risk to commit crimes, sometimes violent ones,
because of the pent-up emotions and anger they experience.
There are some studies that suggest that the problems faced by children, both male and
female, who grow up fatherless have more to do with other issues brought about by the father
leaving, than the actual absence of the father. In the article, Life without Father: What happens
to the children Sara Mclanahan describes other factors that may contribute to the unfavorable
outcome of fatherless children. Mclanahan maintains that the economic deficit caused by a
single-parent vs a two-parent income household is the most important reason children from
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fatherless household have poorer outcomes. She also attributes the negative effects to inadequate
parenting by the mother, caused by depression and insecurity due to what she terms as single
parenthood, as well as the lack of the social support the child would have had if the fathers
family and circle of friends were still accessible [pg.5]. The deficit of financial means created by
lack of the fathers income, can create problems such as insufficient child care while the mother
works, an absence of quality health care, as well as of educational opportunities. However, can
these things replace the cognitive and emotional characteristics that a father provides to the
child?
A fathers contributions to a childs well-being range from emotional security, to better
cognitive skills and social skills. Even before birth a fathers presence in a childs life can impact
a childs life by influencing the quality of the prenatal care the mother gives the child. Mothers
are less likely to smoke and drink during pregnancy when there is an involved father. Probably
the most important influence a father can have on a child is through the relationship he has with
the childs mother. This indirect influence not only teaches a child about male-female
relationships, but also contributes to the emotional security and feelings of well-being of the
child, as well as the emotional stability of the mother, making her a better parent. Boys will learn
from their father how to treat a woman with respect and will be less likely to be aggressive and
abusive in a relationship, and girls will understand they deserve to be respected and are less
likely to become involved in abusive and unhealthy relationships.
A father who has a good relationship with the mother of his child is more likely to be
involved in the care and upbringing of his child. According to research by noted sociologist Dr.
David Poepeno, a fathers involvement with his child, if nurturing and active contributes to
better verbal skills, intellectual development, and academic achievement [pg.12].
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Even the way a father plays with a child has an important role in the social development
of children. A mother is less likely to have the one-on-one type of play as frequently as a father
has with their children, because she is more involved with the actual care giving of the children.
This one-on-one play teaches a child to regulate his/her emotions and behaviors. Fathers are
more likely to rough house during play. This can have a great influence on the childs ability to
control their emotional responses to physical contact and deal with aggressive impulses without
losing control. Fathers generally encourage a child to be more independent, while a mother is
more nurturing. Both are equally important to the fostering of a well-rounded individual who is
secure and confident as well as self-controlled, affectionate, and intelligent.
A fathers contribution to a childs development is essential in many ways. The childs
emotional, social, cognitive and physical development are all effected by the absence or presence
of a fathers influence.











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Works Cited
Balcom, Dennis A. "Absent Fathers: Effects on Abandoned Sons." Journal of Men's
Studies 6.3 (1998): 283. ProQuest. Web. 8 May 2014.
McLanahan, Sara, and Dona Schwartz. "Life without Father: What Happens to the
Children?" Contexts Spring 2002: 35-44. ProQuest. Web. 8 May 2014 .
Popenoe, David. Families without Fathers: Fathers, Marriage and Children in American
Society. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, 2009.
Weathers, Diane. "Daddy Hunger." Essence (Essence) 29.7 (1998): 128. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 8 May 2014.














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