Maria Perez

Professor Massey

ENC 1101

11/30/17

Final Essay Outline

Introduction: In todays generation, growing up without your biological father is normal, it does

affect many kids while growing up. The U.S. Census Bureau studies show that one-third of all

American children are growing up without their biological fathers". For a girl, not having her

biological father can highly affect her romantic relationships and for boys, it is often an empty void

that angers them tremendously while growing up. Although your mother does everything in her

power to fill that void, it is often difficult to accomplish filling it completely. I chose this topic

because there are many single parents out there, whether you only have your mom or dad, it

affects you in more ways than one. This topic is strongly important to me because I too grew up

with just my mom. I cant begin to stress how important it is for a little girl to have her father just

as its important to have her mother. I believe if youre going to create a life, you need to be

ready to be there physically to help raise your child.

I. Topic Sentence: The following sources, speak about statistics of children without a

father and in which ways it can affect them.

A. If you go to any prison, 9 times out of 10 they would say that if they had a mentor their

life couldve changed. Sowers, John.

B. These groups attract the lonely and dissatisfied, promising what they cannot truly

provide -- a sense of relevance, self-worth, and fulfillment. Minnotte, Cindy L.

C. Statistics show that in communities where many young men don't know their fathers,

crime rates are high, school dropouts occur more frequently, children are more often born

out of wedlock, and poverty is pervasive. Minnotte, Cindy L.

II. Topic Sentence: The following sources talk about how growing up without a father

can impact a womans life and how. The sources also use statistics.

D. A study of nearly 800 girls in New Zealand and the United States who were tracked

from early in life to 18 found that father absence was the most significant risk factor for

teenage pregnancy in daughters, and that the earlier the father was absent from home the

greater the risks of early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy. Colman, Robyn, and

Colman, Adrian

E. The link between the absence of a father and risky sexual behavior was irrespective of

the girls' temperament, whether they were rich or poor, black or white, or raised in safe or

violent neighborhoods. Colman, Robyn, and Colman, Adrian

F. Nine women participated in this study. Findings revealed

that growing up without their father present in the family home disrupted the relationship

these daughters held with their fathers. Due to the perceived lack of interest, these

daughters felt from their fathers, they expressed feelings of hurt and diminished respect

for their fathers. East, Leah.

III. Topic Sentence: Sources below describe the feelings children growing up without a

father feel using themselves or primary people to them as a reference.

G. The child in a fatherless family is prone to resent having only one parent and, as a result,

being different from his friend. Schwartz, Emanuel K.

 H. Teens growing up without a father are more susceptible to emotional distress. This is a

hard subject for me to discuss because it forces me to recall very dark times in my life.

Kismet, Michael

I. Angry because his mom has a new boyfriend, and he is angry because he doesn't have a

dad. Connor, Jeanine

Conclusion: After reading from all these varieties of sources, it is clear to conclude that growing

up without a father can impact you no matter the race, sex, or age. At the end of the day, life

would be very different if you had both parents by your side. Step parents wont go the extra

mile for their step kids as they would for their own kids. Therefore, a father or a mother is both

irreplaceable, the love and effort could never compare to any other. However, things aren't

perfect and some parents, unfortunately, pass away or are simply just not involved, which is why

programs like the "mentoring project" exist. To help kids have that father figure feel even if it

doesn't compare remotely. It is important for a child to have both parents but if the situation

doesnt allow it, there are various ways to have that father figure, whether its an uncle, brother,

cousin, etc. To conclude, growing up without a father figure, is difficult and can impact your life

in various ways, but there are many programs and people who would be willing to help if you

reach out to them.