I grew up without a father and a mother who worked constantly. My three siblings and I were forced to grow up at a young age and learned to fend for ourselves. My oldest brother was obligated to be the “man” of the house. Eventually, the pressure got to him and he cracked. He was only 14 years old when he turned to drugs as a coping mechanism. Having to see my brother do drugs, getting arrested and being aggressive really put a toll on my siblings, especially me. I didn't have a father to cry to when my brother was mean to me. I didn't have anyone.
I developed severe depression while my brother was a delinquent and my oher siblings suffered too. My sister is severely attached to my mother and my little brother has social problems. So, I know what it's like to not have a dad. I've seen many terrible things growing up. Sometimes I wonder if things would be different if my father never left.
It's important for people to be aware of the effects one faces if they grow up without a dad. Most of you guys probably don't even think twice when you go to your friends house and there isn't a dad. Have you ever wondered if it hurts your friend? I know most of us don't really talk about it, but we should! Nobody should be alone.
If you google “fatherless children” not much comes up. You might find some boring sociological articles, but not much media. There are several memes that portray sad children but those aren't all that realistic. I'm sure not many people actually know that growing up without a dad can severely damage the children. That's why it is so important for me to stress the awareness of this topic. Scholarly research has a little more to say on this topic. Leah East wrote an article titled “Mens Construction of Mothering: Growing Up In Father-Absent Families.” Her study was qualitative and had 21 participants, all adult males. She interviewed these men on what it was like to grow up without a father. Her findings revealed that:
The topic of fatherless children is important. Several people have researched it, but its stuck inside the sociological and psychological world. It's time to bring it to the public and away from the academia. The more aware people become, the more we can help these kids. More youth programs can be created and more family support. Nothing is better than having family support. Once families are aware that there kid is acting out or is depressed is because they don't have a father, the more help and support the child will get. So, spread the word, make fatherless children known in the public world.
I developed severe depression while my brother was a delinquent and my oher siblings suffered too. My sister is severely attached to my mother and my little brother has social problems. So, I know what it's like to not have a dad. I've seen many terrible things growing up. Sometimes I wonder if things would be different if my father never left.
It's important for people to be aware of the effects one faces if they grow up without a dad. Most of you guys probably don't even think twice when you go to your friends house and there isn't a dad. Have you ever wondered if it hurts your friend? I know most of us don't really talk about it, but we should! Nobody should be alone.
If you google “fatherless children” not much comes up. You might find some boring sociological articles, but not much media. There are several memes that portray sad children but those aren't all that realistic. I'm sure not many people actually know that growing up without a dad can severely damage the children. That's why it is so important for me to stress the awareness of this topic. Scholarly research has a little more to say on this topic. Leah East wrote an article titled “Mens Construction of Mothering: Growing Up In Father-Absent Families.” Her study was qualitative and had 21 participants, all adult males. She interviewed these men on what it was like to grow up without a father. Her findings revealed that:
- Memories of lossed and missed opportunities
- Poverty and disadvantage
- Ongoing sense of loss
- Mom working all the time
- Stress from economic hardship
- Emotional distance with mom and siblings
- Mom was too exhausted to provide emotional support
- Separation from a parent leads to less supervision
- Half of inmates have previously lived with their child
- Children with an incarcerated father have higher chances of being a delinquent
- Has a greater effect on boys
- Decrease in school attendance
- Boomerang dads are better than being completely absent
- Females experience increase rate of depression
- Males experience increased rate of aggression
- Family instability leads to increased rates of substance abuse & suicide ideation
- Children are more likely to act out for attention
The topic of fatherless children is important. Several people have researched it, but its stuck inside the sociological and psychological world. It's time to bring it to the public and away from the academia. The more aware people become, the more we can help these kids. More youth programs can be created and more family support. Nothing is better than having family support. Once families are aware that there kid is acting out or is depressed is because they don't have a father, the more help and support the child will get. So, spread the word, make fatherless children known in the public world.
East, Leah BN., Marie Hutchinson, tamara Power, and Debra Jackson, 2017. “Men's Constructions of
Mothering: Growing Up in Father Absent Families.” International Journal of Men's Health
16(1): 37-48.
Hernandez, Daphne C., Emily Pressler and Cassandra Dorius. 2016. “The Role of Boomerang
Fathers in Adolescent Female Depression.” Journal of Marriage and Family6(5): 1285-
1299.
Paternal Incarceration and Delinquency” Journal Of Research In Crime and Delinquency 52(3):
414-443.
