Negative Effects an Absent Father Has on His Children

A father's love and involvement plays an extremely important role in his child's life from the time she is an infant. Mothers and fathers relate to their children differently, both of which is needed in order for a child to properly develop emotionally. An absentee father can have many different, negative effects on the life of his child.

  1. Self-Esteem

    • A father's presence in his child's life raises her self-esteem. If she receives positive reinforcement from her father, she is more likely to believe in herself and be filled with confidence. A child tends to view herself as her father views her, and typically demands that others treat her the same way. So if a father treats his child with respect, and as an equal, she will respect herself and expect others to do the same.

    Independence

    • Fathers tend to allow their children more independence than mothers do. From the time the child is an infant, the father will allow him more freedom to crawl around the house, try to figure out what to do with his toys and learn how to do things on his own. Mothers nurture their child more, so a child without a father in the picture will be more dependent on his mother.

    Self-Control

    • Fathers rough house with their children from an early age. Besides serving as a fun bonding activity, this teaches her self-control. She learns how to control her aggressions and her emotions, while having stimulating play time with her father. Children without a father do not learn this and will tend to have more behavioral problems when she gets to school.

    Peer Pressure

    • Children coming from single-parent homes tend to give into peer pressure more frequently and more easily than those that grow up in a home with two parents. These children tend to be sexually active from a younger age. They are also more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol as teenagers.

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