When it comes to parenthood and parenting, the role of a mother is often considered more important and emotionally necessary for the child. However, a father’s level of engagement can have an immeasurable impact on any individual’s mental and psychological development during their childhood.
What Does the Absence of a Father Do?
Many children grow up in broken families or are raised by a single mother. In such scenarios, one is often inclined to believe that the absence of a father is better than the absence of a mother.
But, is it?
According to the 2017 UNICEF report, the well-being of children in first world countries ranks extremely low, especially in terms of emotional and social development. While many explanations and theories are linked with the poor mental well-being of children, a common factor is often ignored – absence of fathers.
Various studies have depicted that the children who have healthy relationships with their fathers are less likely to experience depression or exhibit disruptive behavior (non-genetic) in comparison to the children raised without fathers positively and consistently present in their lives.
Why is a father’s engagement so necessary?
The involvement of a father leads to better emotional, behavioral, social, academic, and financial outcomes for the child. Research shows that children who’re close with their fathers are 75% less likely to experience teen birth, 80% less likely to be jailed, and nearly 50% less likely to be depressed regardless of maternal / paternal genetics and histories of the same.
To put it in plain words, the absence of a father impedes child development from infancy to childhood and into adulthood. The psychological harm caused is hard to reverse with some never overcoming the absence. Children who grow up in the absence of father engagement usually experience low self-esteem, are less social, and are likely to be involved in risky behaviors such as drugs and promiscuity, in adolescence and adulthood. It seems that fathers truly are priceless in the lives of their children.