Ward 1
FATHERS ABSENCE AND ITS EFFECT ON THEIR CHILDREN
Angelia Ward
Professor Briggs
Sociology 1306- 12693
02, December 2017
Ward 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Abstract……………………………………………. Page 3
II. Introduction………………………………………… Page 3
III. Do Fathers Really Matter? ………………………… Page 4
IV. Definition of a Father……………………………… Page 5
V. Divorce in Relation to Fathers Absence…………… Page 6
VI. Absent [Teen] Fathers……………………………… Page 7
VII. Explanation of a Fathers Absence…………………. Page 9
VIII. Conclusion…………………………………………. Page 10
IV. Work Cited…………………………………………. Page 12
Ward 3
ABSTRACT
“Fifty percent of all marriages result in divorce.” (Jacoby 2017). This is not an alarming number
for today’s society; it has become so easy to “give up”. Sadly, when parents give up on each
other, they give up on their family also. Not speaking for all, but the common eyes will see a
broken family. A single mother is usually the result. Fathers move on, establish a new life and
forget about their old one (kids included). The decision of parents divorcing affect their children
the most. Research shows that children and young adults who have an absent father are more
liable to low self-esteem, struggle academically, lower income within their lifetime and
unsuccessful relationships for themselves. This thesis will further review the outcome of the
absent father and the effect their absence has on their children.
INTRODUCTION
In life we are born into our circumstances without any other options being provided to us. We do
not get to choose our family, financial status or anything for the matter; we must learn to play the
hand that we are dealt. I will be taking a more detailed look at the different effects that different
children have due to the absence of a father from the household. Do children with both parents in
the home have a higher success rate in life than those who do not? “There is evidence to support
the positive influence of fathers who are present to have a result of better social, behavioral and
psychological outcomes within their offspring.” (Sarkadi,Kristiansson, Oberklaid,Bremberg
2007).
When we see a teen girl pregnant or in to trouble a lot, the first thing many people say is “she has
daddy issues.” When we see a young man that lacks the qualities of a “good man” we say, “his
father must have been absent.” Are the effects of an absent father that simple to detect? Does an
absent father always result in a differed life? “According to the U.S. census bureau, 24 million
Ward 4
children, 1 out of 3, live without their biological father in the home. Consequently, there is a
father factor in nearly all social ills facing America today.” (National Fatherhood Initiative
2016).
DO FATHERS REALLY MATTER?
My husband and I created our children together. We worked together every step of the way. Our
fetus and I received our medical treatment under his medical insurance benefits and payments.
When the day came for our baby to arrive, no one paid him any attention. Everyone made sure I
was comfortable and asked me questions regarding plans for “my baby.” When paperwork
completion was needed, the medical staff came directly to me and assured that whatever I wrote
on the paper and signed would be what appeared on the official document. They didn’t need any
input from my husband, he didn’t even have to provide a signature. He told me how much these
