Effects of the Father Absence on Girls - Research Paper Example

? Effects of the Father Absence on Girls. Introduction The phenomenon of father’s absence can be considered as one of the major issues which can vastly affect the children especially girls on their education, personal development and their way of life within the society. In the context of children or adolescent girls whose fathers are found to stay away from the family, significantly instigates the children to drop out of education, triggers teenage pregnancy as well as results in low self-worth of the children within the society. The stable separation or absence of fathers can lead the children towards getting engaged in various unsocial activities which include promiscuity, teenage pregnancy as well as unintended poverty (Chen, n.d.). Definition of Fathers Absence According to the empirical evidence of the modern social studies, it can be identified that father’s absence significantly poses an impact on the children, especially girls. The absence of fathers can be explained to be a certain state of affairs where the fathers do not live with their children or they stay away from the family for a prolonged period of time. This may include fathers who are divorced, incarcerated, who frequently travels outside for business purposes or are employed with the military division and therefore, needs to stay away from their families. With this concern, the consequences which might be observed in the children or aging girls in such families can relate to several unsocial activities or the risk of teen pregnancy among others which can gravely and adversely affect the social environment as well as the reputations of such families (Mancini, 2010). With regard to this significant issue, this discussion would intend to focus on the various consequences related to the absence of fathers on the girl children. Effects of Fathers’ Absence on Girls Various negative impacts on the girl children have been identified which are likely to occur owing to the absence of their fathers. With this concern it can be stated that a few of the major and usual effects are adverse influence on education, teenage pregnancy and promiscuity. Education The presence of father is considered to be an important factor for the children in terms of their education. A father is believed to possess the capability of effectively guiding and supporting his children by providing adequate information, expenses as well other essential concerns related to the aspect of education. According to the increasing pace of the educational requirements, a child is required to be provided appropriate guidelines by both of his/her parents with regard to the educational syllabus as well as other education related expenses. Therefore, in order to achieve a significant growth academically, it is important for both the parents to support the child. It can be stated in this context that it has been revealed through various studies that girls are usually found to follow the activities that are performed by men and thus, significantly obeys the instruction of their fathers. Therefore, it can be stated that the presence of father can play an important role for his children especially girls in order to make her highly qualified as well offer appropriate form support towards ensuring the accomplishment of adequate education (Mancini, 2010). Teenage Pregnancy According to the present day context, an increasing rate of unintended pregnancy across the various regions can be well observed. According to various resources is has been found that teenage girls raised in their father’s absence are more likely to get into depression, display behavioral problems as well as drop out of education. Thus, it can be well deciphered from the mentioned actuality that girls who lack the support of their fathers can easily fall victim to certain sexual promiscuous behaviors which trigger the rate of teenage pregnancy in various regions (Mancini, 2010). It was identified in this regard that the girls tend to feel more independent without the presence of father and as a result get associated with various activities which are not considered to be appropriate at their age. In the context of a study made by Ellis and others, it was identified that around 10% of the girls in United States within the age of 15 to 19 years turn pregnant every year and approximately half of them end up with live birth (Ellis, Bates, Dodge, Fergusson, Horwood, Pettit & Woodward, 2003). Therefore, this evidence appears like general knowledge to those who believe that girls without fathers look for male attention in order to get rid of the emptiness in their personal lives (Horne, n.d.). Promiscuity The importance of fathers presence in the family is considered to be quite imperative in order to protect their children especially girls from getting involved in unsocial and immature sexual activities. According to the psychological viewpoint, it can be mentioned that women or girls are found to frequently get involved with certain unsocial and unethical practices such as teenage pregnancies, promiscuity along with other physical misconducts. Therefore, this particular aspect of lucidly highlights the fact that girls without the presence of fathers can get easily attracted to definite immoral sexual behaviors which in turn causes teenage pregnancy (Ellis, Bates, Dodge, Fergusson, Horwood, Pettit & Woodward, 2003). Moreover such situations also brings into light the characteristics of the environment in which the girls grow up after their fathers leave them prior to the age of 13 years (Mancini, 2010). The presence of a father is measured to be a major aspect in order to build a strong and stable family. Without the presence of fathers, the mothers might witness the requirement to work outside for the purpose of earning for their family which further influences and instigates the girls to get engaged with other men. Such a situation is consequentially known to cause teenage pregnancy or promiscuity due to the absence of fathers or rather male members within the family. Moreover, with respect to certain researches, it can be identified that the absence of fathers is supposed to be significantly linked with teenage pregnancies or promiscuous behaviors of the girls (Mancini, 2010). Psychological Solutions to the Problems The involvement of father within the family is associated with a minimum level of risk for the girls to get involved with certain unsocial activities such as, teenage pregnancies and other promiscuous behaviors. Fathers can play quite a significant role towards protect their girl children in terms of preventing them from getting involved in unethical and unsocial practices by being present within the family. Therefore, girls’ involvement with regard to teenage pregnancies and other promiscuous behaviors can be prevented or reduced with the help of appropriate kind of guidance and effective support from the fathers by spending time with their families. The presence of fathers can also provide the benefit of availing superior form of education, ensuring health as well as wellbeing of the girls in the society (Antecol, Bedard & Helland, 2001). Conclusion It can be lucidly deciphered from the above discussion that the increasing pace of social trends makes it necessary for fathers to protect their children especially girls from unsocial practices and offer effective care and support with their presence in the family. The fathers’ presence in the family also acts as an advantage for the girl children in terms of acquiring higher education and understanding the responsibilities of their parents. Fathers are still considered to be the essential and vital component for developing successful as well as healthy families. Various researches or assessments have been known to prove the actuality that the consequences related to the absence of fathers in the family are regarded as increasingly unfavorable for the general welfare of their girl children. References Antecol, H., Bedard, K., & Helland, E. (2001). Does single parenthood increase the probability of teenage promiscuity, drug use, and crime? Evidence from divorce law changes. Retrieved from http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/papers/wp08-02.pdf Chen, N. (n.d.). The impact of father absence. Retrieved from http://extension.missouri.edu/cooper/fok/father_absence.htm Ellis, B. J., Bates, J. E., Dodge, K. A., Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J. Pettit, G. S., & Woodward, L. (2003). Does father absence place daughters at special risk for sexual activity and teenage pregnancy? Child Development 74(3), pp. 801-821. Mancini, L. (2010). Father absence and its effect on daughters. Retrieved from http://library.wcsu.edu/dspace/bitstream/0/527/1/Final+Thesis.pdf Horne, M. (n.d.). The impact of father absence on adolescent romantic relationship ideals. Retrieved from http://aladinrc.wrlc.org/bitstream/handle/1961/9630/Melissa%20Horne%20Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 Read More