Writing Instructions
The Effect of an Absentee Father on a family (i.e. children and custodial parent)
• Define the extent or scope of the issue (absent parent/father)
• Identify the underlying issue of absentee fathers
• Provide specific current statistics of the broader issue.
• Explain which populations may be most affected. How much is the Hispanic/Latino population affected?
Parenting
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Parenting
Parenting is one major responsibility of an adult person that should not be neglected. As a parent, one should give their children a good start in life. Parents nurture, protect, and guide their children to ensure they remain on track. As a child grows and develops, there are many things parents can do to help them. According to (Lakhani & Nadeem, 2017). loving and nurturing father improves the outcomes for children, families, and communities. Fathers who live with their children are often more likely to have a close, enduring relationship with their children. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of absentee fathers on a family.
Define the extent or scope of the issue
During the early years, children make tremendous steps in all aspects of development, including linguistic, physical, social, emotional, ethical, and mental. However, this development is vulnerable to adversity, risks, and critical windows of time. Both parents play important role in achieving these milestones (Lakhani & Nadeem, 2017). The roles that have been identified with fathers make them protectors, providers, and male role models. There are certain consequences a child may face in the absence of a father. Such consequences include a lack of manners and respect for their elders including their mothers. The custodian parent normally experiences difficulty raising the child. They lack respect for traditional customs. Lakhani & Nadeem (2017), state that children from divorced or single-parent families are more likely to engage in risk behaviors of substance abuse, promiscuity, ad crime involvement. Women who are inequitable and have healthy relationships with men who contribute to care work experience lower levels of family stress, are less likely to suffer mental health problems, and derive greater satisfaction from their roles as mothers.
Identify the underlying issue of absentee fathers
There are several underlying issues related to father absenteeism in many families. According to Grau et al. (2022), the mental and physical health of fathers may contribute to the absence of fathers, when they cannot perform their responsibilities. Death of fathers may also occur as a result of the health complications leading to the absence of fathers. The roles, social expectations, and needs of fathers are varied. Military fathers are good examples; they stay away from their families for a long time (Grau et al., 2022). Military fathers being deployed leaves behind mothers to be single parents with little support for raising the children. Divorce is another factor that contributes to single mothers or fathers leading to the absence of one of the parents. According to Lakhani & Nadeem (2017), National Fatherhood Initiative reported in 2010 that fatherlessness is related to delinquency and violence. These are underlying issues for the absence of fathers.
Provide specific current statistics of the broader issue
The 2014 US census reported the number of fathers in the United States about 72 million. The number of single fathers raising children in 2019 was 2 million. this is a significant increase compared to what was recorded in 2000. According to LifeisBeautiful.org (2018). there are more than 64 million men who identify themselves as being a father. However, only 26.5 million men are present and part of a home where they are married to a spouse and have children under the age of 18 living there. 1. 85% of youth who are currently in prison grew up in a fatherless home. 3. 39% of students in the United States, from the first grade to their senior year of high school, do not have a father at home (LifeisBeautiful.org, 2018). These are some of the statistical data related to the issue.
Explain which populations may be most affected. How much is the Hispanic/Latino population affected?
The rates of father absenteeism differ from one ethnic group to another. According to Wilson (2017), Black communities are more affected by this issue, followed by Hispanics, and Whites. The presented data shows that in 2015, 29.6% of White mothers were single, 67.9% of Black mothers were single, and 47.9% of the Hispanic mothers were single. These are data for 2015, however, this trend has persisted over the years. For example, in 2017, the percentage of children born by single mothers was 54% White children, 65% Black, and 41% Hispanic or Latino children. The trending data shows that Black children are more affected, followed by Whites, and Hispanics (Wilson, 2017). Therefore, Latino is the least affected among the three groups.
Conclusion
Parenting is an important part of every responsible adult. The presence of parents is very important for the development of children from all spheres. Fathers play a very important part in parenting. Fatherless children experience various consequences such as lack of manners and respect for their elders including their mothers, among other problems. Fathers may be absent due to work, health issues, divorce, death, and others. The trending data shows that Black children are more affected, followed by Whites, than Hispanics.
Reference
Grau Grau, M., las Heras Maestro, M., & Riley Bowles, H. (2022). Engaged Fatherhood for Men, Families and Gender Equality: Healthcare, Social Policy, and Work Perspectives. Springer. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/50717/978-3-030-75645-1.pdf?sequence=1#page=25
Lakhani, S., & Nadeem, S. (2017). Effects of Father’s Absence on Child Growth and Development During Early Years. Journal of Early Childhood Care and Education, 1. http://jecce.aiou.edu.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/3-effects-of-fathers-absence.pdf
LifeisBeautiful.org. (2018). 36 Shocking Statistics on Fatherless Homes. https://lifeisbeautiful.org/statistics-on-fatherless-homes/