Fathers who are physically there but whose support and love are missing in their children’s lives are called “Emotionally absent fathers”. There can be many reasons for emotionally absent fathers; they might be involved in daily chores, their job, or other priorities and often neglect their children. Such fathers find it hard to emotionally connect with their children, express emotions and understand their support and emotional needs. Indeed, children’s emotional and psychological well-being is badly disturbed in such an environment. This article will explore the effects of emotionally absent fathers on children.
Emotionally Absent Father Effects On Son
Do you know when the sentiments of a son hurt the most? When a son is emotionally disappointed in his father! There is a huge influence of a father on a son’s matters because a son learns almost everything from his father, intentionally or unintentionally. And there comes a time when sons are looking for the emotional presence of their parents. If not provided at the right time, the following can be the emotionally absent father’s effects on his son.
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It becomes Hard To Build Strong Relationships
The very first thing that affects the sons of an emotionally absent father is that they find difficulty in building relationships, especially with their wives. As time passes, there is a fear of attachments and close bonds that doesn’t let them build emotional intimacy with anyone.
Absence of Self Esteem
Sons of emotionally absent fathers easily tend to develop low self-esteem, feeling inferior and unworthy of affection and love in their lives. They don’t consider their self-worth of anything and often seek confirmation from other people instead of considering their own self-decision.
Involvement In Substance Abuse
No doubt, boys are attracted towards various substances, and one of the reasons can be their emotionally absent father. They handle their emotions, low self-esteem and isolation with substance abuse. The huge void inside their body left by emotionally absent fathers is coped with alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.
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Risky Behavioural Issues
When there’s no one to listen, no one to understand and no one to tell you the boundaries, sons often forget their limits and indulge in severe behavioral disorders. Sons of emotionally absent fathers are bad at discipline, manners and boundary-building.
Risk Of Anxiety And Depression
One of the severe effects of an absent father on a son is the burden of loneliness and isolation, which leads to anxiety and depression. There is an extreme hollowness inside their lives, which they try to fill with the wrong deeds that they regret later.
Effects Of An Emotionally Absent Father On Daughter
Daughters are very attached to their fathers; it is totally natural. Father’s emotional absence badly affects the well-being of the daughters. And being a sensitive creature, it tears them apart. An emotionally absent father. Fathers play a significant role in their daughters’ emotional and psychological development. When a father is emotionally absent, it can profoundly affect his daughter’s psychological well-being, just like the son’s.
Here are a few effects of an emotionally absent father on daughters.
Difficulty In Trusting People
The most difficult thing a daughter of an emotionally absent father faces is the ability to trust people. No matter in their personal or professional lives. They always have a fear of rejection and public embarrassment which makes them more socially awkward.
Inability To Express Emotions
There’s a big issue with the daughters of emotionally absent fathers; daughters don’t express emotions. They tend to keep everything to themselves, their emotions and their sentiments. Which indirectly hurts them later because they don’t know how to manage their emotions anymore!
Unsatisfied Mental Health
Daughters of emotionally absent fathers are more likely to have anxiety attacks and mental disorders like depression. With the passage of time, they may struggle with feelings of loneliness and social phobias.
Poor Academic Performance
Girls with emotionally absent fathers may feel down towards academic performance and may have difficulty focusing on their examinations due to their emotional struggles.
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Final Thought
All a child needs from his parents is attention, love, and validation to feel confident and secure in himself and the world around him. It is crucial for parents, especially fathers, to be emotionally present and provide their children with the support and guidance they need to thrive emotionally and mentally.