RWS 1301 1

The Absence of a Father

Community Problem Report: The Absence of a Father

The University of Texas at El Paso
RWS1301
July 14, 2015
Luis Portillo

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The Absence of a Father

Abstract
The absence of a father among children is a problem that leads
to many other problems as side effects to those children. Think of it as
the development of a tree. The trunk being the main problem
(fatherless), the main branches are side effect problems, which grow
even more branches/problems. Thats how many problems can be
produced from one problem that is taken for granted in society.
Mothers and close family/friends tend to believe that theyre doing a
good job to replace that father figure and they will succeed with no
problem, but the truth is that they cannot be with the affected
individual every second of their life. There are many special cases
where individuals are successful without a father figure, but it is very
rare. Studies show many factors against single parent families. It takes
a lot mental strength and effort from the individual to not be affected
by this problem among the family. Therefore, I encourage to work
relationship problems or work some kind of agreement among couples
for a better model for your childrens success in the future.

Keywords: Absence, father, problems, side effects, single, success

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Introduction
The problem can be an absolute absence or it can be deficit.
Both can originate problems for the child. Cases of fatherless children
are really high. Statistics show that 1 one out of 3 kids live without a
father figure, this adds up to about 24 million children in America, that
is a lot. Growing up without a father can present problems like poverty,
maternal and child health, incarceration, teen pregnancy, crime, drug
and alcohol use, obesity and in their education. Imagine 124 million
children with these problems! There has to be something that we can
do for this kids. Studies show that a father figure present in the first 10
years of ones childhood can better socio emotional and academic
functioning. It is hard to find an exact solution to this problem, since
the problem that really has to be solved is the relationship problems
between the parents-unless there was a loss. Laws like the Child
Support encourage men to work out the relationship and not have to
pay the mother, but it doesnt solve all the problems.
Growing Up Without a Father

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The Absence of a Father
Besides the fact that there
will always be that sad,
awkward, empty space,
children possibly struggle to
accept another man to
partially replace that empty
spot when the mom tries to
fill in the spot. There is already a fact that children born to single
mothers tend to develop aggressive behavior. A father usually models
an authority position in the family. If there is a lack of authority,
children usually do whatever they want and wont learn to control
themselves. This can lead to the fact that fatherless children are more
likely to abuse food consuming (obesity), drug and alcohol use.
Problems keep piling up and they may link to the fact that many
fatherless children eventually will be involve in a type of crime.
Therefore, mother-father children experience less odds of being
incarcerated than those who lack a father. In 2008, Raygoza (a former
gang member) stated The main reason (teen join gangs), my personal
belief, I know a lot of these kids are fatherless. Its a fatherless
generation. They look to the streets, the gangs, their friends, and the
party life for acceptance. This backs up the fact that father
involvement decreases behavioral problems and strengthens the socio-

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The Absence of a Father
emotional functioning, which could possibly lower the amount of teens
that act upon wanting acceptance.
Another big problem that pertains to fatherless daughters or
daddyless daughters (Yvanla Vanzant) is teen pregnancy. This
females frequently develop feelings of low self-esteem and
unworthiness. She makes a very strong point, the role of father is to
teach his daughter how to be in a nonsexual, intimate relationship with
a man. If this relationship is never presented, teen ladies ten to fall in
a early sex life-pregnancy. It then becomes a cycle. It becomes in
immature (will separate) couple that most of the time didnt even
acquired a high school that will sink in the poverty class.

Mother Struggle
To be a single mother is extremely hard. It takes a lot of effort,
responsibility, and strength; everything that pertains to a mother role
plus all the duties/aspect of a father. It can be very stressful, that is
why single mothers who produce successful children are often seen as
role models in the family and the community. To be a single women it
usually increases the expenditure in a household. There is high
chances that she will pay a daycare bill, pay for the heavy duty chores
(landscaping, mechanics etc.). As a result, the mother needs to work
excessive hours, and the children will lack even more affection and
attention that they need. Mothers usually lack that male instinct to

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The Absence of a Father
teach sports, character, and for male, the male
instinct that will definitely will be in use in every
aspect of development.
Conclusion and Solutions
Unfortunately there is no kind of medication
to prevent divorces, or to get rid of any mental
illness that a child will develop from growing up
without a father. Laws like the child support can encourage men to
work out the relationship, but it doesnt stop it all the time. Marriage
therapies (counseling, marriage groups) are the most effective way of
keeping a relationship healthy. Abstaining from teen sex is also a
solution to prevent the creation uncommitted families. I am proudly
raised by a hero mother that raised what is considered a successful
teenager that made As in high school and attends college. However, I
did experienced that double-triple load of studying while working while
changing the flat tire while being a role model for my younger
brothers. It was hard for my mother and it was hard for myself. It is
doable, but youre going to require a really strong mentality and
character to not fall for all those cheap mistakes. You are better than
that.

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References
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Howard, K. S., Burke Lefever, J. E., Borkowski, J.G., & Whitman , T. L.
(2006). Fathers influence in the lives of children with adolescent
mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 468- 476.
Borunda, D. (2008, August 8). Violence spikes in El Paso this summer - El Paso Times.
Retrieved from http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_10153855

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National Fatherhood Initiative. (n.d.). How to Engage Female Staff to Effectively Engage
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