ABSENT FATHER

The Impact of the Absent Father on the Child

The Impact of the Absent Father on the Child

Introduction

The present situation, in which we live in, the absence of parental time, especially of father's, reflects on its importance in family life, and in its contribution impact on children. In other words, one can say that the father is the first male model for their children. The importance of his presence as the first person with the mother, forge the first experience of children.

The father plays a significant role in shaping the children belonging to a family, and developing them as part of a society. The father is an aid in the social development of children. He assists in their emotional balance. Therefore, it is important to have a father in the family to create a balance in children's personality without dominating or subjugating them. A father's role before the children should base on affection and negotiation, before becoming a dominant or overprotective person (Wertheimer, 2002). A father figure needs to be sensitive, and take precedence over radical authoritarian and open to the emotional needs of their children, knowing their feelings, and understanding them. In addition, a father is a pro-active model, who knows the positive out of each of the circumstances being experienced by his children. The father also helps his children by understanding his children's emotions and feelings, and helping them to verbalize their emotions and understanding their failures.

Discussion

Consequences of the absence of the father figure:

The father's presence is vital in the development of the various developmental aspects of the lives of children. In case a father is absent, it can have significant impacts on the children. The effects of father absence are given below:

There is loss of emotional contact with children. A father's presence is essential in the playful activities of children, and for their communication with a role model (Lewin, 2005). The time spent on playing with them is vital for the psychological development and self-esteem of children. Sometimes, a father needs to reflect on questions such as:

How much time I spent playing with my son or daughter?

Do I have time available during the day to spend with my children and communicate with them?

Do I let my children in their free time to schedule my presence and contribution?

Do I participate in the recreational and cultural activities of my children, and their social and educational needs?

There is a loss of family dynamics, which is of considerable importance to the development of the concept of the family of the child. Parental example contributes in making children able to successfully deal with relations with people of the opposite sex.

The absence of a father also results in regressive behavior among children. Children who are at the stage of early childhood education tend to exhibit regressive behaviors when the father figure is absent. These behaviors include insomnia, panic tantrums, separation anxiety of the mother, loss of bowel control, regression in the habits of cleanliness, cognitive stagnation, phobic fears ...