What is the "No dad in home" effect on girls?

[Argent]

There have been some studies, girls tend to have sex earlier, make poor relationship decisions, and have little knowledge of what constitutes a healthy marital relationship, without a father in their lives.

An interesting study just came out showing that girls without a father in their lives enter puberty much sooner, up to 2 years earlier than girls with a father in their lives.

I would have to agree with all of this, but qualify it by saying "a good father" in the home.

 

[CCGirl]

I would have to agree with all of this, but qualify it by saying "a good father" in the home.

Absolutely!

 

[JadeTigress]

My father and I don't have the best relationship ever, and I get along wonderfully with males. Most of my friends are male. I don't go around constantly seeking a male I can have a relationship with, and I'm still a virgin at almost 20 years old. Actually, when my dad is away on business trips, my mother and I get along wonderfully, and then when he comes home we're back to our typical strained relationship. So I always have to wonder what our relationship would be like today if my father had never been around.

 

[Solaris]

Lately I have noticed that teen girls raised with out dads are easily manipulated by pimply faced boy pukes.

I thank all of you for your research. I just re read the thread.

 

[trunks2k]

There have been some studies, girls tend to have sex earlier, make poor relationship decisions, and have little knowledge of what constitutes a healthy marital relationship, without a father in their lives.

An interesting study just came out showing that girls without a father in their lives enter puberty much sooner, up to 2 years earlier than girls with a father in their lives.

But is that a result of not having a father or other secondary factors? For example with the former cases, I'd expect that to be the result of a single parent rather than not having a father (due to economic and time constraints for the parent), which seems to be the case. If you look at the various studies of same sex families (usually lesbians), the studies showed no real difference* between the children of heterosexual couples and the children of same sex couples. Other studies I've seen here and there have indicated that it's not who the parents are or how many there are, but rather the the economic stability and emotional support of the parent(s) that really makes the difference.

*Well there, are a few differences, but not negative differences. I recall one studied that showed daughters of lesbian parents are more likely to pursue traditionally male dominated fields like science and math.

 

[gengwall]

I would have to agree with all of this, but qualify it by saying "a good father" in the home.

I would add, a "good" father who has and models a good relationship with his wife.

In a book I am reading now, (and I'm not sure he has research to back this up or if it is mearly opinion so I will find out), the author states that males tend to be the more adventurous members of the marital relationship, and that they balance the female's tendancy to want to nurture and "shelter". In other words, fathers are the ones who are most likely to encourage, or at least tacitly support, the independent streak that all kids are going to go through. Because of this balance, girls with engaged fathers tend to have more self confidence and a better ability to stand up to peer pressure, as well as a more adventurous and optomistic outlook on life. Again, I will check to see if there is empirical evidence to back that up. But I will say anecdotally that that is exactly what my, bold, adventerous, self confident girls have related to us in terms of my part in their growing up.

 

[Alexandrah]

I have never met my father, nor have I had a traditional male role model in my life. My mother was a very strong role model and I learned what I know about relationships by watching her attempt and sometimes fail at them.

I am an educated 24 year old woman. I'm about to purchase my first home and I have an awesome federal career. I am three years into a wonderful relationship with a handsome, hard working, educated, and attentive man.

My point is, I don't know my dad and I'm doing better in my life, career, and relationship than most of the people I have met with traditional families and father figures.

I think that the only (perceived) negative affect that was possibly a result is my lack of desire to settle down into a marriage commitment.

We are all different, we all come from different backrounds and different familial structures. The lack of two parents does not ensure one will be doomed to fail at a normal, healthy life. Some people thrive in the face of adversity.

 

[cantata]

I think any strong male role model will do. In fact, the more strong adult role models a child can have, the better.

I also think, as someone said above, that the negative effects of having no father around have more to do with only having one parent than with not having a father per se.

 

[gengwall]

I think any strong male role model will do. In fact, the more strong adult role models a child can have, the better.

I also think, as someone said above, that the negative effects of having no father around have more to do with only having one parent than with not having a father per se.

Lol - of course. Because one person can not effectively fulfill both gender's influences. I agree with you. The key is to have good role models from both genders. Of course, the "traditional" family model fits that scenario in the most uncomplicated manner with the highest proximity to those two gender paradigms.

 

[cantata]

Lol - of course. Because one person can not effectively fulfill both gender's influences. I agree with you. The key is to have good role models from both genders. Of course, the "traditional" family model fits that scenario in the most uncomplicated manner with the highest proximity to those two gender paradigms.

Aye, but some people like a challenge!

 

[gengwall]

Aye, but some people like a challenge!

touche!

 

[HolySpiritWarrior]

I can say that growing up without my father in the home for most of my life has definately made an impact on my life. Your father is the one who makes you feel worthy and loved it seems that without that around you look for love from men in all the wrong places. Not to say everyone will. I know that I stayed with a verbally abusive boyfriend for over 3 years because I felt as if it was the best I could get. If my own father couldn't love me how could any other man... It makes an ompact of your mentality. At least it did mine. Thankfully I am speaking with my father now and I am also happily married to a wonderful man but it did impact me.

 

[Solaris]

I can say that growing up without my father in the home for most of my life has definately made an impact on my life. Your father is the one who makes you feel worthy and loved it seems that without that around you look for love from men in all the wrong places. Not to say everyone will. I know that I stayed with a verbally abusive boyfriend for over 3 years because I felt as if it was the best I could get. If my own father couldn't love me how could any other man... It makes an ompact of your mentality. At least it did mine. Thankfully I am speaking with my father now and I am also happily married to a wonderful man but it did impact me.

HSW if we add the event of the mother attempting to strangle the girl when she was seven years old I suppose that her self image might be even lower.

 

[bammertheblue]

When I was growing up, my dad was "in the home" physically (when he wasn't working, and he worked a LOT), but definitely not emotionally. He was never physically abusive, but he's basically a terrible human being. What effect did it have on me? At the time, it sucked and I hated him. Now I've moved halfway across the country and estranged myself from him (we've spoken 1 time in 3 years). I actually think that having such an awful father has helped my adult relationships. I know what NOT to look for in a partner. My partner is the polar opposite of my father and we've got a great, fun, healthy relationship. So for me it ended up working out okay, even though it sucked so much when I was younger.