Psychological Perspective

What does a girl really need from her father in order that she might become the woman that she is meant to be? Is it his mere physical presence or is there something more to the dilemma of paternal absenteeism that comes to bear on her success as a developing woman? Milligan and Dowie (1998) posited that the father has an indirect influence on the entire family so that his bodily presence is not necessarily what is desired from him (p. 25). According to Lamb (2010) paternal absenteeism carries deeper implications than the absence of the male sex role model. He said that it is often detrimental because it results in the inadequate fulfillment of those paternal roles which are necessary for the development of a child (p. 7).

The relationship between a father and daughter is perhaps the most important relationship she will ever have with a man because it sets the standard for all other relationships with males (Erickson, 1998, p. 122). Interaction offered by both of her parents is important to her development; however, there is something that the father brings to the table that cannot be fulfilled by the mother (Rabinowitz & Sechzer, 2000, p. 154). Research has shown that there was not much attention paid to the effects of paternal absenteeism on daughters since it was believed that the problems incurred affect males more than females. However, in recent times, there has been an increasing awareness of the fact that daughters are affected by the presence and therefore the absence of their fathers in many ways.