Fatherless but Not Broken: Psychological Outcomes and Resilience Pathways in Children Without Fathers
Keywords:
Fatherlessness, Child Development, Psychological Resilience, Narrative Review, Cross-Cultural PsychologyAbstract
The psychological effects of fatherlessness have received heightened scrutiny due to their correlation with negative developmental outcomes in children and adolescents. The available literature mostly highlights the hazards associated with paternal absence, including emotional dysregulation, behavioral problems, and academic underperformance; however, there is less understanding of the protective factors and cultural contexts that mitigate these consequences. This study intends to consolidate existing psychological research on fatherless children using a narrative review style, emphasizing developmental trajectories, resilience mechanisms, and cross-cultural differences. A thorough literature analysis was performed utilizing PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2024. Thematic synthesis was utilized to examine results across three domains: psychological and behavioral outcomes, protective variables, and sociocultural impacts. The findings indicate that while not having a father is linked to higher chances of emotional and behavioral problems, these effects are greatly affected by how well children bond with their mothers, the support they get from extended family, and help from the community. Children in collectivist settings frequently exhibit enhanced resilience owing to diverse caring frameworks. Gender and developmental timing have also proven to be significant factors affecting psychological adjustment. This paper critiques deficit-oriented models of fatherlessness by emphasizing the influence of natural systems in promoting resilience. The findings highlight the necessity for culturally attuned interventions and policies that enhance current caring networks instead of merely addressing father absence.
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