DBMF 600 Journal Article Review 1
Journal Article Review:
Does Time with Dad in Childhood Pay Off in Adolescence?
Alisa Starks-East
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
DBMF 600 Journal Article Review 2
Summary
Erikson presented a lifespan narrative of stages, focusing more on healthy development
(Cherry, 2019a). While conflict still occurs within the stages, sexuality is not the focus.
Individuals are influenced by additional social interactions with peers and other adults, as well as
by the immediate family. In addition, Erickson acknowledged genetics and environmental
interaction (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Each stage involves an integration of balance between
contradictory dispositions that result in a psychosocial strength or virtue when accomplished
successfully (Knight, 2017). However, the opposites are both experienced by the person and
integrated into their personality. Individuals can become stuck in aspects of the conflict within
any one stage and carry issues into the next (Hinkley, P., et. al., 2021).
One of the most influential moments in my life having the greatest impact on my
development and overall worldview was the divorce of my parents at five years of age. This
moment caused a great impact on who I would become day to day, to the present, but when my
parents divorced and my father left the household, that crisis alone, would cause a rippling effect
in every other stage of my development to come. It was in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage
where I became “stuck” (Hinkley, P., et. al., 2021). This would cause me to suffer from the
“Fatherless Daughter Syndrome” (colloquially known as “daddy issues”) (Meyers, M., 2022).
Children ages 6 to 12 experience industry vs. inferiority, a time where the child interacts
with other children and may feel inadequate socially and academically compared to their peers
(Wong, et al., 2015). They may avoid feeling of failure and not explore their own strengths.
However, with the support and guidance of caring adults, children can be successful and form a
sense of competence. These previous ego identity strengths are foundational as the child enters
PACO 687 Journal Article Review 3
the period of identity vs. role confusion between the ages of 12 to 18 (Knight, 2017). The
beginning of this stage corresponds with the onset of puberty. This is a time where teens try out
various behaviors, roles, ways of looking at oneself, and beliefs in their journey to determine
identity (Dunkel & Harbke, 2017). Identity formation leaves the teen feeling more secure in
their future direction and in relationships with others. (Hinkley, P., et. al., 2021). The first male a
female encounters is her father. He loves, protects and nurtures his daughter with teaches her
how she is supposed to be treated by the opposite sex. Her view of other males she encounters
also comes from the way her father treats her and the other females in her life. The interaction
between father and daughter gives the female a model on how to interact with other males (Gold,
et. al., 2020).
James Dobson (2010) in Bringing up girls: Practical advice and encouragement for those
shaping the next generation of women stated, “Nevertheless, they hungered for something more,
something inexpressible, that could not be provided by money or social and academic success.
The majority of the girls spoke of a void inside that was created by the lack of emotional
connection with their fathers.” My mother was grieving the loss of marriage and fighting to stay
strong for the both of us. Many days full of tears, crying out to the Lord for guidance and help.
My father was absent from the household and did not have much interaction with his one and
only child, and daughter.
Various measures of father involvement are significantly associated with reduced
problem behaviors among both girls and boys. Effect sizes are quite large, suggesting that
adolescence may be a period in the life course where the payoffs of fathers’ prior investments of
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time may be significant (Gold, et. al., 2020). All I had every day especially, as I got older were
questions of, “What I did wrong, for him to leave, not call, not come around, not keep his
promises?” The questions faded and frustration and anger set in. Girls who are raised without a
father feel with low self-esteem. A father validates his daughter and when that father becomes
absent or was never there to begin with, the daughter will blame herself. Feelings of rejection
will surface, making her feel as if she wasn’t good enough (graduateway, 2016, Nov 19).
Interaction
In this journal article the authors have the task of helping the reader understand the
association between father involvement in middle childhood and adolescent behaviors. The
question to be studied was does a father in residence differ from one who occasionally has
interactions (Gold, S., et al., 2020). A father is important in the healthy development of a
daughter. His absence results in emotional, psychological, and physical deficiency in female
children (Graduateway, 2016, Nov 19). The article further evidenced father involvement in
middle childhood in associated with significantly fewer problem behaviors in adolescence.
These associations largely persist even among children with nonresidential fathers (Gold, et.al.,
2020).
The journal the addresses the differences between sexes and how they exhibit behaviors
because to the absence of the father from the household. As female and male youth may display
different types of problem behavior [e.g., girls may have more internalizing behaviors while boys
may have more externalizing behaviors (e.g., Eschenbeck et al., 2007)], they explored
differences in the salience of father involvement of youth by sex. Internalizing behaviors from
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mother’s report of the adolescent’s behaviors in the anxious/depressed (six items) and withdrawn
(two items) subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorala, 2001).
These variables include youth cries a lot, feels too guilty, is too fearful or anxious, and is
unhappy, sad, or depressed. Growing up without the father in the household and limited
interactions may cause girls to struggle with food obsession, low self-esteem, social anxiety, and
depression (Meyers, M., 2022).
Externalizing behaviors include the youth is disobedient at school, threatens people, lies,
or cheats, talks too much, sets fires and vandalizes. Girls without active relationships with their
fathers act out behaviorally. They become rebellious and defiant. They can become rebellious
and aggressive, confrontational, and defiant with adult figures. This may be due to the feeling of
frustrations because of the absences of a father (Meyers, M., 2022).
They concluded that it is father’s active involvement, not simply living with both
biological parents, that predicts reduced problem behaviors. Merely having one’s father in the
household (whether parents are married or cohabitating) may not be the answer to reduce
problem behaviors among youth. Instead, at least at this pivotal stage in a child’s life course, it is
direct involvement and, to a lesser extent, the quality of the father-child bond, that shields
adolescents from engaging in problems behaviors (Gold, et.al., 2020).
Application
The impact of my influential life moment is not just limited to me alone. Recently, the
United States went through a #ME TOO era. I believe the “Fatherless Daughter Syndrome”
(colloquially known as “daddy issues”) an emotional disorder that stems from issues with trust
and lack of self-esteem that leads to a cycle of repeated dysfunctional decisions in relationships
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with men. It can last a woman’s entire lifetime if the symptoms go unacknowledged and
ignored. This woman issue is not being dealt with enough in counseling. Whether a dad was
present but rejecting, or walked away from his fatherly duties entirely, his absence leaves an
indelible mark on a daughter’s psyche as she grows into adulthood. The psychological effects of
the absent father can include depression, suicide, eating disorders, obesity (and its effects), early
sexual activity, addiction-formation, and difficulty building and holding on to loving
relationships (Meyers, M., 2022).
I am aware of the impact this syndrome has caused in my life. I want other women to
experience the same deliverance and healing; I have come to know and experience from our
“Heavenly Father.” God, our Father has a plan for each one of us. “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Jeremiah 29:11). He is even going to use the hurtful
things in our lives to make us perfect, establish, settle, equip us to be a help to someone else
(King James Bible, 1769/2017, I Peter 1:10). Nothing will be wasted. We are all gifts to be
given. God must transform our minds, so our perspective changes, how we see things. The
experience did not kill us, it is helping to make us. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none;
but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk (King
James Bible, 1769/2017, Ephesians 2:8). Even though we came from fatherless homes, God has
declared He is a Father of the fatherless (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Psalm 68:5). He health
the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Psalm 147:3).
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Henderson, D. and Thompson, C. (2016) in Counseling children provide interventions for
children of divorce. Wallerstein and Blakeslee (2003 describe “psychological tasks” that children
of divorce must successfully resolve. When disengaging from parental conflict and distress the
resolution of this task calls for the children to distance themselves from the crisis in their
household and resume their normal learning tasks, outside activities, and friendships. Parents
must work to help children keep their lives in order and not let the divorce overshadow all their
activities by keeping familiar routines. Secondly, a consistent pattern of visitation by the absent
parent and an emphasis on building a new and positive relationship can help children through
this stage. Individual and group sessions focusing on building self-esteem may be helpful.
Third, divorce is a voluntary decision by one or both parents and often children tend to blame
them for being selfish. Children may also blame themselves for the breakup of the family. There
are excellent children’s books that can help them understand the divorce process and the reality
that they are not blame for the divorce. Counselors can recommend specific books for the
development level of their clients.
Our Father loves us very much! God wants to fill every void and heal every scar left by
earthly fathers. I want to offer girls and women I counsel that same hope and healing that will
change the way they look at their worlds.
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References
Dobson, J. (2010). Bringing up girls: Practical advice and encouragement for those shaping the
next generation of women. Tyndale House Publishers.
Gold, S., Edin, K.J., & Nelson, T. J. (2020). Does time with dad in childhood pay off in
adolescence. Journal of marriage and family, 82, 1587-1605.
Henderson, D. & Thompson, C., (2016). Counseling children. Nineth Edition. Cengage.
Hinkley, P., Crable, A., Davis, J., & Kuhnley, A., (2021). Counseling women: Evidence-based
treatment with faith integration.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
Original work published 1769)
Meyers, M. (2022). Fatherless daughters: How growing up without a dad affects women.
https://wehavekids.com March 7
The Psychological Effects of Absent Fathers on Daughters. (2016, Nov 19).
https://graduateway.com/the -psychological-effects-of-absent-fathers-on-daughters/
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