ABSENCE OF FATHERS

On O e bi b ollog o ical father in the home, to o U.S Census Bureau. father in the hoomme are more prone to be suuffer and endure low self-esteem.

One in three children live without their biological father in the home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Children—and boys in particular—with no father in the home are more prone to be aggressive, suffer depression, perform poorly in school, and endure low self-esteem.

In the Centers for Disease Control a annd all ch coomme from fatherless homes. booyys without fathers are twice as to d drop p out of school and four times as a likkely to need treatment for behavioral problleems, to the National Center f for Chhildren in d’thgdll

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC says 85 percent of all children who exhibit behavior disorders come from fatherless homes. Moreover, boys without fathers are twice as likely to drop out of high school and four times as likely to need treatment for behavioral problems, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty.

“If you don’t have a good male role model, then you don’t have a model to determine what it means to be masculine,” says Dr. W. Steven Saunders, a licensed psychologist and owner of Central Florida Psychological Consultants in Clermont.

“If you don’t have a male role model, then you don’t have a model to determmine what it means to be sayys Drr. W. Steven Saunders, a licensed ps Central Florida Pssychollogical Consultants in Clermont.

“Boys need father role models to learn what to do with all their energy. Masculinity is a natural force just like femininity is. If you use it in a positive way, then you can achieve a lot. It’s a conquering kind of energy and an energy to help you act in the world. Without role models, then what do you do with all this energy? You will create an internal self-concept that makes you begin to hate yourself.”

No matter how great a single mother may be, she cannot replace what fathers provide their children. While mothers are nurturing and comforting, fathers teach children how to be risk-takers and challenge themselves. Boys need that balance of protection and reasonable risk-taking.

“BBoyys need father role models to learn what to do with all energy. is a na n tural force just like is. y you use you can a achieve of energy and an energy to you act in the w woorld. Without role then what do yo y u do with all You will create a an you beegi g n to hate No be, s she cannot what fathers their children. While mothers are nurturing an a d fathers teach children how to be risk-takers and Booys need that balance of reaasonable risk-taking

“I think our society in general is over-mothered and under-fathered,” Dr. Saunders says. “When I think of what the positive side of men are, I think of my two heroes, Mr. Rogers and Captain America. Mr. Rogers exemplified the kind, nurturing, compassionate part of masculinity that I think men should aspire to. Captain America represented masculinity in the sense of its heroism and the ability of a man to want to face danger and conquer evil.”