It has a name, Father Hunger . In today s society, almost 50 percent of all children suffer from its effects. The effect of fatherlessness on children is profound and permeates every social institution. This paper will illustrate these effects, focusing on female children and following these effects into womanhood. This paper will also examine the reasons a father abandons his family, suggest possible reforms to reduce the numbers of fatherless families in the future and discuss the controversial topic of divorcing a parent.
American fathers are more removed from family life today than ever before in our history.
There are two proximate reasons for the recent outbreak of fatherlessness. The first is a sharp increase in the divorce rate. One out of every two marriages in the United States fails. Fathers leave for many reasons. They can range from repeating a cycle of their own agonized childhood, to low self-esteem, to desires to start a new life with another woman who does not desire his baggage .