All semester, you have been practicing ways of entering into a
larger conversation. You have summarized, analyzed, and
gathered sources that constitute a conversation about a topic
that matters to you and your intended audience. Now, it’s time
for you to weigh in with your own well-reasoned, persuasive
argument.
As you consider your argument, you might begin by
considering exigence, or the sense of urgency around your
topic. Why is it important to discuss this topic now? What
events or situations have instigated your intervention? What
information, perspectives, or ideas can you add to the
conversation, so that you are not simply rehashing common
arguments? Communicating the urgency of a topic is the first
step to writing arguments that readers want to read.
Since this paper focuses on the persuasive nature of writing,
you will need to develop a specific thesis statement and
support it with sound evidence. The research you have done
should comprise a significant portion of this evidence, but be
careful that you do not work backwards and retrofit that
evidence to a pre-imagined thesis. Rather, your argument
should emerge from research and evidence. You will need to
revisit, rethink, and revise your thesis many times.
You may wish to structure your essay similarly to the examples
we have studied so far and the ones we will study for this
assignment. As with all of our formal assignments, you will use
writing as a process of inquiry, and you will continue to craft
your writing around a specific audience in a specific situation.
Analyze what readers of position papers expect from the
claims, arguments and evidence writers offer, and craft your
paper accordingly.
Your paper should ably demonstrate the key features of an
argument and the rhetorical strategies that your textbook
covers and that we’ve practiced in class all semester (in
particular, see Chapters 4-11 in your Views textbook). Your
essay should show a clear sense of purpose and audience.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS
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● 1500 words (you can be a little over or under)
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● 12-point font, double-spaced, standard font
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● Descriptive title (effective titles attract readers by
hooking their attention and signaling what the text will
offer them: an argument, a position, an insight, etc.)
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● Title centered on the first page, page numbers in
bottom or top right corner.
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● On the top le corner of the first page only: your name,
instructor’s name, class, date.
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● Works Cited Page with complete and correct MLA
formatted citations for any and all material referenced
or otherwise included in the essay.
Questions: Are there profound and Long-Lasting Effects of Absent Fatherhood on Children’s Well-Being and development?
Parental Absence
Fatherhood plays a crucial role in a child’s development, and the absence of a father figure can have profound and lasting effects on various aspects of a childs upbringing. This essay aims to explore the emotional and academic impact of absenty fathers on children, drawing upon research studies to support the discussion on how it may affect how these children perceive the world. By understanding these impacts, we can better address the challenges faced by children growing up without a father’s presence and provide appropriate support and resources to mitigate the negative consequences.
Children growing up without a father figure often face emotional challenges that can significantly affect their overall well-being. The absence of a father’s presence and emotional support can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of abandonment, and a sense of loss. Research conducted by BetterHelp (2023) suggests that children from father-absent homes are more vulnerable to developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In contrast, children with involved fathers tend to have higher self-esteem and develop better social skills and connections. Fathers play a critical role in teaching values, morals, and helping children navigate important life decisions. To further ellaborate on the emotional impact, a study conducted by Mao et al. (2020) focused on left-behind children in China, who experience separation from their parents due to internal migration. The findings showed that parental absence negatively impacts these children’s educational outcomes, cognitive development, and mental well-being, when they were coompared to the statistics of children broughn up in two paret households (Hysing et al., 2017).
According to research the absence of a father can also have significant consequences on children’s academic achievement. Numerous studies have consistently shown a correlation between father absence and lower academic performance. Children from father-absent homes are more likely to struggle in school, exhibit poor academic performance, and have a higher likelihood of dropping out of high school. The lack of a father’s involvement and support in their educational journey can hinder their motivation, engagement, and overall success in school.
Research conducted by BetterHelp (2023) highlights the academic challenges faced by children in father-absent homes. These children often lack the guidance, encouragement, and educational resources that fathers normaly provide. Consequently, their academic potential may not be fully attained, leading to long-term consequences for their educational and professional trajectories.To support these findings, a study by Hurtack (2008) explored the effects of father absence resulting from divorce on adolescents’ adjustment. The research revealed that adolescents from divorced families are more likely to experience internalizing and external problems, including academic challenges, social difficulties, and risky behavior (Hysing et al., 2017).
Behavioral problems are more prevalent among children growing up without fathers according to studies done by Betterhelp(2023). The absence of a male role model can lead to behavioral issues such as aggression, delinquency, and involvement in risky behaviors. The lack of a father’s presence and influence can result in a lack of structure, boundaries, and positive male role modeling, which are crucial for a child’s healthy development. Without appropriate role models, children may have difficulty understanding and internalizing certain norms and values. The absence of a father’s contribution can also put a strain on the family economically. Single mothers raising children without the support of the father often face financial difficulties due to the fact the burden of supporting a family falls solely upon them . The economic disadvantage can further exacerbate the challenges faced by the family and contribute to a higher risk of living in poverty. Research conducted by BetterHelp (2023) extensively highlights the economic implications of absent fatherhood. This financial strain can impact the child’s access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and other essential resources, furthering the cycle of disadvantage. In addition to the studies mentioned above, many other research studies provide valuable insights into the consequences of parental absence on children’s development and well-being. For example, a study by Yang et al. (2022) investigated the impact of parental absence during infancy and early childhood on cognition and depression in later life. The study found that children who experienced parental absence during this critical developmental period exhibited poorer cognitive performance and higher levels of depression (Hysing et al., 2017).
To conclude, the absence of a father in a child’s life can have significant emotional, academic, behavioral, and economic consequences. Children growing up without a father’s presence often face emotional challenges, struggle academically, exhibit behavioral problems, and experience economic disadvantages. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems to address the needs of children from father-absent homes.
Work Cited Page
Mao, Mingzhi, et al. “The Effects of Parental Absence on Children Development: Evidence from Left-behind Children in China.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 Sept. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic… results show that parental,likely to attend a college.
Hurtack, Nicole M., “Effects of Father Absence on Adolescent Depression, Sexual Attitudes, and Substance Use” (2008). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 80.
Jiafei Yang a, et al. “Effect of Parental Absence during Infancy and Early Childhood on Cognition and Depression in Later Life: A National Household Longitudinal Study.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 24 Sept. 2022, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032722010862.
“How to Overcome the Emotional Impact of Absent Fatherhood.” BetterHelp, www.betterhelp.com/advice/teenagers/how-to-overcome-the-emotional-impact-of-absent-fatherhood/. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Demuth, Stephen, and Susan L Brown. “Family Structure, Family Processes, and Adolescent Deliquesces:The Significance of Parental Absence vs Gender.” Shibboleth Authentication Request, 2004,
heinonline-org.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/HOL/Page?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals%2Fjrcd41&id=56&men_tab=srchresults.