FATHERLESS
GIRLS
Written by Sharon Y. Judie
A child being raised without their father is
more common today than in previous
decades. Many single mothers rely on
government assistance for basic necessities,
such as food, medical coverage and shelter.
These necessities should be the shared
responsibility of both parents, but that’s
rarely the case.
When I was in elementary school, we made
handmade gifts to take home to our fathers
for Father’s Day. I remember a childhood
friend’s tearful reaction one year when our
third grade class made gifts for Father’s Day.
Her dad had died a few weeks before and
being required to make a gift was a
reminder that her father was gone. My
friend’s tears and wailing haunted me for a
long time. I was too young to understand the
pain and reality of her never seeing her
father again, but sadly, some men have
made the intentional decision to remove
themselves from their children’s lives. Our
society has become numb to fathers being
absent from their children’s lives, and in
many instances, the children have become
numb as well. Or, so it seems.
The reality is, teen girls without a father in the
home often find themselves in relationships
with bad boys. Studies show that fatherless
girls fall prey to boys and men who give them
the attention they seek. These girls seek
validation and acceptance and will usually
make unwise decisions and engage in risky
behavior. A father’s presence and guidance
are crucial to a child’s development and well-
being. In their immaturity, teen girls don’t
realize they’ve made unwise decisions until
it’s too late. Many fatherless girls are verbally,
physically and sexually abused. Daddy is the
first man that a girl should love. Fatherless
girls look for love to fill the void left by an
absent father.
While it may seem that a father’s absence is no
big deal, a father’s absence affects children
more than many are willing to admit.
If you know a child being raised without a
father, why not consider becoming a mentor?
Daddy is the first man
that a girl should love.
Sharon Y. Judie is a writer and inspirational speaker. She hosts the
"Daddy's Girl Empowerment Summit", an annual conference for girls
being raised without a father in the home. Sharon is a published
author of the highly popular, "Heart to Heart: Encouragement, Advice
and Inspiration for Teen Girls", a compilation book of letters and
advice, written by men, from various professions and walks of life, to
encourage and empower teen girls.
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