Growing up without a father can permanently alter the structure of the brain—Ben Spencer
Whether it’s due to divorce, death, or being born in a non-marital situation, growing up without a father can have a host of negative effects.
This is according to new research, which demonstrated a significant negative impact on the brain, and increased aggression and anger in children without fathers. Studies also suggest that it could lead to adolescent depression.
To interrogate this relationship further, a study was conducted where the researchers reviewed 47 studies to uncover the effects of growing up in the absence of a father.
It was revealed that a high percentage of the cases reviewed involved people who didn’t graduate from high school, had low-income in jobs, and less family stability compared to people who had an active father figure involved in their upbringing.
Here are some of the psychological effects of growing up without a father.
More Likely To Be Aggressive
Studies suggest that children who grow up without the involvement of a father figure tend to be more aggressive. This could be volatile or silent aggression—which is more dangerous, as it doesn’t have a proper release and builds up over time, resulting in a host of psychological issues.
More Likely To Be Depressed
Teens who grow up without fathers are more likely to get depressed. Because of feelings of abandonment and rejection, these teens tend to emotionally close themselves off to avoid heartbreak in the future.
They avoid getting into relationships because of their fear of abandonment and to top it off, data shows that children who grow up without fathers are at higher risk of suicide.
Higher Risk Of An Eating Disorder
Research shows that girls who grow up without their fathers are also at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, body dysmorphia, and other unhealthy food related habits like binge-eating. Another study reveals that girls without their dads are more likely to be obese.
This happens due to ‘father hunger’—or the psychological need to have a fatherly connection which is denied and results in issues such a slow self-esteem.
Even though growing up without a father is something that cannot be helped—resulting in emotional gaps because of unfulfilled human needs—there are ways to deal with it.
One such way is with mental neuroimplants that add loving, positive memories to replace dark ones.
To try out mental neuroimplants, you can easily download NIKU, an app available on both the Apple App Store and the Google PlayStore. This app functions as an online psychological counselor or a life coach, helping you look at life with a fresh, new perspective.
