Where have all the fathers gone?

In an age where single motherhood is an increasingly available option, it’s important to consider what is lost by removing fathers from the family

August 1, 2007 | by Kate Fraher , Researcher, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada
PDF:  Where have all the fathers gone?

Endnotes

  1. The Evening Standard (2007, August 1) Parents may be forced to tell the truth on children conceived from donors. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=472181&in_page_id=1770
  2. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990, November 1) Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/Ukpga_19900037_en_2.htm#mdiv28
    BBC News (2004, January 21) IVF ‘father figure’ law attacked: Women should get IVF treatment without having to fulfil a legal requirement that the child has a father figure, says the UK’s fertility regulator. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3416055.stm
  3. The Guardian (2007, May 17) Q & A: The human tissue and embryo bill: David Batty explains the developments in embryo research proposed by the new bill. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://society.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329870063-105965,00.html
  4. The Globe & Mail (2007, July 31) The absence of fathers. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/article792337.ece
  5. For a review of the literature on fathers’ influences on child development see Lewis, C. & Lamb, M.E. (2003). Fathers’ influences on children’s development: The evidence from two-parent families. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 18(2): 211-228.
  6. Civitas: The Institute for the Study of Civil Society. How do fathers fit in? Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.civitas.org.uk/hwu/FatherFactsheet.pdf
  7. Paquette, D. (2004). Theorizing the father-child relationship: Mechanisms and developmental outcomes. Human Development, 47:199.
  8. McElwain et al. (2003, June). Differentiating among insecure mother-infant attachment classifications: A focus on child-friend interaction and exploration during solitary play at 36 months. Attachment & Human Development, 5(2): 137-138.
  9. Goldberg, S. (2004, November 1). Attachment part three: Attachment across the life span. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/Series/Attachment/Pages/Attachment-Part-Three-Attachment-across-the-life-span.aspx
  10. Tamis-LeMonda, C.S. (2004). Conceptualizing fathers’ roles: Playmates and more. Human Development, 47:221.
  11. Lewis, C. & Lamb, M.E. (2003). Fathers’ influences on children’s development: The evidence from two-parent families. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 18(2): 213 AND Ricaud-Droisy, H. & Zaouche-Gaudron, C. (2003). Interpersonal conflict resolution strategies in children : A father-child co-construction. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 18(2): 160 AND Shears, J. & Robinson, J. (2005). Fathering attitudes and practices: Influences on children’s development. Child Care in Practice, 11(1): 64.
  12. Paquette, 203.
  13. Ricaud-Droisy & Zaouche-Gaudron, 160.
  14. Child Trends. (1999, May). Research Brief: What do fathers contribute to children’s well-being? Retrieved August 1, 2007 from http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-1999_05_01_RB_FatherContribute.pdf
  15. Paquette, p. 193.
  16. Ibid., 212.
  17. Lewis & Lamb, 211.