A father’s role is crucial in a child’s growth, especially during the teenage years. Their involvement is essential in preparing the child’s mental state to foster emotional stability.
Unfortunately, not all children have a positive father figure in their lives. This condition is often referred to as “fatherlessness.” So, how can a child recover from this situation from a psychological perspective?
Dr. Diana Setiyawati, an expert from the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, stated that the absence of a father figure in the family significantly impacts a child’s mental health development.
According to Dr. Setiyawati, fatherless children are not in the same situation as those who have lost their fathers due to death.
Fatherlessness refers to a father figure who is absent from the child’s life, even though the father is still alive and well.
In general, a father’s absence can affect a child’s self-confidence and thinking patterns, especially how they perceive themselves.
“What often happens due to the father’s absence from the family is self-doubt and low self-esteem, causing children to feel empty inside,” Dr. Setiyawati said during the Safari in Ramadan event at the UGM Campus Mosque titled “Restoring the Mental Health of Fatherless Children,” last Thursday (Mar. 20).
Dr. Setiyawati explained that a father who is absent from family life, even during pregnancy, can affect the baby-to-be.
She elaborated that when a mother experiences stress, especially due to the lack of a father’s involvement during pregnancy, the stress hormone cortisol increases.
This hormone is corrosive and can potentially damage the fetus’s brain system.
“The result is that the child’s learning capacity is reduced due to changes in the amygdala part of the brain,” Dr. Setiyawati explained.
Moreover, the loss of a father’s role can lead to underdeveloped self-esteem in children. They may struggle with self-worth and emotional regulation.
The expert also pointed out that children without a father figure are more vulnerable to becoming victims of sexual violence.
“Without a father figure to lean on, they may seek love and affection from others who might be unsafe and pose a danger to them,” she added.
Dr. Setiyawati mentioned that a father’s involvement in a child’s activities can stimulate cognitive development from birth through to adulthood.
“A present father figure during this stage will help the child develop broad learning capacities,” she said.
Additionally, a father’s involvement also influences the development of the prefrontal cortex.
If this cortex does not develop properly, it can affect decision-making and cause children to become egocentric and perfectionistic.
Dr. Setiyawati further shared tips on how to ‘heal’ children who have lost their father figure. She recommended building relationships with individuals from secure families, whether within the family, friends, or partners.
“In this case, someone with stable emotions can help fatherless children strengthen their resilience,” she explained.
Unconditional love and care from close individuals can foster confidence and self-worth in fatherless children.
“They need to be with people who reassure them that they are valuable and deserve to be loved,” Dr. Setiyawati concluded.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Image: Freepik