This book is for those who have longed for their father's appreciation, love, closeness, and friendship. This book is about a syndrome many suffer whenever their father is absent, either physically, emotionally or psychologically. The syndrome includes the emptiness we feel when our relationship with our father ends, and we become a fatherless child. This book is for those who hear the echoes of their lost father from a hole in their heart. It is about coming face to face with our fathers in a new way that helps us become a better person for our children. By learning about the impact of a father's positive presence, we can become that person, our children need for their growth and fulfillment. When the father in the family is absent (literally or figuratively), the child feels the loss in many ways and often acts out. However, there are ways to repair this broken bond. Around the world, there is renewed interest in the effects of a father's absence. Many recent studies show the impact of absent fathers on children. Certain environmental and genetic influences seem to contribute to this issue. The National Fatherhood Initiative in the United States has published detailed descriptions of the positive effects of paternal involvement. I believe the National Fatherhood Initiative is a strong organization that provides useful resource materials. Additionally, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) offers a well-resourced list of the many negative effects of father absence during pregnancy and delivery times. Children with "hands-on" fathers (involved fathers) are much less likely to use drugs or engage in theft or truancy. Children who have experienced father's absence are likely to have learning problems, particularly in math and science. Much more can be learned from this audio book and will heal painful fatherlessness. Time to face it Boldly.
