Growing Up Without Your Parents: What Are The Consequences? – Being Parents

In fact, many children grow up without a parent. Although there are several factors that have the same repercussions as abandonment, in the majority of cases, children suffer from the absence of their parents during their childhood.

The consequences for children who grow up far from their parents

If the child perceives the abandonment of one of his parents, he may present certain disorders during his growth. Here are some examples :

Self-deprecation

Children who grow up away from their parents during school time show a lack of self-confidence. It is during this stage that children become aware of the parental figure and that they perceive its absence. However, they do not have the maturity to understand the why of this harsh reality.

Thus, they unconsciously seek a father figure in another person. It could be the grandfather, an uncle or some important person with whom they will bond.

Behavior problems

In general, children who grow up away from their parents exhibit rebellious behavior. They find it difficult to play by the rules and behave properly with their classmates and teachers. They can also be emotionally unstable.

Poor academic performance

Perhaps it is the lack of attention on the part of the father to the child that affects him during his school activities. They show a lack of concentration, they have little interest in school tasks and they lack motivation.

A lack of identity

The child develops physically and emotionally within his family circle. Therefore, when the father or mother is absent, the child cannot identify with his family circle and does not feel safe. It is for this reason that he finds it difficult to establish and maintain relations of conviviality in society.

A child who lives far from their parents can also develop other disorders such as anxiety, anger and feelings of guilt. Additionally, he may experience feelings of abandonment, isolation, depression, and difficulty when faced with a stressful situation. Feelings of loneliness and abandonment can overwhelm him.

The conflicts faced by children who suffer from the absence of their parents can persist throughout their lives. As a result, a vicious circle is created and he too can abandon his children when he is an adult. Likewise, these children are more inclined to consume harmful substances from a young age.

Are children who grow up without a father figure different?

Although it depends on each particular case, children who can rely on their parents during their childhood are more stable. They fare better than those who don’t have the opportunity to have a figure to lean on, in this case, a father figure.

Nevertheless, some single mothers raise their children alone and provide them with everything they need. These children manage to develop normally in society.

Why can a parent be absent?

In each family, the reason a parent is absent may be different. In some cases, the death of the father can leave a child alone, as can illness, a job away from the family home, or a divorce. Another very common problem in some families which leads to the absence of the father is the abuse of illicit substances.

On the other hand, it is also possible that two parents who are raising their children together may be emotionally absent. This is the case for parents who do not take on the role of guide or guide and who do not show stability or security to the child.

In general, it is the parents who leave for work very early and come home late at night. They are unaware of the emotional damage they can cause to the child. And since they are not present in the various developmental processes of the child, they do not strengthen their emotional bond which is necessary for the child to feel loved.

How to avoid the feeling of abandonment?

So that children do not have the after-effects of growing up far from their parents, it is essential that they can count on the support of their families. They need an atmosphere of reassurance and trust so that they can feel valued.

Although the father figure cannot be replaced, the child can find a model that represents him. It could be a grandfather, an uncle or some other important person close to him. Thus, the child will not feel abandoned and he will be able to develop with adequate self-esteem.

For children, growing up far from their parents can be devastating. Therefore, it is important to help them avoid this feeling of abandonment and frustration.