Parental Absence
- mwamadi26
- Mar 26, 2021
- 4 min read
The bond between mother, father and child is instrumental for healthy development in early life and subsequent adulthood.
Bryden and Dorcas, 2012:12, UNICEF (2013) state that the early years of life are crucial not only for individual health and physical development but also for cognitive and social emotional development. Events in the first few years of life are formative and play a vital role in building human capital.
Studies on attachment propounded by Bowlby and Ainsworth reveal how absence of the mother leads to separation anxiety and distress in infants. Harlow’s work on maternal deprivation and social isolation demonstrates that early attachments are also as a result of receiving comfort and care from a caregiver than only the provision of food. Such studies aid us in understanding the pivotal role of parents and early attachments in the physical and mental development of children.
Points to Note:
1. Ages were generalized from infanthood to teenage hood based on the reviewed studies.
2. This a synthesis of major key points from the parental absence phenomenon.
WHAT IS PARENTAL ABSENCE?
It is the temporary or extended absence of a parent(s). This can have a substantial effect on the psychology of the child depending for example the age at their separation and the length of the time involved.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR PARENTAL ABSENCE?
Divorce
Legal separation
Death
Imprisonment
Migration
Institutionalization
Alcohol/Drug dependence.
EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ABSENTEEISM.
*Child development does not occur in a vacuum as such parental absence should not be looked as the start and end of it.
Problems likely to be encountered.
Previous research has suggested that long term separation from parent(s) has the following adverse effects: Depression, loneliness, anxiety, behavioural problems at school, low academic achievement, lack of self-esteem, truancy and stealing.
Depression – males and females separated from parents score higher on a measure of depression than those raised in continuously intact families.
Brain development – one of the biggest threats to child brain development is parental absence. This is because children are not getting emotional responses they need or the cognitive stimulation they need.
Associated trauma can manifest later in life as adults who have trouble expressing emotions, difficulties relating to others and anxiety.
Child victimization from parent/guardian(s) (physical assault, sexual victimization) leading to self-esteem issues.
BEHAVIOURAL REACTIONS
Parental absence is associated with early uptake of risky behaviours.
Single Parent Statistics form OCHS Center Gang Study reveal that kids in gangs more likely to come from single parent homes.
In a UK based study, there was correlation between parental absence and early childhood onset of smoking and alcohol consumption before adolescence. As such, there is an increased risk of disease such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease due to initiation at an early age.
There is also a raised risk of nicotine and alcohol dependence when the substances are consumed at and early age.
Delinquency appears to be much more common among youths from houses which parents have separated/divorced than those from houses in which a parent has died suggesting that parental conflict may be the key in causing delinquency.
A study on behavioural reactions of children to parental absence due to imprisonment showed that the sex of the absent parent was correlated to the behaviour manifested. Absence of father characterized with “actin out” behaviour” and absence of mother with “acting in” behaviour.
AO = performance of an action considered bad/anti-social. The action performed is destructive to self or to others.
AI = more self-destructive than outwardly destructive.
Lack of fatherly role to the male children results in absence of role model to help model behaviours in line with societal expectation especially in areas with prevalence of high GBV incidents resulting in perpetuation patterns of maladaptive behaviour.
Some children can develop increased independence and a stronger sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. One can be very determined, driven and push themselves to become successful, to prove themselves despite the circumstances dealt in life.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO CUSHION EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ABSENCE
Children who experience parental absence should be supported early in life to prevent smoking and alcohol initiation.
Children should be taught coping skills by parents prone to be absent.
Use of technologies such as Skype, FaceTime, Zoom to alleviate anxiousness. These can be scheduled or form some ritual to keep the bond strong.
Keep the absent parent in your routines. e.g., songs that you listen to together or books you read together, ensure that these things continue throughout the time they are away to help the child keep the absent parent in mind.
Lastly, love is not a luxury but a gateway to our very survival and sanity.
Sources
Gaydosh, L. Childhood Risk of Parental Absence in Tanzania. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5434424/
Zhang, H., Behrman, JR., Wei, X,, Zhang, J., Fan SC. Does Parental Absence Reduce Cognitive Achievements? Evidence from rural China. Journal of Development Economics Volume 111, November 2014, 181-195.
Jampaklay, A., Richter, K., Frangcholangtip, K., Nanthamongkolchai. The Impact of Parental Absence on Early Childhood Development in the Context of Thailand. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal 2018. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0117196818767439
Lacey, RE., Zilanawala, A., Webb, E., Abell, J., & Bell, S. Parental Absence in Early Childhood and Onset of Smoking and Alcoholic Consumption Before Adolescence. BMJ Journals Volume 103, Issue 7.
Fritsch, TA., & Burkhead, JD. Behavioural; Reactions of Children to Parental Absence due to Imprisonment. National Council of Family Relations Volume 30, No. 1 Jan, 1981, 83-88.
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