131 SelfWork: When Your Dad Isn’t A Dad. The Effects of Father Hunger

Father hunger… when your dad isn’t or wasn’t available or connected with you either due to divorce, death or disinterest — causes many problems for a child and the family as a whole. But the numbers are staggering of how many homes are without dads. There are so many engaged dads out there, but when they’re not, the impact is staggering. I’ll offer what research statistics show and go into the specifics of the problems. And like other episodes, we’ll go into how you can heal, or “what you can do about it” — what you can do if your biological father isn’t or wasn’t a part of your life. This episode was requested from a listener and I thought it was a much needed topic to discuss. Fathers may not know just how important they are.
The listener email: Is from a guy who’s in a committed relationship with a partner who’s out-of-state and increasingly depressed – while trying to keep focused on his own career, yet struggling with worry.
Important Links:
Beginnings of the term “father hunger”
Epigenetics research on what dad passes on through his sperm
Dr. Jed Diamond’s website Men Alive
Book Fatherless Daughters
Books I Don’t Want To Talk About It and Daring Greatly
You can hear more about family relationships and many other topics by listening to Dr. Margaret’s new podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Subscribe to this website and receive her weekly blog posts and podcasts!
If you’d like to join my FaceBook closed group, then click here and answer the membership questions! Welcome!
My new book entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression has arrived and you can order here! Its message is specifically for those with a struggle with strong perfectionism which acts to mask underlying emotional pain. But the many self-help techniques described can be used by everyone who chooses to begin to address emotions long hidden away that are clouding and sabotaging your current life.
And there’s a new way to send me a message! You can record by clicking below and ask your question or make a comment. You’ll have 90 seconds to do so and that time goes quickly. By recording, you’re giving SelfWork (and me) permission to use your voice on the podcast. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!