My Essential Question is:

How does the absence of a father have a more negative effect on girls than it does boys?

The most authoritative source I found was an article written by the National Health Society called, "Absent Fathers linked to depression risk in girls." The article covered a study that was done to observe the effects absent fathers have on children based on their gender. This study was reliable because of the long period of time that it was conducted over. This allowed researchers to not only look at the immediate results, but also the long- term ones. Although no author was given for this source, it provided specific data that proves, contrary to popular belief, that girls are more negatively impacted by the absence of their father than boys.

Girls that had absent fathers during their childhood are 53% more likely to experience depression than girls who grew up with fathers.

However, guys with absent fathers during their childhood are no more likely to experience depression, than boys who did have fathers present in their childhood.

The article quotes, "The researchers concluded that 'Father absence in early childhood increases risk for adolescent depressive symptoms, particularly in girls."

The article explained, “Study shows girls with absent fathers more likely to develop depression."

The article concludes in summarizing the study stating, "This large prospective cohort study suggests that there is a link between a father’s absence during the first few years of life and a girl’s risk of experiencing depressive symptoms."

That final quote, along with the data, provides a direct link between the absence of fathers during a girl's early childhood years and her depression.

This is my works cited page for my presentation!