The Absent Father Effect on Daughters

The Absent Father Effect on Daughters by Susan E. Schwartz delves deep into the psychological and emotional impact of fathers who are physically absent, emotionally distant, or inadequate. Using a framework rooted in Jungian analytical psychology, Schwartz uncovers how a daughter’s identity, voice, and personality are shaped—and sometimes distorted—by the scars of paternal absence.

Through clinical case studies, dream analysis, fairy tales, and literary references, she explores themes of betrayal, idealization, abandonment, and renewal. Schwartz invites readers to chart a path toward healing by acknowledging the wound, deconstructing illusions, and reconstructing authentic selfhood beyond the shadow of the absent father. The book is both scholarly and deeply human, offering insight and hope to daughters, therapists, and readers seeking understanding of this complex relational dynamic.