ADDRESSING DADDY ISSUES IN MEN AND ITS SYMPTOMS

In this blog, I address a unique perspective that has been noticed i.e. “daddy issues in men”. I believe society and the people overall have been focussing so much on motherhood and parenting as a whole that they have ignored something that needed much attention as well. Daddy issues in men or father issues in men are the root cause of many trauma cycles and dysfunctional behaviours among children.

I will be addressing thoroughly everything related to daddy issues in men along with the symptoms. I will also highlight the role of fathers in nurturing healthy minds and personalities.

WHAT DOES HAVING DADDY ISSUES MEAN?

Daddy issues is a non-clinical term. In simple words, it means the absence of fatherly or warm relations with your father. Lacking the father-child bond is another meaning of daddy issues in me. If you ask what are the signs of daddy issues in a man?

I would reply that the manifestation of certain behavior in the child represents the signs and symptoms of daddy issues. These include:

1. Emotional or physical abuse
2. Neglect
3. Absenteeism
4. Overbearing control

We should not forget that “childhood trauma” is also somehow associated with daddy issues in men. The trickle-down effect might continue the cycle resulting in dysfunctional behavior in children.

Manifestations in Young Men

I am a personal observer of the manifestations of daddy issues in men, especially among young men. I remember a family used to love at rent at my home a few years back. The guy used to treat his wife really bad. Both physical and emotional abuse that too in front of kids was a norm. Later I came to know that the guy’s father used to do the same in front of him.

This is what I am trying to explain

Young men are vulnerable to repeating the same behaviour they have grown up watching their fathers do. The following issues further stem from this dysfunctional behaviour:

• Emotional Suppression: Men may bottle up their emotions, leading to eventual outbursts due to a lack of healthy emotional expression.
  
• Fear of Intimacy: Struggles with forming close relationships, either by being overly stoic or excessively dependent.
• Emasculation: A diminished sense of masculinity, often resulting from domineering fathers who instil fear to maintain control.

Societal Pressures

Being a man in this competitive age is not easy. Especially because of the immense advocacy for women’s empowerment and women’s rights.

Today’s young men face numerous challenges: rising unemployment, heightened focus on women’s empowerment, and societal expectations that discourage emotional vulnerability. These pressures can contribute to mental health issues, including depression and suicidal tendencies. Some may turn to substance abuse, fraud, violence, or other detrimental behaviours as coping mechanisms.

The Role of Fathers

It is very difficult to realize and fulfil your responsibilities in any role. Be it a father or a mother you have to realize that your actions have a profound impact on your kids. If you want to break this cycle of daddy issues in men then you have to:

• Be Present: Offer genuine, authentic engagement.
• Provide Balanced Perspectives: Share realistic views on life, acknowledging its complexities.
• Model Respectful Behavior: Demonstrate care and respect within the family, setting a positive example.

MY TWO CENTS

Parenting has become a huge challenge for both fathers and mothers. Both are equally responsible for nurturing happy and healthy minds. Now is the time to unlearn outdated parenting methods. This is the best time to break old cycles and embrace new approaches.

We need emotionally available fathers that encourage open communication and emotional support. Only fathers have the capability to fill a unique void. If we want young men who are well-balanced individuals then we have to work for the eradication of daddy issues in men.

For a deeper understanding, you might find this discussion insightful: