The impact of absent fathers on the well-being and development of teenage girls: A semi-systematic literature review

Abstract

This article presents a semi-systematic literature review exploring the impact of absent fathers on the well-being and development of teenage girls, guided by resilience theory. The review critically analyzed 43 studies published between 1990 and 2024 across multiple databases using a structured search protocol and inclusion criteria. The semi-systematic approach was chosen for its ability to synthesise diverse empirical and theoretical insights while identifying underexplored areas in existing literature. Resilience theory was employed to move beyond deficit-focused narratives by illuminating the adaptive capacities of teenage girls in contexts of paternal absence. While several well-documented outcomes, such as early sexual activity, low self-esteem, and mental health challenges, were confirmed, this review uncovers novel findings, including the nuanced role of extended families and community-based social fathers in African settings as protective buffers. The study also highlights how girls’ navigation of cultural norms, kinship roles, and informal support networks contributes to emotional resilience and developmental continuity. These culturally embedded adaptation strategies are underreported in existing literature. The review concludes by recommending the development of localized interventions and policies that recognize context-specific expressions of resilience. By foregrounding the lived realities of teenage girls in under-researched regions, this review contributes original insights into gendered vulnerabilities and strengths in father-absent households.

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