Examination of father absence among Generation Z

Abstract

The examination of the father absence among Generation Z forms the focus of our study. In the theoretical background of our work, we present the different family types and their characteristics, then after describing the effects of the parents’ joint functioning and the characteristics of upbringing, we discuss the consequences of the presence and absence of a male role model/ father figure for the child, the father’s attitude towards his child and the reasons for the father’s absence. The purpose of our study is to examine the effects of the absence of fathers on the life and personality of Generation Z. Our primary goal is to explore the personality traits of young people growing up without a father, as well as the effects and consequences of father absence. For the purpose of this study we developed an online questionnaire, which – in addition to demographic data – elicited information on the father’s basic characteristics and the respondent’s personality. Our results confirm that the role played by both parents in the family, including the father, is decisive in terms of child care and upbringing, since the child acquires the knowledge, impressions, attitudes and habits that are the basis of their later social integration based on the model mediated by their parents.