Paternal Investment Theory

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Ellis (2004) conducted a cross-cultural study posits paternal investment theory in which the central role for the regulating the timing of pubertal development in adolescent daughters is dependent on and affected by paternal involvement. This hypothesis is aligned with psychosocial acceleration theory based on the fundament of developmental experiences and psychosocial cues sensitive to the father’s role in the daughters’ reproductive strategies. Paternal involvement and quality is detected and encoded internally in daughters using the information for calibrating the development of neurophysiological system that is connected in timing the pubertal maturation and the related motivational systems responsible for early onset of sexual behavior …show more content…
Carlson (2006) records that time spent together is a main opportunity to demonstrate support, guidance, love, consistent discipline and appropriate monitoring and fun for the child. The emotional and practical support in shared activities and father-child closeness is beneficial to the child’s socio-behavioral outcomes (Carlson, 2006). Father absence is experienced by daughters as a sad and traumatic aspect that shadows not just childhood but is the cause of ongoing emotional distress (East et al., 2007). Fathers not involved in their children’s lives expose the children to diminished self-concept, episodes of self-loathing and struggling with emotions (Kruk, 2012). In a study with nine women, experiencing father absence as a result of family breakdown, East et al., (2007) notes the recollection of feelings of abandonment, hurt, anger, being deceived and resentment. Feelings of betrayal lasting past the immediate period of separation to later in life are a source of hurt and resentful attitude towards men. Due to perceived disinterest from their father reinforced by irregular contact, these women developed disrespect for their father and viewed them as strangers. Because of distrust, the women reported difficulties constructing stable relationship with men as well as craving attention for male affection, making them vulnerable to exploitation (East et al., 2007). Kimball reflects on her troubled feelings about her