the book

description | first chapter | praise | buy the book

Filling the Void Left by Absent Fathers

New book highlights the side effects of growing up fatherless- and how men can learn to overcome them.

Bring up the topic of growing up fatherless, and men who are normally reserved will begin to talk-a lot. That's because about 1 in 4 boys grew up with a single mother. And nearly half of all men were children of a divorce-where the father may or may not have been present.

Growing up without a father is the subject of a new book by Byron Ricks, MA, a professional speaker and facilitator who is passionate about helping men understand the consequences of having or being an absent father. In his new book, Searching for Dad (Brown Books, 2008), Ricks describes his personal experiences and the challenges he faced growing up fatherless. From lessons learned, he offers practical advice on how to identify issues associated with fatherless-ness and how to overcome them.

Readers learn:

• Nine side effects of growing up fatherless
• The unique elements of male bonding-and why boys need it
• The far-reaching effects of Angry Mama dramas
• Signs of "father alienation" behavior in boys and men
• How to cope with anger at your father-and get to forgiveness
• The impact of an absent father on a young man's earning power, career, and money management
• How to rebuild self-respect, self-confidence, and a strong sense of identity

Ricks maintains that the most powerful distinction between being a mature man and a childish male is that men do the right thing by their children. They claim their children and take care of them to the best of their abilities, even in the face of direct opposition. His own arduous but ultimately successful journey from boyhood to manhood provides a model not only for fatherless sons, but also for absentee fathers and single mothers who are trying to do what is best for their sons.