The Helper-Therapy Principle as it Applies to Men who had Absentee Fathers

Abstract

Attention has often been focused on helping children of absent fathers without considering their needs in adulthood. The present study focused on volunteer big brothers whose own fathers had been absent in their childhood. It hypothesized that a relationship with a child of similar background could also aid the helper by providing him with the opportunity to reevaluate childhood memories and fill childhood deficits. An instrument was developed to measure the value of these processes to big brothers and applied to big brothers at two agencies. Differences were. found between men whose fathers had been absent and those whose fathers had not. Implications for work in social services with volunteer men who had absentee fathers are discussed.