15 Things That Happen When You Grow Up Without a Father

There are more than 15 things that happen when you grow up without a father. These are just a few that are noticeable.

You want to keep your autonomy in a relationship

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You want someone to complement you, not complete you. Keeping hold of who you are is important as your identity was hard-won over the years.

You find the leadership role feels natural

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Without a male role model in the house, you had to take charge of that aspect of your life. Even with a strong mother, you had to find a way to push forward and lead others at times.

You don’t open up easily

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Opening up all the way means showing others your vulnerabilities, which is not something you do with everyone. Guarding yourself means safety but also a way to miss out on important connections.

You adapt well to change

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You know what it’s like to change things up when needed. With the absence you’ve dealt with in life, it comes naturally.

Making strong connections is important

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You aren’t up for the chitchat and small talk. If a person wants to form a relationship with you, it needs to last and be worthwhile.

You’re not a person to take the word of another lightly

Those who grew up without a father know what it’s like to feel the lack of commitment from others. This is why your standards are typically higher than a lot of people.

You’re stubborn and self-sufficient

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You don’t like leaning on others that often, even though this is important. After living without a father for so long, you know how to sort out your own stuff.

You’re good at reading people

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Living without a father meant learning how to read others through trial and error. But after so many years, you’ve learned the difference between one facial tic and another.

Your emotional strength is incredible

You’re not emotionally bulletproof, but you’re stronger than others. Living without a father helped you to guard your feelings and avoid many situations that might have broken you.

You don’t get along well with authority

A life without a father to show you right and wrong hasn’t endeared you to authority in a big way. You might accept them or buck against them, it’s all a matter of how you’re feeling that day.

People think you’re wise beyond your years

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This is because you had to grow up a little quicker than others. In some ways this readies you for the world quicker and more efficiently. In others, it’s a weight on your shoulders that robs you of part of your childhood.

You’re a driven person

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You’ve spent your life making sure people see you. That nod of approval is important even if you don’t express the need for it. But it doesn’t fill the emptiness within if you don’t deal with that first.

You’re not a huge fan of commitment

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After all, one of the most important commitments in your life was broken early on, so trusting others to keep their word is tough. You don’t dive into a relationship too deep too fast, since that way lies trouble.

You’re resilient

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Life has knocked you down a couple of times but never for the long count. One thing you’ve learned to do in your life is to get back up and keep moving forward.

You’re reliable

You’ve learned how to take control of a situation on your own and get things done. No matter what life decides to throw at you, the fact is that you’ve learned how to deal with it.