Lisa O
Being a dad is both a huge blessing and a big responsibility. No one is a perfect dad, and that’s okay. Even great fathers make mistakes sometimes. However, some fathers make choices that seriously harm their children’s well-being. When this happens, it’s very important to make changes. Here are 18 types of men who make terrible fathers.
The Absent Father
When a dad is absent—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually—it creates a gap in his children’s lives that only he can fill. A child whose dad is missing grows up feeling like something’s missing too—and it’s tough to fill that gap. A dad’s presence is like a loudspeaker meant to boost a voice that guides and supports children through everything they go through.
The Abusive Father
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are disturbing events kids might face, like divorce, abuse, or a parent going to jail. Kids with more ACEs often face many health problems as adults. If you’re a dad struggling with substance abuse, seek help right away. If any kind of child abuse is happening in your home, it needs to stop immediately.
The Narcissistic Father
Children raised by a narcissistic dad often experience issues like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, self-doubt, and self-blame during childhood and later in life. They end up mirroring what their father wants and doing everything expected of them. As adults—they might struggle to assert themselves and prioritize others’ needs over their own. This is why narcissistic men make terrible fathers.
The Immature Father
Being immature isn’t just about playing video games or having a messy place. It’s about how a guy deals with life—he shies away from responsibility, seeks instant gratification, and avoids serious conversations. When kids have emotionally immature parents, they might feel like no one sees or hears them. They also struggle to share their feelings completely.
The Addicted Father
Living with addiction can really impact a person, but it also affects their loved ones a lot—especially their kids. Children of dads who drink too much or use drugs often have to deal with tough feelings about their dads. They might even feel like they have to care for their father instead of the other way around. That’s why men who struggle with addiction often aren’t good parents.
The Controlling Father
Controlling fathers try to control almost everything in their child’s life, expect total obedience, and don’t give much privacy. It messes with a child’s feelings and mental health in the long run. Studies show that both kids and adults might feel more anxious, sad, and stressed because of a controlling dad. If they don’t get help—these problems can get even worse as time goes on.
The Demanding Father
Demanding dads push their kids to do their best, often ignoring what the kids really want. Children of demanding fathers might end up being strict parents themselves, without much care for their own kids’ feelings. Sure, your child might not win every game or get into the college you want—but what they might miss out on the most is feeling close to their dad.
The Workaholic Father
Workaholic fathers spend a lot of time working, are very into their jobs, and might even have mental health issues because of it. They often can’t give their kids enough personal or emotional attention. Even if a child has everything they need physically, they might still feel like something’s missing emotionally. And it’s tough for these kids because people might not understand their struggles.
The Overprotective Father
Sure, dads want to keep their kids safe. But sometimes, they go too far and become overly cautious. Kids with overprotective dads might feel like they’re not good enough and have trouble bouncing back from tough times. And when fathers are too cautious—they might raise kids who are unsure of themselves. That’s why being overprotective can make a dad not so great at being a father.
The Passive Father
Some dads don’t like dealing with problems, so they avoid them. They might let their kids do whatever they want or not bother to discipline them. As a result, moms end up doing all the enforcing, and they don’t get to share parenting equally. Children with a father like this might grow up not listening to authority, not knowing how to solve problems, and maybe even becoming passive parents or partners themselves.
The Hypocritical Father
Dads are big examples for their kids, and if they act one way but expect their kids to act differently, it can make it hard for them to believe in their dad. Do you tell your kids to do things you wouldn’t do yourself? It’s important to show your kids they’re worth making sacrifices for. Children with hypocritical fathers might grow up to be parents who put their own needs first—just like their dad did.
The Sexist Father
Studies say that fathers who show a lot of hostile sexism aren’t as caring towards their kids—whether they’re boys or girls. They’re not as warm, don’t spend as much time with their children, don’t pay as much attention to what their kids need, and are super controlling.
The Irresponsible Father
Growing up and being responsible usually happens as you get older or if you really work at it. But some guys just don’t bother to grow up. Fathers who don’t take responsibility for their kids put them in danger. They might not watch out for them when they play or be there for them when they need someone to talk to. This lack of care can hurt kids—both physically and emotionally.
The Macho Father
Fathers who show toxic masculinity might see women as objects, which teaches their sons not to respect women and their daughters to think it’s okay for men to mistreat them. He might also teach boys that it’s not okay to cry—which means they don’t get to show their feelings like they should. This needs to be changed, or the next generation might not know how to care for their families properly.
The Disneyland Father
Meet the Disneyland Dad—he’s like the ultimate playmate for his kids, always spoiling them and being the fun parent. But when he forgets his main job as a responsible parent, things can get messed up. Plus, it puts all the discipline on Mom’s shoulders, which can cause a lot of problems in the family. It’s important to lead responsibly first and then have fun with your kids at the right times.
The Judgmental Father
When dads are very judgmental, their kids can feel really insecure. They might think their dad only loves them if they do everything right. Constant judgment makes kids feel bad about themselves, which can make them lose confidence. They might not even want to try new things because they’re scared of being criticized. All this emotional stress can make it super hard for them to do well in school or make friends.
The Unfaithful Father
When a dad cheats on their partner, it can really affect the kids. They might feel betrayed, abandoned, and confused. It’s tough for them to see their parents fighting—and it makes them feel upset. They might even blame themselves for what happened or have a very hard time trusting people in their own relationships later on.
The Distracted Father
When we get too caught up in all the busy stuff in life, we might end up spending less time with our kids. Dads who are always distracted risk making their kids feel less important than whatever else is grabbing their attention. It’s important to make changes if you need to—give your kids your full attention so they can grow up to be their best.