Better than My Father or Better than His Absence: Understanding How Variation in Patterns of Absence Influence Intentions for Fatherhood

Abstract Previous research and policy implementation on absentee fatherhood maintains an overly narrow conception of absence based solely on residency. This paper argues that absence is a variegated experience for many that is inadequately captured through the resident/non-resident binary. Qualitative interviews with 26 men on their experiences growing up with non-residential fathers revealed four ideal-typical patterns of residential absence. The four ideal-types of absence are Consistent , Inconsistent , Extended, and Absolute. This research demonstrates how these four types of absence are each uniquely consequential for how these men make sense of their fathers and conceptualize fatherhood. The paper concludes with policy and research considerations for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.