What is the unique and direct effect of an uninvolved father on his son\u27s self-concept as an adult man? A dialogue between Samuel Osherson\u27s \u27finding our fathers,\u27 social scientists and Christian theology

Though trends are slowly changing, fathers in our society continue to be considerably less involved than mothers in the care and nurturing of their children. Samuel Osherson\u27s theory about the negative effect of father uninvolvement on the self-concept of sons once they become adult men is used as a starting point for discussion between the social sciences and Christianity. The discussion is limited to the effect on gender role identity and self-esteem, two elements of self—concept which can be isolated in Osherson\u27s publication Finding Our Fathers. With a few exceptions, research and scholarly writing in the field of social science is found to support Osherson\u27s theory, but no empirical validation can be found. Christian scripture and theology is found to be silent on the issue. Though Osherson\u27s theory remains unproven, a valuable outcome of this discussion is generated by applying Osherson\u27s theory to the Christian context. It. is proposed that father uninvolvement might have an important effect on a Christian adult son\u27s relationship with God, his style of love, his motivation for ministry, and his self-esteem as a Christian man