Booth Id:
BEHA031
Category:
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Year:
2022
Finalist Names:
Fish, Katie (School: Salem High School)
Abstract:
“Studies have shown that children with absent fathers are at a higher risk of having behavioral problems, 4 times more likely to live in poverty, 2 times more likely to never graduate high school, 7 times high risk of teen pregnancy, more vulnerable to abuse, and 2 times as likely to become obese.” from fatherhood.org/fatherless-absence-statistics. Over 24 million children do not live with their biological father and 85% of children that show behavior issues come from fatherless homes. The purpose of this project was to look into the psychological effects that an absent father has on high school students. A Google Form with questions about the participant's parents’ relationship, self esteem, grade average, addiction problems, age, gender, and their views on other people’s relationships was sent out. Out of the 140 responses, 78 supported the main idea that kids who grow up without a dad find themselves suffering from addiction problems, low self esteem, making bad grades, and envying others’ relationships. The data also showed that an absent father negatively affects girls more so than boys. It was also found that the kids that have a father were more likely to not suffer from addiction problems and to make all A’s in school. From this research data I designed an interactive app for a smart watch to help kids cope.
Awards Won:
Missouri University of Science and Technology: $500 tuition scholarship (nonrenewable)
Missouri University of Science and Technology: $575 Missouri S&
T summer camp scholarship