A son needs a father. A daughter needs a mother. Not symbolically, not “someone who replaces”, but a concrete, real example of their gender.
A father shows his son what it means to be a man – through his behavior, choices, attitude towards himself, others, and responsibility in life. From his father, a son learns not only how to do things, but also to understand who he is. A mother cannot give him that. She is simply not a man.
A daughter looks to her mother. That is where she learns to be a woman – by seeing how her mother solves problems, how she presents herself, how she forms relationships. A father cannot replace that. He can love and care, but he is not a woman and never will be.
When this simple system breaks down, the child is left without a road map. A son without a father will find it harder to understand his role. A daughter without a mother will find it harder to understand hers. And yes, they can grow up and find their place. But that doesn’t mean everything is fine. It’s trauma, not the norm.
It’s not about which parent is “better.” It’s about the fact that each gender has its own contribution that the other cannot replace. And if this is ignored, the consequences are clear – insecure, confused adults who have difficulty forming relationships, accepting themselves, and acting responsibly.
This is not about exceptions. This is about a pattern.