Are absent fathers worse for daughters and can our Heavenly Father make up for it?

As we look to Father’s Day, Hannah Wickens comments that if a father does not fulfil his role in caring for his daughter: ‘her core sense of self slowly unravels and self-preservation jostles to the fore, often culminating in defensive behaviour where trust is elusive.’

One of my earliest memories is falling asleep listening to the melodic vibrations of our grand piano as my father played ‘Ballade pour Adeline’, a piece composed by Paul de Senneville for his new-born daughter. This musical ensemble kindled a passion for piano, even though I don’t recall playing alongside my father. Such is the influence of a father upon his daughter.