Rating: 
Summary: I Never Thought...
Review: I didn't give as much thought as I should have about growing up without a father or reliable father figure. Yet while reading this book, I saw many of my realities on the pages. Regardless of a societies cultural practices, every adult and child has a role to play and when it is compromised or ignored, the social structure falters. That's what Barras was talking about. Every fatherless woman won't have the same experiences, but most must admit that their view of the world is markedly different from women who grew up with positive influences from both parents regardless of their marital status. Clearly some of us adapt better than others, but Barras's theory has merrit.
Rating:
Summary: Speechless
Review: I have to admit I stumbled upon this book by accident. I grew up in a traditional family in a upper middle class area. I'm trying to do the same for my daughter (4 years old). Nice neighborhood, private school. I don't drive a car as nice as I'd like but I (thought) I made sure to provide everything a 4 year old needs. The difference is that she has little to no contact with her dad and I am still single.WOW this book described so many characteristics I that are already prevalent in such a young girl. I know she would like to have her dad but I did not realize the extent of the issues that fatherlessness brings on. I now have a new understanding of her life and this book was a tremendous eye opener! Trying to work it out in Northern VA lwilliams1922@yahoo.com
Rating: 
Summary: A Misguided Focus for an Otherwise Necessary Topic
Review: I read "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl : The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women" by Jonetta Rose Barras because I was excited that the African American community finally acknowledged the impact of fatherlessness on African American women. However, I was disheartened while reading it in that Ms. Barras exposed such a hurtful part of herself only to lapse back into the verbal woman-bashing that plagues so many books that effect how we look at ourselves as a community. A deeper issue may not be her father's absence, but her demons with her own mother and the feelings of betrayal at her mother's hands. I don't feel that the Women's Movement of the 60's & 70's pushed her father out of her home, and she has a terribly difficult time acknowledging *everyone's* responsibility in a frustrating situation --as an individual and as a part of a community. A little more even handedness and less venomous finger pointing may actually allow us to look closer at what the *real* problems are in our community. Only then can we *truly* work together and stop bashing the increasing numbers of single, women-headed homes that many of us were raised in.
Rating:
Summary: A Misguided Focus for an Otherwise Necessary Topic
Review: I read "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl : The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women" by Jonetta Rose Barras because I was excited that the African American community finally acknowledged the impact of fatherlessness on African American women. However, I was disheartened while reading it in that Ms. Barras exposed such a hurtful part of herself only to lapse back into the verbal woman-bashing that plagues so many books that effect how we look at ourselves as a community. A deeper issue may not be her father's absence, but her demons with her own mother and the feelings of betrayal at her mother's hands. I don't feel that the Women's Movement of the 60's & 70's pushed her father out of her home, and she has a terribly difficult time acknowledging *everyone's* responsibility in a frustrating situation --as an individual and as a part of a community. A little more even handedness and less venomous finger pointing may actually allow us to look closer at what the *real* problems are in our community. Only then can we *truly* work together and stop bashing the increasing numbers of single, women-headed homes that many of us were raised in.
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Jonetta
Review: I would like to re-iterate what a joy and a healing it has been for me reading "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl" by Jonetta Rose Barras. This book has literally captured my insecurities, made me admit to them, look deep into myself about where they came from, and encouraged me to know that I can come from it all and be a complete woman. I would like to encourage anyone to read it, even if you grew up with your father, because we need to know how to edify our sisters and provide that understanding for that sister that may not have had it as well as you have. I'm already thinking about starting a group in my church for women my age, who may be going through these situations and suffering silently because they feel no one understands. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I have said enough. GOD BLESS, Tamara
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Jonetta
Review: I would like to re-iterate what a joy and a healing it has been for me reading "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl" by Jonetta Rose Barras. This book has literally captured my insecurities, made me admit to them, look deep into myself about where they came from, and encouraged me to know that I can come from it all and be a complete woman. I would like to encourage anyone to read it, even if you grew up with your father, because we need to know how to edify our sisters and provide that understanding for that sister that may not have had it as well as you have. I'm already thinking about starting a group in my church for women my age, who may be going through these situations and suffering silently because they feel no one understands. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I have said enough. GOD BLESS, Tamara
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Jonetta
Review: I would like to re-iterate what a joy and a healing it has been for me reading "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl" by Jonetta Rose Barras. This book has literally captured my insecurities, made me admit to them, look deep into myself about where they came from, and encouraged me to know that I can come from it all and be a complete woman. I would like to encourage anyone to read it, even if you grew up with your father, because we need to know how to edify our sisters and provide that understanding for that sister that may not have had it as well as you have. I'm already thinking about starting a group in my church for women my age, who may be going through these situations and suffering silently because they feel no one understands. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I have said enough. GOD BLESS, Tamara
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Jonetta
Review: I would like to say what a joy and a healing it has been for me reading "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl" (The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women) by Jonetta Rose Barras. I have read it but constantly go back to it since I finished it. This book has literally captured my insecurities, made me admit to them, look deep into myself about where they came from, and encouraged me to know that can come from it all and be a complete woman. I would encourage anyone to read it, even if you grew up with your father, because we need to know how to edify our sisters and provide that understanding for that siter that may not have had it as well as you have. I'm already thinking about starting a group in my church for women my age, who may be going through these situations and suffering silently because they feel no one understands. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I think i have said enough. GOD BLESS
Rating: 
Summary: Necessary dialogue that has been ignored for too long
Review: Jonetta Rose Barras identifies the fatherless syndrome of feeling unloved, unlovable and unable to love in a healthy man and woman relationship. The effects of growing up without a father are pointed out page after page. The healing process is somewhat less visible, but the author makes it clear that identifying the syndrome is half the battle.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks for the lightbulb moments!
Review: Thanks to the author for taking a stab at such a complex, mult-layered issue facing African American women. Finally, I can identify and name the numerous plagues that have colored phases of my life. She shared such private information in a candid and "real" manner. It was so uplifting to read her words. They resonated in me. Her writing style was clear, concise and robust. In addition, there were aspects that served as cathartic venues for emotional release. I cried while reading the symptoms of fatherlessness and can now revel in the "Fatherless Woman Syndrome". It has become part of a personal mantra because as the author shared, the feelings of rejection, abandonment, depression and anger tend to be repressed over long periods of time. Thanks to her noted testimonies, I can embrace the pain that I once denied and ignored. The only criticism that I can offer is that the book does not provide specific steps for healing and lacks a description of what the healing "looks" like in individuals that have done the emotional work. Specifically, most of the book contained descriptions of women with time-sensitive interactions with their fathers. I struggled with this because the text excluded women that have NEVER had any contact with their biological or otherwise fathers. I am in this category and would have appreciated hearing from women like myself. Also, it would have been useful if the author included perspectives from social workers that who counsel youth with this issue, especially since they tend to promote the value of one parent in the child's life regardless of the gender - typically supporting mothers. Again, the author should be credited for bearing her soul and telling her story!
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