Father Hunger: Fathers, Daughters and Food

... Show More
"Father Hunger" is the emptiness experienced by women whose fathers are/were emotionally absent, a void that leads to unrealistic body image, yo-yo dieting, food fears and disordered eating patterns. "Father Hunger" is a common phenomenon of Western culture, whose dictates and myths limit a father's role, creating a loss for all family members. Dr. Maine also discusses practical solutions to help readers understand and improve their father/daughter relationships and help families reconnect.

254 pages, Paperback

First published November 1,1991

About the author

... Show More
Margo Maine has specialized in eating disorders and related issues for over 35 years. A Founder and former Adviser of the National Eating Disorders Association and Founder and Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, her most recent book, Hair Tells a Story: Hers, Yours, & Ours (Toplight Books, 2023), explores women's relationship with their hair, a critical feminist issue and neglected aspect of body image. Dr. Maine is also author of: Pursuing Perfection: Eating Disorders, Body Myths, and Women at Midlife and Beyond; Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research- Practice Gap; Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders; The Body Myth; Father Hunger; and Body Wars; and Senior Editor Emeritus of Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. The 2007 recipient of The Lori Irving Award for Excellence in Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, the 2014 recipient of the Don and Melissa Nielsen Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2015 NEDA Lifetime Achievement Award, Maine has served on many clinical advisory and community boards and is a 2016 Honoree of the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame. She lectures nationally and internationally on eating disorders and maintains a private practice, Maine & Weinstein Specialty Group, in West Hartford, CT. She loves the earth and gets up early every day to celebrate it.


Community Reviews

Rating(4.3 / 5.0, 10 votes)
5 stars
5(50%)
4 stars
3(30%)
3 stars
2(20%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
10 reviews All reviews
July 14,2025
... Show More
Incredible dig into the complexity of male and female relationships!

For everyone, whether you are a man, a woman, a daughter, a son, a mom, or a dad, this exploration has the potential to change the dynamic of family emotional characteristics. It's not just relevant for families dealing with an eating disorder.

We all know that relationships between the sexes can be intricate and full of nuances. Understanding these complexities can lead to better communication, deeper connections, and more harmonious family environments.

By reading and sharing this, we can start a conversation and gain new perspectives on how to navigate the often-tumultuous waters of male-female relationships within our families.

So, take the time to read this article and share it with those you care about. Let's work together to improve the quality of our family relationships and create a more loving and understanding world.
July 14,2025
... Show More

Amazing book!


It's not just fathers who should read this remarkable piece. In fact, anyone who is considering starting a family or is currently facing difficulties with the complex dynamics within their family would benefit greatly from it.


The book doesn't single out men and place the blame solely on them. Instead, it takes a broader view and blames society in general for imposing very limited roles upon us in the context of the family.


If both men and women could truly understand the incredible significance of having a strong, present, and encouraging father figure, children would be able to receive so much more emotional nourishment. This, in turn, would give them a much better opportunity to succeed in all aspects of their lives.


It's high time we recognized the importance of this and took steps to change the现状.

July 14,2025
... Show More
The article seemed rather normative and repetitive. It didn't explore the topic as deeply as I had hoped. While I did appreciate that it laid the foundation for understanding the significance of a father's role, I couldn't help but feel that the blame for a father's absence was being shifted onto everyone else.

It would have been more beneficial if the piece had delved into the possible reasons why fathers might be absent, rather than simply implying that it was someone else's fault.

Additionally, a more in-depth analysis of the impact of a father's absence on the family and the children could have been included.

Overall, although the article had some valuable points, it could have been improved by being less one-sided and by providing a more comprehensive examination of the issue.
July 14,2025
... Show More

If you are a person who lives in the real world, it is advisable not to waste your precious time on this book. The only reason it managed to receive some stars is that it might serve as a starting point for future works that explore the relationship between fathers and their impact on children.

The author of this book seems to go to great lengths to shift the responsibility for the father's actions onto the women and children in their lives. The root cause of this problem lies in society's views, traditional gender roles, and outdated patriarchal mindsets. In reality, men need to step forward and take accountability for their actions, or rather, their lack thereof.

I am truly amazed at how carefully the author avoids directly addressing this issue throughout the entire book. Although the book is ostensibly about fatherhood and how fathers can improve, it hardly ever allows fathers to take responsibility for their actions even once. This is a novel that blames the victims and does little to clarify the confusion surrounding gender roles, accountability, abuse, and the loss of childhood.

July 14,2025
... Show More
I read most of the book and decided to move on to Hilde Bruch instead. I was quite disappointed as I was hoping for something more in-depth and complex. However, I just reached the chapter on functional dysfunction in families, which seems a bit more interesting.

Apart from the content, I don't have much affection for her writing style either. It all feels a bit trite somehow. The language she uses is not very engaging and fails to capture my full attention. I expected more sophistication and nuance in her writing.

Maybe I was too idealistic in my expectations, but I still believe that there are better books out there on this subject that can offer a more profound and thought-provoking exploration. I will continue my search and hope to find something that truly satisfies my intellectual curiosity.
July 14,2025
... Show More

A truly fascinating book that vividly highlights the crucial importance of fathers in their daughters' lives.


As an individual who has endured the challenges of disordered eating in various forms, I found myself deeply identifying with numerous points presented in this book. This connection is precisely what made it such a powerful and engaging read for me.


It has been an incredibly insightful experience for me, as an adult woman, to review my past through the lens of this book. I firmly believe that it would be an extremely beneficial read for all fathers of daughters. It offers valuable perspectives and guidance that can help fathers better understand their daughters' emotional and psychological needs, and ultimately build stronger and more meaningful relationships with them.

July 14,2025
... Show More
The original article might be rather brief or lack detailed information.

Upon further examination, it becomes clear that it doesn't offer much assistance.

Perhaps it was written in a hurry or without proper consideration for the needs of the readers.

To make it more useful, it could be expanded with additional examples, explanations, or relevant data.

This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic and better serve the purpose of helping the audience.

Moreover, the language used could be refined to make it more engaging and accessible.

By taking these steps, the article could be transformed into a more valuable resource that truly helps those who read it.
July 14,2025
... Show More
This book takes a unique approach as it doesn't simply place the blame on fathers. Instead, it encourages us to look at our parental figures and past within a broader context.

It's a known fact that men play a significant role in shaping a daughter's perception of what is acceptable in a romantic partner. When a father is avoidant or neglectful, it often leads to the daughter constantly seeking attention from men in future relationships, as if she is love hungry.

On the other hand, if a daughter has a father's unconditional love, it gives her a stronger foundation in love and self-esteem, making her understand that her value is inherent and not based on what she does, how she acts, or how she looks. The ideas presented in this book make perfect sense and ring true.

However, I do wish it would explore more deeply into the process of healing the void caused by a neglectful or narcissistic parent. Currently, I'm reading another book that delves into the perfectionistic traits of a person with ED, their need to overcontrol, and their inability to form connections in relationships. It emphasizes that connection is the crucial element in healing the inner child. This book, when read in conjunction with others, can provide a more comprehensive understanding and path towards personal growth and healing.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.