What Does an Unhealthy Father-Daughter Relationship Look Like?

The relationship between a father and daughter is often painted as something deeply influential—a foundation for a girl's self-worth, relationships, and confidence. In a healthy dynamic, a father provides guidance, protection, and unconditional love. But what happens when that relationship isn’t healthy?

An unhealthy father-daughter relationship isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it’s disguised as overprotection, subtle control, or emotional neglect. Other times, it's more overt—manipulation, constant criticism, or even emotional unavailability. Regardless of how it manifests, the impact can be long-lasting, shaping the way a daughter sees herself and interacts with the world.

So, what does it actually look like when a father-daughter relationship turns toxic?

1. The Absence of Emotional Support

A father is often one of the first people a daughter looks to for emotional validation. But in an unhealthy relationship, this support is missing—or worse, replaced with indifference.

Maybe the father is physically present but emotionally distant, uninterested in her feelings, struggles, or achievements. Conversations stay on the surface, and any attempt at emotional depth is dismissed or ignored.

“I could never talk to my dad about how I felt. Anytime I tried, he’d change the subject or tell me I was being dramatic.”

Over time, this emotional neglect teaches a daughter that her feelings don’t matter, making it harder for her to express herself in future relationships.

2. Constant Criticism and Unreasonable Expectations

Some fathers set impossible standards for their daughters—whether it’s academic success, physical appearance, or behavior. Every action is scrutinized, and nothing ever seems good enough.

“Why didn’t you get an A+ instead of an A?”
“You should lose some weight.”
“You’ll never succeed if you don’t do exactly what I say.”

This kind of relentless criticism can make a daughter feel like she’s always failing, no matter what she does. Even in adulthood, she might struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, or an inability to accept praise.

3. Overcontrol or Overprotection

A father should provide guidance, but in an unhealthy dynamic, guidance turns into control. The father dictates every aspect of his daughter’s life—what she wears, who she dates, what she studies, even how she thinks.

Sometimes, this overcontrol is disguised as protection. The father might justify his behavior by saying, “I just want what’s best for you,” but in reality, he’s limiting her independence and ability to make decisions for herself.

A daughter raised this way may grow up feeling suffocated, rebellious, or incapable of making choices without seeking approval.

4. The "Emotionally Unavailable" Father

Some fathers simply don’t know how to connect with their daughters. Maybe they were raised in a household where men didn’t express emotions, or maybe they’re too caught up in their own world to notice their daughter’s needs.

The emotionally unavailable father:

• Rarely says “I love you” or expresses affection
• Doesn't engage in meaningful conversations
• Prioritizes work, hobbies, or other relationships over his daughter

“I knew my dad loved me, but he never said it. Never hugged me. Never really asked how I was doing. It was like I was invisible unless I did something wrong.”

For a daughter, this emotional distance can be confusing. It may lead to a pattern of seeking validation from emotionally unavailable partners later in life.

5. The "Best Friend" or "Burdened" Father

On the flip side, some fathers swing too far in the other direction. Instead of being a father, they try to be their daughter’s best friend. They overshare personal problems, depend on her emotionally, or make her feel responsible for their happiness.

This often happens in situations like:

• Divorce, where the father treats his daughter as his emotional support system
• Single-parent households, where the daughter is forced into an adult role too soon
• Fathers who lack strong emotional connections elsewhere and rely too much on their child

While this might seem like a “close” relationship, it’s actually unhealthy. A daughter shouldn’t have to carry her father’s emotional burdens—it’s a role reversal that can lead to deep emotional exhaustion.

6. Unresolved Tension That Lingers into Adulthood

Even after leaving home, many daughters carry the effects of an unhealthy father-daughter relationship into adulthood. It might show up as:

• Fear of abandonment or rejection
• Difficulty trusting men
• A pattern of seeking approval in relationships
• Low self-esteem or chronic self-doubt

Sometimes, the daughter distances herself completely, cutting off communication to protect herself. Other times, she remains in the relationship but sets firm emotional boundaries. In either case, healing is a process that requires self-awareness and often professional support.

Breaking the Cycle: Healing from an Unhealthy Father-Daughter Relationship

Recognizing an unhealthy dynamic is the first step. Healing, however, takes time. Some daughters find therapy helpful to process past wounds and rebuild their self-worth. Others focus on forming healthy relationships with supportive partners and friends.

What matters most is breaking the cycle—understanding that a father’s behavior doesn’t define her, and that she has the power to create relationships built on respect, love, and emotional security.

Because at the end of the day, every daughter deserves a relationship—father or otherwise—that makes her feel seen, valued, and loved.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.