Not every father wound looks the same. In Daddy Dilemma, Stephanie King identifies three distinct father archetypes, each leaving a different mark on the daughters they raised.

The Ghost— He was never really there. Physically absent or emotionally invisible, you learned that love had to be earned, so you became the overachiever. You outwork everyone in the room, over-deliver in every relationship, and still lie awake wondering if you've done enough. In love, in work, in friendship, you are always proving something to someone who isn't even watching.

The Guest— He showed up sometimes. Inconsistent and unpredictable, you never knew which version of him you'd get, so you became the easy one. You don't ask for too much, you don't complain, you accommodate. At work you're the peacekeeper. In relationships you're the one who adjusts. In friendships you're the one who always shows up but rarely asks to be shown up for.

The Monster — His presence felt more dangerous than his absence. You survived him by making yourself small, and that survival strategy followed you everywhere. You shrink in meetings, shrink in relationships, shrink when someone raises their voice. You've spent your whole life calculating how much space you're allowed to take up.

Which one do you recognize?