ABSTRACT
Father's presence in children's fantasies is developmentally appro priate. Fantasy is a vital coping device employed by young children for reality-adaptive and/or defensive purposes (Gould, 1972). It is used to compare real and imagined elements as children comprehend and organize their thoughts about the role and place of father, mother, and self in work and family life. The fantasy father of children with nonresident fathers serves adaptive purposes by enabling them to keep father available to support development and growth through creative play.
