What are the negative effects of a childs life that lacks a father?

I grew up without a father. Lack of confidence perhaps? Perseverance and pride. That is just personal experience. My mother was not that great of a person though. ;( 

they miss out on a good role model

You ask for stats and links.. normally i am right there and love lookin things up.. but I'm trying to eat my japanese curry.. so don't be lazy and look it up yourself :P  (I am being jokey there by the way, Brit sense of humour!) 

I think kids can grow up ok without a dad and a  bad dad is worse than none at all imo...  My daughter doesn't get on with her dad.. they are too alike, both very fiery and stubborn and both say exactly the wrong thing to each other.. no tact... and off they go.... but even so she loves him and so i think overall she is better with a dad than not in her life.

I wish I could have experienced this.

Children of divorce live five years less on average. (See: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/katie-hafner/divorces-surprising-effec_b_842892.html)