May 27, 2003 offer us proper attention, individuals look to other sources to find fulfillment. In Foxfire and Rumblefish, Legs Sadovsky and Russell James share similar parental situations; they have grown up with the absence of a maternal figure and the presence of a neglectful father. As a result, they turn to their close friends to provide them with the attention that is missing from their lives. In Joyce Carol Oates" Foxfire and S.E Hintons" Rumblefish, the protagonists form strong relationships with their companions to alleviate the neglect they receive from their parents. .
The absence of a mother figure and the presence of a mentally and physically abusive father figure create an unstable home with a lack of proper care. In Rumblefish, Rusty's father is a harmful influence on his son and shows an alarming lack of support and interest in his life, which causes a distant and insubstantial relationship to form between the two males. Rusty's father does not address his son's serious medical issues and he is often absent from the household for weeks on end. This neglect inevitably causes Rusty to turn to his brother and schoolmates for companionship and basic knowledge regarding the process of growing up. An example of this negligence is evident when Rusty is severely injured in a knife fight. Instead of showing concern for his son's health and alarm at his involvement with weapons, he responds carelessly upon seeing the injury: "What a strange life you lead." (Hinton, 57) Instead, it is Rusty's best friend Steve and his brother who treats the wound and offer compassion. Rusty is fully aware of the strained relationship he experiences with his father: "It was hard for me to decide how I felt about my father. Sometimes he"ll ask me a question or something, but I could tell he was just trying to be polite. It was hard for me to respect him." (P 58) .
Not only is Rusty's father neglectful, he sets a negative example for Rusty during his influential teenaged years by drinking regularly and depending on welfare to support the family.