How does the author address the theme of absent parents in the novel, Wild Houses?

Martin Hendricks, Dev’s father, lives in a mental health facility known as the Units and has a troubled past, including a previous arrest for kidnapping. His absence from Dev's life is a crucial element in the theme of absent parents within the novel. Martin’s mental health issues and incarceration have left Dev without a stable paternal figure, deeply affecting his emotional well-being and development. This absence contributes to Dev’s vulnerability and sense of isolation, highlighting how the lack of supportive, present parental figures impacts his journey and decisions throughout the novel. The theme of absent parents is underscored by how Dev’s struggles and choices are influenced by the void left by his father’s absence and erratic behavior.