This is inaccurate, home where the father is gone because of death do not have the same problems as homes in which the father is gone because the mom has multiple sequential boyfriends.
I can't remember where I read it, though, but apparently the reason for a father being absent from the home, does have some impact.
For instance, if the father died, he may still be held in honor by both his widow and his children. His picture may be on the mantel, the wedding portrait on the wall, a snapshot in Mom's wallet.
His physical and material heritage are appreciated ("You have your dad's sense of humor" "You may end up going to USC like your father" "Matt Sr. planted that maple tree when you were just a toddler.")
His side of the family are all acknowledged --- grandma and grandpa, aunts uncles and cousins --- and may supply more stories about he father who passed away. ("Woo, he had a temper when he was young! But he got grounded for cussing your grandpa once, and he never did it again.")
His moral authority might still be strong ("Your dad would want you to tell the police the truth about that incident.")
Whereas if an absent father abandoned the family, or was never there at all, all this wealth of patrimony is lost. It's a big loss. I think, especially for a boy. It leaves a big wound.