His absence also allows Starbuck to project away her feelings instead of confronting them. Clifton notes further that Starbuck's status as an adult survivor of child abuse complicates her feelings on these issues.
The fact that he is absent allows Starbuck to detach herself emotionally instead of dealing with it head-on. Clifton also notes that Starbuck's position as an adult who has survived child abuse makes her views on this matter more complicated.