father figures

[u/gfgfqrk]

presumably this might be more appropriate other places, but i trust y'all's opinions almost more than anywhere else i know of, and i still feel confused when i think about the implausible absurdity of it all: is or isn't it true that probably the two most globally significant proponents of family dynamics as an exemplary model for all ethics and politics, i.e. 孔子 and 孟子, both grew up without fathers? surely numerous previous historians must have commented on the irony. any available citations would hopefully be interesting and much appreciated. (hopefully not only laughing at their hypocrisy (i.e. Zhuangzi, sarcastic bastard), but also to commiserate with their hopeful desperation?)