FATHERING DOES MATTER!!

I have accepted that family relationship is my core value. With this understanding, it has tremendously helped me to make major decision. Should I accept the opportunity that will offer me double my income but that requires travelling? Should I participate in a networking opportunity that will increase the chances of personal success? Should I insist on purchasing item A when item B can actually bring happiness to the family? Should I be spending time writing this response amidst my other tasks that are awaiting my follow up?

Well, with a clear acceptance of the importance of family relationship, the decision is rather easy to make when it comes to choices...”

The above is an example of the kind of rich fathering wisdom that has reached us. If this trend continues, we can all make FM a platform to discuss fathering matters.

I may be naïve to say this - but I would like to see a day come when men could talk about fathering in the same breath as mothering, without any inhibition. Women can just freely talk about their home life in all social settings. Why not men? Maybe one day we will hear a father say over the bar, “Hey guys, you know I am having a headache with my teenager…”. And his drinking buddies would not think that he is … well, unmanly. Now that would be the day when male chauvinism is truly broken. Then wives would not feel that they have to “do it all” – career, family, etc.

That day may not be as far away as we think. A few weeks ago, the media reported that the number of house-husbands are on the rise in South Korea because it is their wives who were able to find employment under the current economic situation. Today’s family has to be flexible and adaptable to adjust their parenting roles and responsibilities as the world changes. That is why we need to be proactive to strengthen the Singapore family of tomorrow. Fathering does matter.