KUALA LUMPUR: For Valentine’s Day, the best gift fathers can give their families is becoming better parents and husbands.
Non-profit organisation Better Dads Malaysia (Pertubuhan Bapa Hebat Malaysia) president Joshua Hong said fathers should celebrate Valentine’s Day by resolving to improve themselves as fathers and husbands.
“I believe that the best Valentine’s Day gift, especially when you are married, is to give your partner flowers and presents.
“But to be a better husband and father to your children will be the best gift you can give,” he said when met at the handover of face masks at SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1, here, today.
Hong explained that the mission of the NGO, which was formed last year, is to champion co-parenting.
“In the past, the role of nurturing and caring only fell on the mother, as the father goes to work. But times have changed and both need to work together to avoid conflict about who does the house chores (for example).
“That is why we believe in co-parenting, as we realise there are studies that found that the presence of fathers (at home) is really important. In some countries, the cause of the rise of crimes committed by males is due to an absence of father figures.
“And so, tackling such social issues must begin with fathers getting more involved with their children’s lives and to improve themselves,” he said.
For Better Dads Malaysia co-founder Jason Leong, the best present a husband can give his partner is a full commitment to his family.
“Valentine’s Day is not only about loving your wife, but also about loving your children by being a better father.
“Show (your children that you) love their mother, that you are in a responsible, committed journey
“We are not perfect, but as we go on and learn, we will be near-perfect fathers one day,” he said.
Leong added that the character of a child is deeply influenced by his or her father.
“A father’s absence creates space for most of society’s struggles and ills. The problem of fatherlessness or father absence is real in Malaysia, when we see the number of juvenile rapists on the rise, teenage pregnancy on the rise, more school students involved in violent crimes, rising trend in suicide among youths and 3.4 per cent of our teenagers currently being drug users, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017.
“This is why the organisation (encourages) men and fathers to rise and be better dads.”
The NGO is spreading awareness of the importance of a father’s involvement in the lives and upbringing of their children through training sessions for men living in the Klang Valley.