As Singapore moves into the endemic phase, we’re celebrating fathers who have overcome the challenges of the pandemic while balancing work, co-parenting and household responsibilities and strengthened their families because of their resilience and courage.
This year, Celebrating Fathers is heralding Father’s Day with a line-up of events to spotlight fathers’ contributions as they supported their families through the pandemic. Into its seventh year, Celebrating Fathers 2022 is themed “Fathers Make A Difference” and aims to recognise and encourage dads to continue all the good work they have done in becoming more involved fathers.
The coronavirus has caused major changes in working preferences and caregiving responsibilities for both men and women. Research has shown that men are chipping in more time – between 30 minutes to 1 hour at home per day1. Another study indicated that fathers in the UK want more home-based and flexible working to maintain their childcare time during the pandemic, which they believe has made them better fathers2.
Celebrating Fathers 2022, which runs from 4 June to 19 June 2022, is jointly organised by Centre for Fathering, MUMs for Life, DADs for Life, Families for Life and Mediacorp, in support of Made For Families and Celebrating SG Families. First launched in 2016, the annual Celebrating Fathers campaign is a nation-wide initiative that aims to recognise the efforts and contributions of Singapore’s Dads.
“During the pandemic, fathers have been taking on new responsibilities at home and have been given the opportunity to become more involved with their children and family through caregiving and household responsibilities” says Mr Bryan Tan, CEO, Centre for Fathering, MUMs for Life and DADs for Life. “These fathers have impacted their families through their greater involvement which in turn built closer relationships with their children and strengthened their marriages. Even as we move into the endemic season, fathers will continue to play a key role in supporting both their children and spouses as they adapt to this “new normal”.
“It is important for us to show appreciation to all fatherly figures who have taken up the mantle to support their families in unique ways especially during the pandemic where they become more involved. Strong and stable families are the bedrock of our society. This Father’s Day, we want to celebrate the positive difference dads make in the home, from creating a safe and nurturing environment for growth to making the commitment to invest in family time,” said Mr Ishak Ismail, Chairman of Families for Life Council.
“Mediacorp is delighted to join our partners again this year to honour fathers and the important roles they play in our lives. Leveraging our creative talents and resources, we will be lining up an exciting slew of activities and events for Celebrating Fathers 2022, which I am sure dads and their families will have plenty of fun at!” said Mr Parminder Singh, Chief Commercial and Digital Officer, Mediacorp.
Dad’s Day Out 2022
Dad’s Day Out 2022 Challenge @ Sentosa was once again be the key highlight and culminating point of the Celebrating Fathers series of activities this year, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. This year’s Dad’s Day Out is organised in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation’s Zentosa Fest – Singapore’s first wellness island festival celebrating health and wellness amidst Sentosa’s scenic environment. Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, was the guest of honour for the event (pictured).
A family challenge offered participants a fun-filled adventure on Father’s Day weekend at Sentosa! On 18 and 19 June 2022, family teams went to designated pitstops around the island to complete tasks incorporating various elements of a healthy and resilient family lifestyle such as building sandcastles, doing family yoga poses and exploring various trails. Up to 2000 families who complete the activities will get a goodie bag!
At one of the stations, participating families were be invited to pledge their commitment to greater family and personal wellness by symbolically tying a ribbon to the suspension bridge that leads to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia. Over 3,800 lined the bridge, a symbol of the collective commitment by participants, and will be repurposed into decorative items after the event. This attempt received the Singapore Book of Records – Largest Display of Ribbons on a Bridge record.
“Over the past two years during the pandemic season, families have spent much of their time cooped up at home. This is the first Father’s Day since we entered the endemic season and with the relaxed social distancing measures, it’s a great opportunity for families to spend time having fun outside the home. We hope that Dad’s Day Out 2022 will give families, who have been under much stress the past two years, an opportunity to relax and have fun together outdoors,” added Mr Tan.
Other Events and Special Deals
Kicking off the Celebrating Fathers line up of events was the National Family Week @ Suntec with Families for Life on 4 and 5 June 2022. The weekend included exciting family activities such as terrarium making to giant Jenga and Becky Bunny’s Adventures. Prime Minister Lee, who was the guest of honour for the event, showed his support by stopping by the Centre for Fathering booth (pictured above).
On the morning of 10 June 2022, Centre for Fathering and DADs for Life organised a special FamilyTrees Father’s Day Edition in collaboration with National Parks Board. Thirty families with children below 3 years old commemorated the birth of their children by planting a tree at East Coast Park (pictured below)
Also part of the Celebrating Fathers line up was a multi-sport family event on 11 June 2022 at National Stadium, organised in collaboration with Active Parents. Activities included dance fitness, athletics and football for parents and children between 5 to 12 years old.
Special DADs for Life, a support group for fathers with children of special needs, organised a football clinic for fathers and their children with special needs on 12 June 2022. The event was held in partnership with the Football Association of Singapore and Balestier Khalsa Football Club.
Families will also enjoy special deals offered by merchant partners supporting the Celebrating Fathers initiative.
Visit www.celebratingfathers.sg for more details on Celebrating Fathers.
Reference
1: https://www.forbes.com/sites/agnesuhereczky/2020/06/20/staying-at-home-during-the-pandemic-has-gotten-men-to-do-more-housework-and-childcare-what-impact-will-this-have-on-workplaces-post-covid/?sh=8f7356e27183Reference 2: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2021/fathers-seek-more-home-flexible-working-to-maintain-covid-transformation-in-childcare/