Welcoming National Family Day, Ministry Stresses Fathers' Presence at Home
Jakarta (ANTARA) - In the lead-up to the 33rd National Family Day (Harganas) on 29 June, the Ministry of Population and Family Development/National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) has stressed the obligation of fathers to be present for their families.
“A father’s role is not limited to meeting the family’s economic needs. A father’s physical and emotional presence has a significant influence on shaping a child’s character, self-confidence, and mental health,” said Ministry Secretary and BKKBN Principal Secretary Budi Setiyono in Jakarta on Monday.
The ministry also called on all fathers in Indonesia to spend quality time with their families, build warm communication with their children, and serve as role models in daily life.
“In this regard, we also need to address the use of digital technology wisely. Gadgets and the internet should be utilised as tools for learning, creativity, and innovation, not as a cause of estrangement within the family,” he added.
Budi emphasised that parents must accompany their children in using technology, limit screen time, and ensure children achieve a balance between digital activities and real-world social interaction.
According to him, family development is a long-term investment for Indonesia’s future in anticipation of the demographic bonus. He argued that there can be no superior human resources without strong families, and no Golden Indonesia 2045 without a healthy, intelligent, character-driven, and competitive generation.
Budi reminded the public that the 33rd National Family Day commemoration is not merely an annual ceremonial event, but a reminder to the entire nation that the family is the primary foundation of human resource development and the determinant of Indonesia’s future.
“The various issues we face today, such as youth violence, bullying, drug abuse, and promiscuity, are serious challenges that require collective attention,” Budi stated.
He asserted that the family is the first and most important fortress in preventing such risky behaviours. The home must be the safest, most comfortable, and most longed-for place for children.
“We invite all parents to strengthen their parenting functions, improve communication within the family, instil religious and moral values, and build emotional closeness with their children from an early age,” he explained.
According to Budi, society is currently living amidst rapid global changes marked by economic uncertainty, digital technology disruption, and social shifts, in a situation often referred to as Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA).
This condition triggers various new challenges that enter directly into family spaces through the development of information technology.
“In such a situation, family resilience becomes an extremely urgent need. A strong family will produce a healthy, character-driven, and competitive generation. Conversely, a fragile family will become increasingly vulnerable to various social problems that impact the nation’s future,” he concluded.