Inspiring, strong, loving: Dads show it their way

This Father’s Day, meet four emotionally involved fathers who show true dad-ication

- Stephanie Yeo

Mothers are usually thought of as the nurturers in the family, but in a recent survey, almost three in four respondents said they wished their dads were more involved in emotional development.

Focus on the Family Singapore's Fatherhood Involvement and Marital Aspirations Survey polled 443 respondents of various races aged 13 to 70 from November 2023 to February 2024.

It is running a Father's Day campaign with videos, comics and stories at www.family.org.sg/ Dadicated until June 17.

Ms Theresa Pong, counselling director of The Relationship Room, a private counselling practice, says emotionally involved dads serve as role models to their kids.

"They demonstrate the importance of showing respect in marriages and families. Children also learn essential skills for navigating relationships, managing conflicts and solving problems effectively." They also encourage children to take risks and explore new things.

"These new skills, in turn, help boost children's confidence," she says.

Here, four involved dads share their fathering journeys.

Taxi driver raised five national athletes, with one heading for the Olympics

Step into Mr Michael Chen's flat in Jurong and the first thing that catches your eye is a large basket full of medals on the coffee table.

They are just some of the many sporting accolades his six children have amassed over the years, says the 70-year-old proudly, sweeping his arm to show off the trophies on display in the cabinets he built by hand.

The taxi driver of 11 years has much to be proud of. Not only does he have five children who were or are national athletes - four of them in kayaking Stephenie, his fifth child, will be representing Team Singapore in kayaking at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She won a silver medal in the single 500m event in the 2023 Asian Games, which was Singapore's best showing at the Asian Games to date.