Poll finds Taiwan fathers need to lift their game

2015/08/07

Fathers in Taiwan should dedicate more time to raising their children, according to a recent survey by Taipei City-based Child Welfare League Foundation.

A total of 54.1 percent of respondents said they spend no more than 30 minutes per day talking with their fathers, while 26.6 percent have dinner with their fathers fewer than three times a week.

Nearly 42 percent said their fathers do not know who their best friends are, and while 66.4 percent believe it is important for parents to participate in a child’s school activities, 36.5 percent said their fathers never did.

Foundation CEO Chen Li-ju said the study shows that although most fathers and children live under the same roof, their time together is far too limited and the quality of interaction leaves much to be desired.

“Fathers in Taiwan should reprioritize schedules and make time for their offspring as the importance of parental involvement and support cannot be overemphasized.”

Despite less-than-satisfactory interaction, 42.5 percent of respondents said their fathers are willing to given them praise, recognition and support, while 54.1 percent said their fathers had taken leave from work to care for them.

Asked what makes an ideal father, 52 percent said a willingness to take children out for fun; 51 percent, nonsmoking; and 43 percent, good listening skills.

Chen urged fathers to spend at least 30 minutes talking to their children each day, have dinner with them a minimum three times a week and take part in school activities in excess of three times per year.

Conducted May 11 to June 15 through telephone interviews, the survey involved 1,395 youths aged 11-14, with 50.4 percent elementary students and the remaining junior high students.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233425&ctNode=413)