Statistic 1: Singapore is reported to be the most overworked country in APAC, clocking 45 hours per work week (Singapore Business Review).
Statistic 2: The 2020 Singapore Department of Statistics showed the proportion of dual-income couples (both husband and wife employed) constituted about 52.5% compared to 47.1% ten years ago.
Statistic 3: As at June 2020, it is reported that one in five Singapore households have live-in maids.
A couple of years ago, following a poll conducted by McDonald Singapore, it was reported that 60% of parents admitted the use of mobile devices has reduced their interaction with their loved ones. About two-thirds of these parents (69%) and most kids (72%) have the habit of using their phones during mealtime. This finding prompted the fast- food chain to provide a locker at its Marine Cove East Coast Park outlet in tandem with the “Phone Off, Fun On” initiative to encourage family bonding over mealtimes. In Malaysia, a similar campaign “No Mobile During Dinner” was launched in Klang Valley, KL, where customers were encouraged to drop their mobile phones into a box before entering the restaurant.
Creating close family relationships is a long-term endeavour. Just like the gardener must create the right conditions for his plants to grow, building a healthy and nurturing home environment requires vision, planning and hard work.
Internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice, Barbara Coloroso once said, “There is something profoundly satisfying about sharing a meal. Eating together, breaking bread together, is one of the oldest and most fundamentally unifying of human experiences.”
In our present-day time-scarce world, it is a daily tussle to get everyone together at the dining table. When we do, another battle begins to practice full presence without having to fight over electronic devices, homework, to stop thinking about work deadlines and after meal to-do list. The challenges of life commitments may make it a hassle to assemble to eat together every day, but when we do, the benefits are obvious. Here are some positive effects from gathering for mealtimes:
Promotes a sense of belonging. While certain scheduling conflicts cannot be avoided, however a frequently absent parent can create distance. Carving out family mealtimes on a regular basis can enhance family dynamics which fosters a sense of belonging and love.
Staying connected. Eating together promotes conversations that keep everyone connected. It is a good place to find out what each person thinks about a particular topic, or what’s happening in our country and the world.
Cultivating social etiquette. While many people gather around the table to have good food, it is also the center for teaching and practicing table manners, where everyone learns to listen and takes turn to speak. These routines, reinforced day by day, teach children that they are a valued part of the family and not the center, that it takes everyone to contribute to meaningful conversations. Children who grow up knowing nothing of these mealtime disciplines, will grow up respecting neither good food or other people and will likely have limited communication skills.
Providing a healthy diet. Preparing and sharing meals is an excellent way to influence your children’s eating habits. Habits are ways of behaving which have become very deep-seated and are often difficult to change. Habits acquired in childhood have life-long impacts. Our bodies need proper nutrition. A healthy diet is about balance, moderation and variety that includes the important food groups: carbohydrates, meat and other proteins, vegetables and fruits.
Promoting healthy development of children. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) have reported a consistent relation between the frequency of family dinners and teen academic performance, such that children who have 5 to 7 family dinners per week were more likely to report receiving mostly As and Bs in school. Children and adolescents eating more meals together with their families are also found to do better on measures of psychological adjustment and display few risk behaviours such as alcohol, drug, tobacco use, depression-suicide, violence, anti-social behaviour, and school problems when compared to those who typically ate 0-1 dinners.
Building a healthy family life involves compromise and sacrifice, and the time and effort invested can make a difference to our children’s development and well-being.
HR & Education Staff Reporter (June 2022). Singapore named most overworked country in APAC. Singpaore Business Review. https://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/in-focus/singapore-named-most-overworked-country-in-apac
Census of Population 2020 Statistical Release 2 – Key Findings, https://www.singstat.gov.sg
A. Lim (17 Oct 2017). Fastfood chain asks diners to put away phones during meals. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fastfood-chain-asks-diners-to-put-away-phones-during-meals-echoing-past-efforts-elsewhere
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Use at Columbia University [CASA] The Importance of Family Dinners IV. 2007 Retrieved from http://www.casacolumbia.org/download.aspx?path=/UploadedFiles/30dqhuyg.pdf.
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