C.S. Lewis once wrote that friendship is born when one person says to another, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.” This Father's Day, hear the story of The Ordinary Dad, a group formed when some stay-at-home dads came together and found community.
A study by Catholic Family Life found that strong families are undergirded by strong marriages. Four factors are key: family commitment, conflict resolution, marital satisfaction and family spirituality. But grandparents and intergenerational relationships could be a "double-edged sword" if values and attitudes are not aligned.
In post-divorce custody battles, it is remarkable how Singapore law strives to preserve the relationship of children with both parents despite the breakdown of the marriage. Joint custody is the norm, and courts have often encouraged divorcing couples to set aside their hostility for the sake of their children.
In Singapore, there is an important social norm of "non-interference" between grandparents and parents. It implicitly recognises that parents have primary responsibility for raising children. Dialogue, mutual respect and understanding are important, if we want to move forward constructively.
Adoptive children have a deep desire to seek their biological parents in an effort to find themselves. It touches on deep and profound questions, involving one’s identity and origin. This right to know one’s natural parents has been recognised as a legal and moral right in Singapore.