Daddy cool: how Hong Kong fathers are building ‘unforgettable’ bonds with kids
DADs Network is working to change traditional expectations that discourage fathers from bonding more deeply with their children
Younger generations of Hong Kong dads are increasingly eager to engage more with their children, but often face challenges due to limited time and parenting skills, an NGO has said ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday.
Allen Ha Wing-on, co-founder of the DADs Network, said that traditional expectations and busy schedules posed obstacles for local fathers.
“Traditionally, not just in Asia, fathers are expected to provide financially, but are not necessarily very engaged relationally,” said the father of two, whose organisation has spent a decade advocating for a more prominent role for dads.
“Even though the young generations of fathers are very keen to be involved, they find it difficult to navigate between work demands and meaningful family engagement.”
He further explained that the high pressure and long working hours, combined with children’s busy schedules, including after-school activities, often resulted in “weak and unsustainable” bonds between children and fathers.
He added that, unlike mothers, fathers did not naturally get together as a community. This observation motivated him to establish an organisation in 2015 dedicated to creating a networking platform for dads, alongside arranging father-child activities.