Dads unite! Group aims to end outdated view of father’s role in family

KUALA LUMPUR – The determination of a group of fathers to ensure parental awareness is instilled in men through social initiatives and education has led to the birth of Persatuan Pemberdayaan Bapa Penyayang (Caring Fathers’ Empowerment Society).

The group, which opens its membership to all fathers, regardless of age, race or religion, was logged by the Registrar of Societies on February 26. It has since set up its pro tem committee, consisting of seven office-bearers.

Pro tem chairman Hasri Harun believes the group’s establishment is necessary to address the role of fathers not just in their families, but also in society.

“I conducted plenty of research prior to setting up this NGO. After speaking to family development experts and peers, I realised the need for fathers to come together, so that their role in their respective families is enhanced,” the 45-year-old lecturer told The Vibes in an interview recently. 

The group’s intention, he said, is not to promote male empowerment per se amid a sea of female-empowerment movements, but to strengthen the role of fathers as the leader of their families.

The aim is not to clash with women’s family roles, but for men to complement those roles as family leaders, he said.

“A man’s role in the family, when enhanced, will also strengthen his contribution at work.”

Based on research by the National Population and Family Development Board, Hasri said families in the country suffer due to a lack of male presence in the family support system, or primary male influences that stem from traditional mindsets and conditioning over generations.

“For instance, when we were growing up in the kampung, it was normal for our fathers to not step foot in the kitchen to help our mothers with the cooking.

“That allows the sons to think that it is the norm when they deal with their wives. But, times and circumstances have evolved, necessitating husbands to be involved in every aspect of the family instead of just select roles.”

Hasri, a father of six children aged between 2 and 17, said his group aims to instil such awareness in fathers via education and advocacy campaigns.

“I am looking forward to recruiting more members in the next few months as we lay out our activities and plans for this year. As one of our members is a certified trainer, we will be arranging courses catered to fathers in the near future.

“We are aiming to ensure more fathers, despite being occupied with work, spend quality time with their children. That is one of the challenges we intend to take on.

“It is not about how much time fathers have to spend with their children; it is about ensuring (the time they do spend together) is quality time.”

Asked about the inspiration behind the group, Hasri said he is keen for Malaysia to have empowerment-based set-ups for fathers, like those in other countries.

Additionally, he consulted with the country’s first father-empowerment NGO – the established Better Dads Malaysia – prior to setting up his society.

“I met the chairman, and he was very supportive of the move. I learnt a lot from them in terms of administration and set-up,” said the Universiti Selangor lecturer.

For now, he said, the society plans to initiate a webinar by next month on a father’s role in the family.

“In conjunction with Father’s Day on June 20, I plan to launch a book on the subject. So far, about half the book is completed.” – The Vibes, March 14, 2021