Fathers
cold and aloof, say teens
South China Morning Post. November 16, 1999
DEUTSCHE PRESSE- AGENTUR in Singapore
MANY teenagers see their fathers as cold,
aloof and authoritarian, while better-educated parents and those from higher
income levels are more supportive of their children, a study said yesterday.
The survey of 748 youths aged 16 to 19 found mothers were perceived to be stricter than fathers but more nurturing and caring, and included their offspring in decision-making.
Mothers did not use physical force to punish children, but made them feel guilty for letting them down.
Results of the survey, conducted by Ong Ai Choo, a National Institute of Education lecturer, were published in the Straits Times.
Adolescents who described their fathers as cold and who had frequent arguments with them tended to have behavioural problems such as aggression, playing truant, drinking alcohol, cheating in exams, smoking and fighting, the survey said.
"The study is significant because it shows that both father and mother are important for the child's psychological and social development," Ms Ms Ong was quoted as saying.
Previous studies in the region had focused more on the mother's role, she said.
Fathers were urged to show love, warmth and affection by speaking and listening to their offspring if they wanted teenagers who were better-behaved and well-adjusted. They also were urged to explain why they were resorting to punishment without asserting authority.
The findings also showed better-educated parents and those from higher income levels were more supportive of children than parents with lower educational standards.