SINGAPORE - Only about half of respondents in a recent poll say they are satisfied with the amount of family time they have.
The survey of 872 Singaporeans, most of whom are parents, was conducted by the Families for Life (FFL) Council in August through its Facebook page and at various FFL events.
The survey also showed that four in 10 respondents have just six or fewer hours of quality family time per week.
According to those polled, this is because they use up their free moments on errands, work long hours, and have children who are more interested in screen time than family bonding.
Formerly known as the National Family Council, Families for Life is a non-profit organisation focused on building strong families.
FFL Council chairman Ching Wei Hong said in a speech on Tuesday that the results were a timely reminder about the necessity of making time for one's family.
"As members of families ourselves, we understand how the pressures of our fast-paced environment can affect quality family time," he said. "Yet it is up to us to intentionally decide to carve out time for our loved ones."
In order to help Singaporeans achieve this, FFL has revamped its annual Families for Life Celebrations from a month-long to a year-long programme which includes regular picnics held at heartland parks on the last Saturday of each month. Details about the first picnic will be announced at a later date.
Families can bond at the picnics by taking part in sand sculpting, popiah wrapping, kite flying and outdoor movie screenings together.
This change, FFL hopes, will inspire families to set aside regular time for each other instead of getting together only on special or festive occasions.
