Since 1984, Singapore has commemorated Total Defence Day on 15 February. The Total Defence concept rallies all Singaporeans to adopt a personal responsibility for our nation's defence, based on our complementary strengths and responsibilities.
The 5 pillars of the Total Defence concept are: Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence.
As dads, we can connect with and draw from the concept of Total Defence by building resilience, inculcating positive values, and fostering cohesiveness and community spirit in our children and families.
MILITARY DEFENCE
? Sharing National Service Experiences
National Service is the backbone of Singapore's military defence. Singaporean dads have rich experiences from their participation as full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) or operationally ready National Servicemen (NSMen).
We can share our positive experiences during their National Service and engage in discussions with our families to instill confidence, pride and support in servicemen from the Police, Armed and Civil Defence Forces.
? Positive Role-modeling
Many Singaporean fathers continue to serve as NSMen while their children are young. We should adopt a positive attitude during regular In-camp Training (ICT) cycles and communicate the importance of our participation to our children. In doing so, we will serve as positive role models, especially for boys who would have to serve NS in the future.
Parents could also leverage on ?Open House? events at various military installations to engage in family bonding while building support and confidence in the Singapore military.
CIVIL DEFENCE
? Being prepared as a family
The key theme of the Civil Defence movement is ?Taking care of family, friends and people around you?. ?With our wealth of National Service experience, Singaporean fathers should take the lead in preparing our families for times of crises.
Local and international incidents such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters can serve as a focal point for discussions of how family members should respond in similar situations. Role-playing during daily interaction or discussions about popular movies such as ?Transformers? can introduce concepts of emergency preparedness to the young.
? Staying Vigilant
Fathers can instill a sense of vigilance in our children's daily lives by highlighting potential dangers. ?For example, taking the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train can be a learning opportunity for vigilance against terrorism.
ECONOMIC DEFENCE
? Working and Saving to Build a Better Life
Despite the rise of dual-income families, dads continue to be the principal breadwinner in many Singaporean families. We need to continue to stay relevant through skills upgrading, and remain economically productive and positively contribute to the well-being of our families.
Parents should also inculcate a sense of sustainable living in their families through positive role-modeling and education of energy-saving and environmentally-friendly living practices. Through such positive reinforcement, Singaporean parents can ensure a better living environment for successive generations.
SOCIAL DEFENCE
? Positive Values Inculcation
Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious community. Sensitivity to the diverse traditions and practices of the different communities is critical to ensuring peace and stability. Parents act as a bridge to the outside world for their children. A simple act of visiting neighbours or religious monuments during ethnic and religious festivals in Singapore will go a long way in developing cultural sensitivities among the young and fostering social cohesion.
? Developing a Compassionate Society
Fathers could also lead their children in community work to help the less fortunate or underprivileged. Voluntary work at various non-government organisations such as the Children's Cancer Foundation or Post Museum's Soup Kitchen will help children remain grounded and develop a more inclusive Singaporean community. Families who are more sensitive and compassionate to the needs of the larger community will be more willing to look out for each other.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENCE
? Instilling Pride and Developing a Community Spirit
When families are united in pride and passion, they will be willing to defend Singapore to the very end. It is important to develop a strong sense of community identity of what it means to be Singaporean. Attending national events such as the National Day Parade, international sports events and community events such as neighbourhood fun-fairs engenders a strong sense of community spirit. ?Parents should also continually emphasize Singapore's successes to their children so that they will develop a strong sense of pride in being Singaporean and a willingness to defend the nation.
Conclusion
It is the collective responsibility of all Singaporeans to contribute to Total Defence. In their various capacities, Singaporean fathers are well-positioned to serve as positive role-models and inculcate values that build resilience, develop cohesiveness and sense of community in their families.
?
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
?
Source: http://dadsforlife.sg/fatherhood101/total-defence-a-concept-to-protect-our-families
dana wilkey chuck liddell chuck liddell dancing with the stars beanie wells beanie wells dina manzo
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.