• Results of the SFE Logo Design Competition 2009
• Parenting Conference : Building Strong Families for Tomorrow
• PEPS Recruitment Briefing for FY2010
• Real Love Works Marriage Magazine
• Marriage Central Resource Point
• SFE Reimbursement Documents
• SFE Recruitment for FY2010

• Family Types

RESULTS OF THE SFE LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION 2009

We are pleased to announce the winners of the SFE Logo Design Competition 2009. <Can we add in a line or two on how we will be using parts of the winning design for our new logo? And to watch this space?> The winning design will be incorporated into the official SFE Logo and be used in MCYS’ publicity and marketing efforts. Watch this space as we unveil the official SFE Logo soon!

Congratulations to the following participants!

First Prize – Tan Siok Cheng (Innova Primary School)
($300 worth of CapitaLand vouchers)

Second Prize – Tan Jia Yee (Hong Kah Secondary School)
($200 worth of CapitaLand vouchers)

Third Prize – Ong Jing Xuan (Bedok View Secondary School)
($100 worth of CapitaLand vouchers)

Honorable Mentions

Due to the large number of deserving entries, we are pleased to award 2 additional commendation prizes of $50 worth of CapitaLand vouchers each to two designs that showed great creativity. Please visit www.sfe.org.sg to see these logo designs.

We would like to thank all SFE partners for your support and sincerely hope that you had a great time participating in this competition as much as we had in organising it!

1. Protecting and Strengthening Marriages by Mr. Simon Sim
2. Nurturing and Developing A Learning Resilient Child by Dr Moo Swee Ngoh
3. Communicating and Managing Emotions Effectively in the Family by Mr. Jason Ng
4. Healthy Money Management for the family by Mr. Dennis Ng

• Receipts for refreshments and other purchases;
• Short programme reports (for programmes without evaluation forms);
• Evaluation forms; and
• Letter for Coordinators’ fee

• Speakers’ CV;
• Programme handouts / notes; and
• Photographs of the programmes

FAMILY TYPES

This article "Family Types” by Mr Philip Chang is extracted from Fathering Matters, contributed by Centre for Fathering Ltd. We would like to thank Centre For Fathering Ltd for contributing this article.

Although every family is unique, there are significant similarities between all families. There are three characteristic types or patterns that are observable: Autocratic, Permissive and Nurturing family types.

The Autocratic Family

This is where one or both parents rule the family with absolute authority. Here the parenting style is rigid, domineering, allowing very little freedom or responsibility for the children. Children are pressured to fit into a mould determined by parent(s) with punishment and rewards. Such children struggle to think, feel, believe, and even dream independently outside their parent’s wishes. As a result, the children have serious difficulties establishing their independent self-identities as they grow up. Rules in autocratic families tend to be inflexible, inappropriate, and rigidly enforced. Unquestioning obedience rather than healthy development is fostered. Such children tend to have a weak self-ego, co-dependent on others, emotionally delicate and indecisive.

The Permissive Family

Permissive families reject the harsh and uncompromising stance of autocratic parenting styles, preferring not to accept responsibility for creating a mould for the children to conform. Instead they are encouraged to chart their own course and do their own thing. Little emphases are given to family order and routine. Consequently, few boundaries are drawn leading to inconsistencies in family relationships and loose family ties. As a result the children are confused, leading to their insecurity and poor socialisation abilities. Whereas autocratic families have too much control and too little freedom, permissive families have too much freedom and too little control. This can be a very confusing environment for a child.

The Nurturing Family

Nurturing families place a high value on freedom, equality, and responsibility. The primary focus is on meeting individual needs of all family members and promoting their personal growth and development. Family rules in nurturing families are both flexible and appropriate as they are consistently maintained. Personal freedom is encouraged but with limits to proper consideration for others. This builds healthy ego boundaries and socialisation skills amongst the members.

Family types are not static but dynamic. At any given moment a family might assume a structure that includes the characteristics of one or more of the 3 family types, ensuring that family rules mirror the typical changes in the family structure and according to the developmental stages in their children's lives.

Reflection pointers...

• What do you think is your family type? Autocratic, permissive or nurturing? Is it appropriate and effective in promoting healthy developments in your children?

• What adjustments do you think you would like to make, if any, to further improve the development of well-being and socialisation for your family today? You may wish to discuss your thoughts with your spouse and later with the whole family for greater participation from them as you seek to promote healthy growth through the stages of life for them.

Action pointers...

• Set up a family spring cleaning this weekend. Assign tasks appropriate to the age of your children, giving them ‘total responsibility’ and ‘dependence’ on them doing this part of the cleaning. Praise them for a job well done and have a reward meal for dinner.

• Hold a post new year party for your child /children and have them invite their friends. This will allow you an insight into their friends and their world.

 For more information on Centre for Fathering Ltd, visit www.fathers.com.sg or email fatheringmatters@fathers.com.sg .