To provide financial security for the family was considered the main duty and challenge to today's fathers, according to a territory-wide telephone survey conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.  An overwhelming 97 per cent of fathers polled, said that being able to make sure the family was well provided for and in no need, was an important requirement for modern qualified fathers, the highest percentage among the ten requirements suggested in the questionnaire.  A further 92 per cent of respondents stated that financial contributions to the family were important, while more than half revealed their biggest worries to be the fear of losing their jobs, or failure to earn enough money. 

 Despite the challenges, more than 90 per cent of respondents experienced a feeling of satisfaction in being fathers, with most saying that as long as their children were healthy, they would be satisfied.  The obedience of children came second.   Although around two-thirds of respondents admitted that they were most concerned with the academic performance of their children, this placed third when regarding the respondents' source of satisfaction in being fathers.

In the respondents' view, a modern qualified father had to fulfill a set of demanding requirements.   On top of the two requirements related to providing financial security to the family, further requirements considered important included, maintaining a harmonious marriage, having no bad habits and being a role model for their children.  Each requirement earned more than 90 per cent of the respondents' support.   More than 8 out of every 10 respondents considered that being able to communicate with their children and having sufficient time to spend with them, important.   All this indicates that respondents expected a modern qualified father to perform various roles, especially those of breadwinners, emotional supporters, and role models.   

  A fewer portion of respondents (around 50 per cent only) expected a modern qualified father to be rigid or authoritarian. 

 The telephone survey was conducted from 28 May to 1 June 2001.  A total of 510 fathers who had children aged 15 or younger were polled.  It was found that more than 80 per cent of respondents trusted their children. 

 Respecting the interactions between fathers and their children, an overwhelming majority of respondents (97 per cent) claimed that they had a good or very good relationship with their offspring.   Playing at home was the most commonly cited activity that required respondents to spend the longest time with the child (33.6 per cent).  More than 90 per cent said that they reserved their holidays to stay with the children, or joined them while doing things that they enjoyed most, while  a further  75 per cent took the  time to telephone their children as an effort in enhancing communication.

 More than 20 per cent of respondents found a lack of time the most difficult aspect when it came to raising their children, with a similar percentage seeking an improvement in allocating more time for the family, or to communicate more with the children.   One-fourth of employed respondents were required to leave Hong Kong for trips overseas. 

 In response to the findings, the Federation said that today's fathers shoulder a heavy financial burden.   Their burden was intensified by the fact that they had high expectations of themselves being fathers.   Yet, from a positive point of view, respondents seemed to enjoy the experience of fatherhood.  The Federation believes that it would help if family members communicated more, and showed greater spiritual and emotional support to Dad.

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