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Focus on the Family Singapore

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Focus on the Family Singapore is a Christian socially conservative, anti-abortion organisation based in Singapore.[1] According to its website, FOTF seeks to strengthen the role of male and female in a marriage and traditional family unit.[2] The organisation has conducted talks, workshops, nationwide events and counselled parents and couples, with the aim of advocating traditional family units.

FOTF Singapore is an affiliate of the American Christian conservative organisation, Focus on the Family, founded in 1977 by James Dobson.[3][4][5] Focus on the Family Singapore was established in August 2000 and became a registered charity in 2002.[6] It operates autonomously as a charity and is a donor-supported Institution of Public Character in Singapore.[2]

Focus on the Family Singapore
Founded2002
FounderTan Thuan Seng
Location
  • Singapore
Websitefamily.org.sg

Events and programmes

Family bonding and inmate rehabilitation

The charity organises parent-child bonding programmes with prison inmates, including its Dates with Dads (since 2012) and Family Care (since 2016) sessions.[7][8]

Abstinence

Focus organises a programmes, No Apologies, that promotes abstinence and the practice of safe sex to youths.[9][10]

In 2009, following the new UNESCO guidelines for sexual education, there was much debate over the issue of teaching contraception methods to the young among civil groups such as AWARE and FOTF.[11] Following the media attention, the Ministry of Education suspended all sexuality education programmes in schools, except those conducted by the school teachers.[12] The ministry then conducted a vetting process.[12] In 2010, FOTF was one of the six shortlisted external vendors that was chosen to conduct sexuality education workshops in Singapore schools.[13]

Relationship and marriage programmes

Focus organises marriage preparation programmes that aims to help couples address issues that they may face as newlyweds.[14] It also created Celebrate Marriage, a marriage campaign to encourage married couples to invest in strengthening their relationship. In conjunction with Valentine’s Day in 2018, Focus launched a free online resource to give married couples practical tips, conversation starters, and date night ideas to nurture intimacy with their spouse.[15][16]

On 7 October 2014, a Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) student who attended a relationship workshop, It’s UNcomplicated (IUC), conducted by Focus, shared an open letter she wrote to her principal on her Facebook page. She suggested that the programme stereotyped males and females, portraying girls as "emotional", "want(ing) security" and wanting to "look attractive", while boys "need respect" and "don't want a girlfriend that questions their opinions and argues with their decisions all the time".[17] The programme material also featured lines such as "a guy can’t not want to look" and suggested that girls indulge in doublespeak while boys mean exactly what they say.[18][19] Focus on the Family Singapore was appointed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development to conduct such modules for junior college students.[20]

Focus has since issued an official response, claiming that the content of the workshop was based on material by experts, including Gary Chapman (author of The Five Love Languages) and Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn (author of For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men)[21] Focus also defended its programmes by pointing out more than 85 per cent of the students polled had rated it as "Very Good/Good" while 89 per cent of students saw he presentation of its facilitators as "Very Good/Good". It was not specified in the press release how many students had actually been surveyed.[22] Shaunti Feldhahn wrote an open letter in response to the issue,[23] saying that the student had misunderstood the material, "We strongly disagree with the idea that teaching the brain wiring and mutual respect is somehow contributing to a "rape culture."[24]

On 17 October 2014, in response to this issue, a letter co-signed by 13 research scientists from National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS contended that the evidence of stark sex-based differences - in both gross brain function and the majority of our cognitive functions - are inconclusive.[25]

The Ministry of Education confirmed in July 2014 that relationship and sexuality programs conducted by Focus on the Family Singapore would cease by end-2014 as planned.[26][27]

Counselling services

The organisation has been called out for advocating conversion therapies for gays.[28][29] It currently offers counselling on gender identity issues and unwanted same-sex attraction.[30]

Speaking out against artists

Focus also received criticism as it was deemed to speak out against artistes and events that undermines traditional family values.[31] In 2015, they expressed support for an online campaign that cited concerns to have American star Adam Lambert as part of the line-up of performances during the national countdown due to his track record of provocative stage performances.

While there has not been any issues when Lambert performed in Singapore at private events in the past, organisers of the petition pointed out that the countdown show was a national event that included family audience, including young children. Counter petitions were set up stating that the petition to remove Adam Lambert possesses “obvious sexual orientation discrimination”.[32]

Others have pointed out that the “issue is not about a performer's sexuality; the issue is about sexually provocative acts, especially "in the moment" acts, on a live show aired on national television."[33]

Relationship with Focus on the Family United States

Focus on the Family Singapore is operated and directed independently of Focus on the Family US, although the two organisations are closely affiliated. In 2009, Focus on the Family Singapore received SG$45,477 in grants from the larger American organisation.[34] In contrast, it received over SG$1 million from donations and fees recovered through its impact programs and services.[34]

Management

Past and present presidents of the organisation include:

  • Tan Thuan Seng (2002–2007)
  • Joanna Koh-Hoe (2007–2012)
  • Lim Yu-Ming (2012-2013)
  • Joanna Koh-Hoe (2013-current)

The organisation underwent restructuring in 2012, and no longer has a president as the head of the organisation. Jason Wong, former Singapore Prisons Service deputy director and lobby group Honour Singapore board member,[35][36] came on board as Chairman in October 2013.[37]

Prior to the appointment of this unpaid role, Jason Wong also served as the chief executive officer of Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) offering rehabilitation to inmates and ex-offenders. During his tenure, he initiated the Yellow Ribbon Project, launched in 2004 to help reintegrate ex-inmates and their families into society. Later, being posted to the then-MCYS with a portfolio in child-protection services, he initiated the Dads for Life movement in 2009 to encourage active-fathering.[38]

Awards and recognition

The Work-Life Leadership Award was conferred to Mrs. Joanna Koh-Hoe, President of Focus on the Family Singapore Ltd in 2010. In 2010 and 2012, Focus on the Family Singapore received the Work-Life Excellence Award and the inaugural Sustained Work-Life Excellence Award in 2014 in recognition of the organisation’s success in promoting flexibility and work-life harmony.[39]

References

  1. ^ Long, Susan (2 September 2014). "Lim Siong Guan: Superman, Yoda, change crusader". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Our Mission & Story". Focus on the Family Singapore. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  3. ^ "FOTF About Us". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 18 September 2006.
  4. ^ "Global Outreach". www.focusonthefamily.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  5. ^ Siow, Li Sen (5 December 2008). "Online campaign leads to rethink at DBS". The Business Times. Fri. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  6. ^ "FOTF About Us". Focus on the Family. 9 February 2004. Archived from the original on 9 February 2004. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  7. ^ Tan, Theresa (8 October 2017). "A rare hug from daddy during special visit to prison". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018.
  8. ^ hermes (8 October 2017). "A rare hug from daddy during special visit to prison". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Sexuality 101". The Straits Times. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Programmes and Services". Focus on the Family Singapore. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  11. ^ Ong, Dailin (4 September 2009). "A new spark to the issue". Today. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  12. ^ a b Tan, T. "MOE tightens vetting of sexuality education", The Straits Times, Singapore, 22 April 2009.
  13. ^ Yeo, S.L. & Liew, H. "Ministry picks groups to teach sexuality education", The Straits Times, Singapore, 29 April 2010.
  14. ^ "Programmes and Services". Focus on the Family Singapore. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  15. ^ hermes (18 February 2018). "Still dating my spouse: How 4 married couples carve out time for each other". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  16. ^ "有了孩子 夫妻还需约会吗". 早报. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  17. ^ Lee, Pearl (8 October 2014). "Former HCI students want school to suspend sexuality education workshop". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018.
  18. ^ Azman, Azim (8 October 2014). "Hwa Chong student's post over 'sexist' relationship workshop goes viral". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  19. ^ "17-year-old JC girl gives Focus on the Family the tongue-lashing they deserve for their pathetic gender stereotypes". Mothership.sg. 7 October 2014.
  20. ^ Fang, Joy (8 October 2014). "Ministries, HCI studying feedback on Focus on the Family Singapore workshop". Today. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014.
  21. ^ "FOTFS Clarifies I'ts UNcomplicated program". family.org.sg. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  22. ^ Lee, Pearl (10 October 2014). "Focus on the Family defends relationship workshop, says most students rated it well". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018.
  23. ^ "An Open Letter from Shaunti Feldhahn in response to the Focus on the Family Singapore school program controversy" - Shaunti Feldhahn". Shaunti Feldhahn. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016.
  24. ^ "Author cited in Focus on the Family Singapore pamphlet responds to controversy". The Straits Times. 10 October 2014.
  25. ^ "Female brains aren't pink, and male brains aren't blue". The Straits Times. 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  26. ^ Lee, Pearl (8 October 2014). "MOE: Relationship workshop by Focus on the Family Singapore to cease by end-2014". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018.
  27. ^ "Facilitators of Focus on the Family Singapore workshop 'ineffective': HCI principal". Today. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  28. ^ "focus on the family to hold 'reparative therapy' seminar in singapore". Fridae. 20 November 2003. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  29. ^ "Taiwan Leads Ban on Gay Conversion Therapy". ricemedia.co. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  30. ^ "Counselling". Focus on the Family Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Petition to get Adam Lambert out of countdown". Today. 26 November 2015.
  32. ^ hermesauto (27 November 2015). "Adam Lambert says Singapore show will be 'thoughtful and sophisticated'; counter petition launched to keep concert". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  33. ^ hermes (3 December 2015). "National events must avoid polarising society". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  34. ^ a b Focus on the Family Singapore. Focus on the Family Singapore Stewardship Report 2011 Archived 8 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Oh, my old Singapore". The Straits Times. 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016.
  36. ^ "Honour Singapore addresses online flak for its Christian board members". The Straits Times. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018.
  37. ^ "Stewardship Report 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  38. ^ hermes (16 April 2018). "The Life Interview with Focus on the Family chairman Jason Wong: Proud to be a family man". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  39. ^ Work Life Excellence Award Archived 18 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 13 July 2010.
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