Fathers can also forge good communication with families by being actively involved in all children's activities. Communication can be established at every opportunity to interact with childrenJakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) emphasizes that father is like a pillar of support that can protect the family's health and well-being.
"Father's involvement in parenting is as good as (that of the) mother's that recognizes and responds to the children's needs. Fathers have a very important role because the completion of children's care requires fathers' participation," the agency's deputy for family welfare and family empowerment, Nopian Andusti, stated here, Thursday.
Andusti remarked that both parents play an equal role in providing care for their children. In this case, the father does not only play the role of a breadwinner but also as a guardian of health of the mother and child.
The involvement of fathers in parenting has started since the period of pregnancy from the time to accompany mothers to checking pregnancy and during childbirth. At birth, fathers are expected to take care of the baby by bathing or simply changing diapers, Andusti stated.
During the breastfeeding phase, fathers can be involved in seeking information on all matters related to complementary feeding (MPASI) and provide support for mothers when children have difficulty eating, he remarked.
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"Fathers can also forge good communication with families by being actively involved in all children's activities. Communication can be established at every opportunity to interact with children," Andusti said.
He expressed optimism that the importance of the father's role can be disseminated to all parties in society, especially to the prospective bride and groom, to clear the air on assumptions regarding the mother's role in taking care of the household.
"I remind BKKBN's field officers, family planning extension workers, and family planning field officers to disseminate (information on) the understanding of fathers' role in the family to the community. Father's role in the family is no less important than the mother's," he emphasized.
Child development consultant specialist doctor from the Central General Hospital Dr. Kariadi Semarang Fitri Hartanto remarked that both parents should have a close relationship with their children to achieve various goals in educating the children within the family environment.
In strengthening attachment within the family, mothers can provide exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding to the child. Parenting can provide a sense of security for children in addition to preventing stunting.
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This can be strengthened by the involvement of fathers to encourage financial improvements to meet the nutritional needs of children as well as emotional support for mothers to produce breast milk in good quantities.
"The good formation of a child's personality will be achieved if the father and mother, as parents, can carry out their duties and roles well," Hartanto, who also served as head of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Central Java Branch, said.
Meanwhile, Astra's Health and CSR Program Manager Yogi Lasril noted that as a partner of the government, his company also encouraged the improvement of public health at all ages. For now, his side has started focusing on children in Islamic boarding schools.
Lasril is committed to supporting the BKKBN in alleviating nutritional problems in the nation's children, such as reducing stunting through clean water and sanitation programs and conducting stunting interventions in several districts and cities.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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