HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
香港立法局
28 June 1989
一九八九年六月二十八日
60
children. This need not happen if we have in place sufficient properly run after- school care centres staffed by experienced child-minders and tutors. Instead of idling at home or running around the streets, children can attend these centres after school to enjoy communal life with other children and receive proper guidance in their play and work activities under a recreational cum tutorial environment. I am aware that a number of voluntary agencies have started operating such after-school care services on a limited basis. However this is not enough. The service being such an invaluable one for working parents, I am of the opinion that the Administration ought to take the lead and consider providing the same extensively on a subsidized basis.
When we talk about services for working parents, we should not simply address our minds to matters which cater for the physical well-being of the child. It is also of paramount importance to provide services which will assist parents to deal with the psychological and emotional needs of children. Parents who both work usually have little time for their children. Some meet their children only a few hours in a day if at all, some meet their children only once a week or even less. How to maintain and enhance the parent-child relationship within such time constraints is most important. Parents who return home after a hard day's work feel justified to indulge in entertainment of their choice like horse-racing and mahjong playing. They have little time and no energy for their children. Some who have had a rough day at work may even find relief in venting their temper on their children. On the other hand, the children have waited many hours for their parents to return. They legitimately expect to receive loving care and attention from their parents and when the same is not forthcoming, their disappointment must be great. We all know that child care does not stop at physical care and materialistic provision such as food, clothing, housing and toys. Child care must include understanding, love, care and guidance for the child. Children's feelings are particularly sensitive and require constant and patient nuturing. Children require a lot of understanding from their parents during the various stages of their development. Even the busiest of parents must make time for that. In this regard, family life education programmes are most important. In the past, our programmes have covered themes such as "Honour Your Parents" and "Love and Care, Help Building Up a Happy Family". May I suggest that as a service to parents, particularly working parents, the next theme ought to be "Understand Your Children". I believe that it is of great importance that parents should accept that they have the responsibility to communicate with, understand, care for and guide their children. In particular, working parents should be educated as to the ways and skills of carrying out that responsibility within the limited time they have with their children. Other than programmes through the mass media, seminars, talks
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