Family Cohesion Key To Shaping Future Generations, Say Experts

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Family Day, observed annually on April 16, is widely regarded by experts in family counselling, psychology, education, media, and economics as an important occasion to renew awareness of the family's central role in maintaining social stability and shaping future generations.

In light of rapid social, economic, and technological transformations, specialists stressed that strengthening family cohesion has become an urgent priority requiring both institutional collaboration and internal family awareness. They noted that stability begins within the family through open dialogue, mutual understanding, and relationships grounded in affection and compassion.

Mental health is identified as a key pillar in sustaining healthy family dynamics, while financial awareness and proper planning contribute significantly to reducing stress and ensuring stability. Early childhood upbringing is also considered critical, as it establishes the values of belonging and reinforces emotional attachment within the family from a young age.

Similarly, schools and media play a complementary role in reinforcing these values by promoting positive models and raising community awareness, alongside workshops and training programmes that aim to enhance individual skills and preparedness. Experts talked about several pressing challenges affecting family cohesion, including rising divorce rates, delayed marriage, and increasing digital addiction, all of which require comprehensive strategies based on awareness and early intervention.

Mariam al-Zadi, content creator in self-development field, explained that achieving balance between work and family life is not about equal distribution of time, but rather about prioritising effectively and ensuring meaningful emotional and mental presence within the family.

Salem al-Anzi, deputy executive director of the Family Consulting Center (Wifaq) stressed the growing importance of preventive institutional frameworks, particularly through programmes such as premarital counselling, parenting education, and family guidance, which aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to build balanced relationships. He noted that while these initiatives have improved awareness and reduced the gaps between expectations and reality, evolving challenges require more flexible, sustainable approaches with expanded digital outreach and systematic impact evaluation.

Dr Issa al-Harr, family and education advisor, stressed the importance of developing specialised, practical content that addresses real family issues, such as managing marital conflicts and balancing work and family responsibilities, rather than relying solely on theoretical approaches. He further stressed the effectiveness of interactive workshops and family coaching programmes in enhancing awareness and fostering stable relationships, particularly when they focus on applied life skills.

Similarly, Dr Abdulrahman al-Abdullah, behavioural therapy specialist, called for a structured and conscious use of technology among children, rejecting both complete prohibition and unrestricted access. He emphasized the need for clear guidelines on screen time, designated device-free periods, and directing technology use toward beneficial purposes such as learning and skill development, while noting that parental behaviour serves as the most influential model. He also identifies early warning signs of digital addiction, including loss of control over usage, anger when devices are removed, social withdrawal, and weakened family interaction, noting that such indicators require early intervention.

Sheikh Dr Ahmed al-Buainain, director of the Family Reconciliation Office, explained that divorce is rarely caused by a single factor but rather results from a combination of issues, including a weak system of values, poor partner selection, negative family interference, economic and social pressures, and the influence of social media.

He stresses that prevention begins within the family through strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding, supported by institutions such as family counselling centres and reconciliation offices, although delayed help-seeking and resistance to compromise remain significant obstacles.

Dr Taleb al-Adbah, mass communications lecturer at Qatar University, pointed out the influential role of media in promoting family values, noting that while traditional media in Qatar reflects cultural and Islamic values through family-oriented programming, it faces increasing challenges due to digital transformation, the rise of fast-paced visual content, algorithm-driven messaging, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping media output.

Nasser al-Marri, educational expert, explained that schools strengthen children's connection to their families by integrating family-related values into both curricular and extracurricular activities. This includes encouraging discussions about parental roles, respect, and responsibility, as well as involving parents in school events.

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