Professor Huynh Van Son: Spending quality time with family is an investment that never loses.

Professor Huynh Van Son stated that when the family foundation is strong, individuals are better able to adapt to social changes. (Photo: NVCC)

That is the opinion of Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, shared with TheGioi and Viet Nam Newspaper on the occasion of International Family Day (May 15).

Family is the "cradle" of personality

In today's era with many changes in lifestyle and social values, how do you define "family" to suit the modern context while still maintaining core values?

Family in the modern context is still a system of affection - responsibility - development, where each member finds love, protection, shaping of life values ​​and motivation to grow up.

Love must go hand in hand with responsibility; affection goes hand in hand with the development of each person, each individual and the whole family. Even though society changes, the family is still a “home” in both the literal and figurative sense - a place where each person is nurtured both physically and mentally. That home is warm enough, protective enough, attractive enough, alluring enough, enough to remind each individual to live, to live responsibly…

Family plays an irreplaceable role regardless of the development of each individual and the whole society, because it is the first and most lasting place to form personality, adjust behavior, and develop emotions. When the family foundation is solid, individuals are able to adapt better to social changes, and further contribute to building a humane and sustainable society. Family not only helps us grow up but also, to some extent, promotes perfection, constant effort, and determination to live well.

According to you, how does family influence the personality formation, psychological and social development of each member, from children to adults?

Family is the “cradle” of personality and leaves deep impressions in the mind of each individual. The first values ​​of love, honesty, responsibility, patience… are all sown in the family environment.

A child growing up with proper care and civilized behavior from parents will form positive and stable behavioral models in life. Personal relationships in life are also deeply "projected" from the initial and long-term influences from the family.

Not only children, adults are also deeply influenced by the family. That is, emotional balance, the ability to overcome crises, and the way to resolve conflicts all reflect how deeply the "family culture" has permeated. It can be said that the family is the first and continuous "social rehearsal" place for each person to live, to survive and to develop.

Society is increasingly developing and modernizing, leading to changes in traditional family structures and values. Which values ​​still need to be preserved and promoted, and which new elements need to be built to make families stronger?

Changes in traditional family structures and values ​​are real. But we need to preserve core values ​​such as unconditional love, mutual respect, responsibility to ourselves and our families, perseverance through challenges, devotion and sacrifice. These are the foundational values ​​that every era needs and every family needs.

In addition, modern families need new elements such as respect for individuality and differences, multi-generational communication skills, the ability to adapt to change, the ability to adjust and reconcile, the courage to accept and make positive impacts. A happy, sustainable family today not only requires care, but also sharing, open dialogue and active companionship in daily life and orientation for the future.

Need "glue" between members

In the context of increasingly developing technology, many people spend more time on social networks than on family, how do you assess this impact? And how to balance?

Technology is a useful tool, but if left unchecked, it can easily alienate people from each other even in their own homes. Every minute we spend “online” with the virtual world but “offline” with our loved ones is a time when the family bond is eroded. It can only be said that a certain group of people are spending more time on social media than on their families, and this must change.

"Love is not just a feeling, but also a specific action every day, regularly, continuously."

To balance, first of all, each person or each family needs to set the right priorities: spending quality time with family is an investment that never loses money or needs to be calculated. Shared meals, conversations without electronic devices, simple but affectionate picnics, specific activities but full of experiences together, needing each other… will be the real “glue” between members.

Balance is not about equalizing, nor is it about subtracting, filling in the gaps, but about harmonious awareness, positive attitude and concrete, real action through behavior and dedication.

What do you think about the challenges that young families are facing today, especially economic pressures, divorce, or generation gaps?

Some young families are suffering from many multi-dimensional pressures such as unstable economy, fast pace of life, high social expectations, self-pressure, weak internal strength, weak cohesion... leading to conflicts, tension, stress, discord, and even breakdown. The generation gap is also deepened due to differences in information reception and life values, leading to breakdown.

To overcome, it takes a lot of adjustment but can pay attention to factors such as knowing how to listen and respect differences; sharing burdens and responsibilities in the family; building skills to resolve conflicts in a civilized manner; being patient, harmonizing little by little through effort and hard work.

Families cannot avoid “small storms”, but if each member holds hands and goes through them, the “house” will be more stable. At that time, the family will be the place we really need, really need to protect, cultivate, and embellish…

On the occasion of International Family Day (May 15), what advice do you have for Vietnamese families today to strengthen good values, build lasting happiness and overcome challenges in modern life?

International Family Day is a special occasion but as mentioned, every day we must put family in our mind. Besides, we hope that every Vietnamese family realizes that love is not only an emotion, but also a specific action every day, regularly and continuously.

At the same time, respecting differences and adjusting the ego to harmonize is a mature and wise way to love. Spending time with family is never redundant, no matter how busy or tired you are. Sacrificing for family means sacrificing for yourself, for what you have chosen, what we have chosen.

Every sincere word, every positive emotion, every loving action is a brick that builds a solid home amidst the many changes of life. Family is the "peaceful harbor" that everyone needs, and also the "launch pad" for each person to fly far on the journey of life. Therefore, wholeheartedly from awareness, attitude to action to build a family is not only a responsibility but also a choice of each of us.

Thank you!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/gs-huynh-van-son-danh-thoi-gian-chat-luong-cho-gia-dinh-la-khoan-dau-tu-khong-bao-gio-lo-314323.html