The International Day of Families is annually observed across the globe on 15th May to promote the awareness of the issues related to families and to educate the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
The theme of International Day of Families 2021 is “Families and New Technologies”.
The theme focuses on the impacts of the new technologies on the well-being of families.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/47/237 in 1993, and proclaimed the 15th May of every year as the International Day of Families.
ii.The first International Day of Families was observed on 15th May 1994.
Impacts of COVID-19 on Families:
i.The lockdown imposed due to the covid-19 pandemic has forced the people to stay home where the technology and virtual space became the dominant activity.
ii.The 2021 International Day of Families focuses on the key issues like health, education, children’s rights, gender equality, work-family balance and social inclusion.
Family trends:
i.The families across the globe are changing and becoming smaller since the single parent households are increasing.
ii.Around 65% of families are made of couples with children or couples living with children and extended family members like grandparents.
