Latest news with #InternationalDayOfFamilies
News24
18-05-2025
- General
- News24
A family we created
This past Thursday was International Day of Families. I will admit that this was news to me. I was under the impression that, as South Africa celebrates Family Day the Monday following Easter Sunday, most people, if not all, celebrate as South Africa does. Before 1995, what we South Africans call Family Day was known as Easter Monday. This was changed by the government of the time for the purpose of including everyone in South Africa, regardless of religious affiliation. Families come in many different forms and the apartment block I currently reside in is one of the good kinds of family. Like in many residential areas, a WhatsApp group was created to share all kinds of information about all kinds of things. My first experience of a residential WhatsApp group happened a few years ago when I lived in a free-standing house. This group included many grown-up people living with their families. Serious people. People paying bonds. Wang tshwara (Do you understand)? Yeah, yeah, for the sake of keeping up with what was happening around me, I did check in on the group chats every now and then. But I will admit that I was not consistent and I did miss a few important mentions here and there. I really didn't care much. After all, I knew my stay was transient. The current group I'm part of is really fun and I am loving it. Many of the residents in my apartment building are young professionals. They (I say 'they', as I am like a skeleton resident and hardly partake) have managed to make the group entertaining. But this wasn't always the case – when the group was first started (about a year ago; the building is not more than two years old), this one family bickered a lot. Now I think the children have settled down. The chats are populated by people who have a great sharing spirit for real. My people are real neighbours. Not a week will go by without someone requesting something on the group. On a random Thursday, a message on the group comes from someone asking: 'Hi, anyone who has an extra onion to share?' This happened some weeks back. It stood out to me because I hadn't checked my WhatsApps for a while that day. When I came out of the lift to make my way to my unit, I noticed someone giving another person two onions. I didn't make much of it at the time and brushed it off as someone giving their friend vegetables. Because I know how lit the WhatsApp group is, I check in to see what is being said. So, I walk into my place, put my bags down, whip out my phone and settle in to touch base within the group. Then I saw the message that explained the onion exchange I had seen outside. At that very moment, I knew that this apartment block was like a family. The message thread continued: 'Bangladesh Market in the house lol.' With another saying: This feels like Chatsworth & Phoenix… borrow onions, sugar and tomatoes from the neighbours. Also gossiping early in the morning with PJs telling the neighbours stories. Star screwdrivers, hair irons and even batteries are shared among the inhabitants. Requests for herbs (both culinary and medicinal) feature in some of the threads. The latter mostly, and on Friday nights. Perhaps that's why the children are settled. It's nice to know that Johannesburg still has people like this living here. But I will admit it might be easy to be neighbourly because we live in the same building and are not out there in the treacherous open streets of this city. In volume 30 of the 2025 International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, a University of Cape Town research paper found that there is an alarming level of loneliness among young people. The conclusion of the research states: 'This study provides further evidence of the associations of loneliness with mental illness in South African youth, suggesting that group- and peer-based interventions aimed at supporting social connections, belonging, depression and anxiety are worth investigating in this region. Further research is needed to explore the longitudinal nature of these associations.' Family and the sense of belonging are very important and much needed.
News18
15-05-2025
- General
- News18
International Day Of Families 2025: Wishes, Quotes, History And Significance
Last Updated: International Day of Families 2025: The day seeks to raise global awareness about the challenges families face and promote initiatives that support their well-being, International Day Of Families 2025: Observed every year on May 15, International Day Of Families was established by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise family's pivotal role as the cornerstone of society. The day also seeks to raise global awareness about the challenges families face and promote initiatives that support their well-being and development. International Day of Families 2025: History The International Day of Families was officially declared by the United Nations in 1994, following a series of resolutions aimed at supporting the social and economic well-being of families worldwide. The groundwork for this observance was laid in December 1989, when the UN adopted Resolution 44/82, highlighting the importance of family stability. This commitment was further reinforced by Resolution 46/92 in December 1991, which emphasised the need to address the changing social and economic structures impacting families globally. Finally, on September 20, 1993, the General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/47/237, formally designating May 15 as the International Day of Families. The day serves to raise awareness of family-related issues and to celebrate the vital role families play in building cohesive, supportive, and resilient communities. International Day of Families 2025: Significance This day emphasises the importance of families in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all members. It serves as a platform to address the social, economic, and demographic challenges that families face globally, promoting the idea that strong families contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities. International Day of Families 2025: Wishes International Day of Families 2025: Quotes 'The world, we'd discovered, doesn't love you like your family loves you."– Louis Zamperini. 'No man has ever lived that had enough of children's gratitude or woman's love."– William Butler Yeats 'Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."– David Ogden Stiers. 'Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."– George Burns. 'Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.– Anthony Brandt. 'What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family."– Mother Teresa. 'Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family."– Peter Pearsall. 'There's nothing that makes you more insane than family."– Jim Butcher. 'Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!"– Albert Einstein 'Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches."– Wanda Hope Carter. Family – the heart of every happy life. Happy International Day of Families! Blessed to have a family that loves unconditionally. Families are the roots of love and the wings of dreams. Home is where my family is. Happy International Day of Families! #FamilyFirst Celebrating the beautiful chaos that is family. Family – my first love, my forever strength. Happy International Day of Families! Strong families build a strong world. A house is made of walls, a home is made of love. Together is our favourite place to be. Celebrating the people who make life truly worthwhile. Happy International Day of Families! Family: my first team, my forever strength. Here's to the little moments, big memories, and the people who make it all beautiful. Happy Family Day! Today, I pause to honour the love, laughter, and lessons my family has gifted me. Family is where life begins and where love never ends. Happy International Day of Families! The only place where life truly makes sense – is in the arms of family. #ForeverGrateful Cherishing the unbreakable bonds that hold us steady through every twist and turn. To the ones who walk with us through every season of life – this day is for you. Because of them, I never walk alone. Happy International Day of Families! To the people who make every day brighter and every burden lighter – thank you, family. Watch CNN-News18 here. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : International Day of Families lifestyle Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 15, 2025, 07:00 IST News lifestyle International Day Of Families 2025: Wishes, Quotes, History And Significance
