International Day of Families

International Day of Families History

International Day of Families is dedicated to honouring and strengthening the bonds that families share worldwide. This observance was first introduced by the United Nations in 1993, with its primary objective being to raise awareness of the diverse and vital role that families play in social development.

The history of International Day of Families dates back to the initial proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/237 of 20th September 1993. This proclamation is in line with the objectives of the International Year of the Family in 1994, which emphasised the essential role of families in nurturing sustainable societies. Each year, the UN designates a theme focusing on a specific aspect of family life, from intergenerational solidarity to work-life balance and gender equality. These themes often inspire a range of events, campaigns, and activities across the UK, including school programmes, community workshops, and family fun days, to celebrate the diverse nature of families.

International Day of Families serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and maintaining strong family connections. The observance encourages families in the UK and around the globe to celebrate their uniqueness, share their challenges, and strengthen the bonds that unite them. International Day of Families is celebrated on the 15th of May every year.

International Day of Families facts

• The theme for International Day of Families in 2023 was Demographic Trends and Families.
  In 2022, the theme was Families and Urbanization.
• The UK's fertility rate has decreased over the past few decades, with couples having fewer children on average. In 2019, the fertility rate was 1.65 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1.
• Marriage rates in the UK have been steadily decreasing since the 1970s, with more people cohabiting or remaining single. However, since same-sex marriage was legalized in 2014, the number of marriages has increased slightly in recent years.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day of Families

Top things to do in the UK for International Day of Families

• Spend time with your family. Go on vacation, visit an amusement park, find something that everyone in the family can enjoy.
• Take a trip to Bath for Family Fun Day at the Helbourne Museum. The event offers a range of activities for families, including storytelling, puppetry, arts and crafts, and games.
• Check out the Family Art and Craft Workshops at the Whitworth Art Gallery. This event, held in Manchester, offers a range of art and craft activities for families, including printing, collage, and sculpture.