Global pop icon Rihanna has spoken candidly about how the legacy of her late father has fundamentally shaped her approach to raising her young children, offering insight into the profound influence familial bonds and childhood experiences have on parenting decisions. The singer, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be mother of three shared that her father’s recent passing in May at age 70 not only marked an emotional chapter in her life but also sparked reflection on the values she seeks to pass down to her sons—RZA, age three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Rihanna described how she often envisioned the role her father would have played as a grandfather. “I’ve always dreamed of what type of grandfather he would be to them,” she shared. While her father, Ronald Fenty, is no longer present, the way he parented has left a deep imprint on her own style. According to Rihanna, her father instilled in her a spirit of adventure—from running around barefoot to enjoying nature—a spirit she hopes to cultivate in her children. “He prepared me for having two boys, really. The adventurous side of me, the outside side of me, the daredevil—it’s how I want to raise them. I want them to be outside and in nature. No tablet babies,” she said.
This perspective, emphasizing outdoor play, freedom, and exposure to nature, stands in contrast to the prevalent global trend, including in Thailand, of increasing digital device use among children—even from toddler years. Many Thai parents, especially in urban areas such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, have turned to screens and tablets to occupy children, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic when online education became a necessity. With mounting evidence from research studies worldwide about the negative impacts of excessive screen time on children’s development, Rihanna’s stance echoes expert recommendations frequently promoted by pediatricians and child development specialists.
Rihanna’s own childhood, credited to her father for its spontaneity and warmth, inspires her current parenting. The singer described “just running around outside, barefoot, free” as the most memorable part of growing up, a time before the digital era when children’s play was mainly outdoors. Such memories resonate not only with international audiences but also with Thai readers, many of whom recall similar upbringings in rural provinces, where lifelong friendships were formed in rice paddies, local parks, or bustling communal playgrounds—often barefoot, just like Rihanna.
Notably, the father-daughter relationship was not without its complexities. In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, alleging his use of their surname “Fenty” was an attempt to capitalize on her rapidly growing business ventures. The dispute was made public, but two years later she sought to dismiss the suit, signaling the reconciliation that followed. Their renewed connection brought their family closer before his passing, and in 2022, when Rihanna was expecting her first child, her father openly celebrated her transition into motherhood. “She’s always wanted to have kids and she’s going to be an amazing mom,” he declared in an interview, clearly proud of her new chapter.
The notion of family, particularly moving past estrangement towards reconciliation and support, is deeply significant to Thai society, where filial piety and strong intergenerational ties form core cultural values. Stories of healing family rifts, as illustrated by Rihanna and her late father, carry an added cultural poignancy in Thailand, especially as more families negotiate modern stresses around career, distance, and value shifts.
The singer’s revelation is also timely against the backdrop of current debates on children’s digital device use. Thai medical experts and educators have increasingly raised concerns about “tablet babies,” a term for children exposed to electronic devices at a young age. A 2023 research paper published in the Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health emphasized that children with high screen time before age five are at greater risk of language delays, attention deficits, and sleep disturbances (source). The World Health Organization also recommends that children aged two to four years should not have more than one hour of sedentary screen time per day (WHO guidelines). In line with international guidance, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has urged parents to encourage outdoor play and limit electronic gadget exposure for healthy development (Thai MoPH press release).
Rihanna’s aversion to “tablet babies” and preference for nature-based parenting offers a powerful, celebrity-endorsed affirmation of the same advice promoted by Thai health authorities. “We see a rising issue of digital dependence and sedentary lifestyle in Thai youth, which has implications for obesity, mental health, and social development,” noted one senior official from the Ministry of Education. Internationally, and in Thailand, this “digital childhood” is partly attributed to urbanization, limited green spaces, parental workload, and escalating access to cheap mobile devices.
Yet, recreating Rihanna’s described childhood is increasingly challenging for urban Thai families. With most living in high-rise apartments, access to safe outdoor play areas can be limited, and the perceived necessity of digital literacy skills adds to parents’ uncertainty. Education experts at Chulalongkorn University recommend that, even within city environments, families seek communal playgrounds, participate in sports clubs, and take children to public parks such as Lumpini Park or Suan Rot Fai, to provide much-needed green space experiences.
Rihanna’s reflection on her father’s influence also raises broader questions about modern parenting. To what extent should past family traditions be maintained in an era marked by technology and changing lifestyles? Thai sociologists note a cultural trend where urban parents are increasingly blending tradition with modernity, incorporating digital learning while striving to preserve physical activity and family bonding. Such hybrid models are emerging in Bangkok’s private schools, which combine cutting-edge technology with outdoor activities and life skills, attempting to shape well-rounded future citizens (Bangkok Post Education report).
Regarding the future, the international spotlight on Rihanna’s parenting values could steer public discourse and possibly inspire policy-makers, teachers, and parents to re-prioritize outdoor and nature-based play. The singer’s story reminds us that, while gadgets have their place, childhood joy and adventure often begin in the simplicity of the natural world—a lesson equally relevant in Thai society, especially as it races toward hyper-modernity.
What, then, are the actionable steps Thai parents can take? First, limit children’s exposure to screens by setting clear boundaries and providing alternative activities. Second, prioritize time spent outdoors, whether in nearby parks, temple grounds, or weekend trips to national parks such as Khao Yai or Doi Inthanon. Third, foster adventurous play that promotes creativity, resilience, and physical health. Fourth, value family storytelling and reminisce about the joys of simpler times, reinforcing cultural identity and familial bonds.
As Rihanna’s experience powerfully demonstrates, the values passed down by parents and grandparents often leave a lasting legacy—one that shapes not just individuals, but also communities and cultures. Her decision to root her parenting in the lessons learned from her late father may encourage Thai families to reflect on their own traditions, and to nurture the next generation with courage, creativity, and compassion in an ever-changing world.
For further reading, see the original article on Daily Mail and the cited web resources above.