SINGAPORE: More singles want to get married and more married couples want to have two to three children. This is according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). It also showed that the Baby Bonus and extended paid maternity leave were influential in persuading couples to have more children.
Two—month old Keia is the first child of Brenda and Sean Goh. The couple hopes to have two more children.
Brenda works full—time as a teacher, but she is confident they can manage three children as they have plenty of support.
Brenda said: "So far, to be fair, we are very fortunate. We have a very good helper. She is very experienced. My parents, Sean’s parents — they are very supportive.
"Like currently, what happens now is that I leave for school very early. Usually I leave the house by 6.30am. Then about 8am to 9am, my mom would come over, help to look after the baby, while Imelda (helper) does the housework."
Eight out of 10 of 3,006 married respondents in the 2007 survey wanted to have two or three children, compared to the slightly more than the six out of 10 couples in the 2004 survey.
The Marriage and Parenthood Study also found that more singles want to get married. It found that 85 per cent of 3,015 singles polled wanted to get married, up from 74 per cent in the last survey in 2004.
Mothers still see themselves as the primary caregivers for their children while juggling their careers. Because of this, one expert does not expect the hopes expressed in the survey to result in a higher national birth rate.
Sociologist Paulin Straughan said the survey shows that marriage and having children continue to be ideals in Singapore.
Professor Paulin Straughan said: "It is very hard to imagine the family triumphing over all the other demands for a woman’s time. Many feel they are unable to take a break from work without slipping down the corporate ladder, so they step back from their family instead."
Financial security is the number one factor respondents gave when considering how many children they would have.
When the 2004 survey was conducted, Singapore was struggling out of a recession left behind by SARS, compared to last year’s booming economy.
But with this year’s soaring oil prices and rising inflation, couples may think twice before expanding their families. — CNA/vm
