This seems to be a topic of concern for the PAP and Singapore's society in general. I'm sure many will start highlighting the poor communication and implementation of the government's policies regarding this problem. Lets all move on and start suggesting what we can do to help improve the situation.
Here are some of my thoughts regarding this.
Singapore is a stressful society to live in.
Making babies are not the top priority when living, standards of living, comfort is at risk. Why bring in a new born when you run the risk of being replaced by an FT before you even reach 40. The expected overtime, overworked, hectic lifestyle causes not only psychological trauma in wanting to have a newborn but also physical stresses that could cause low-sperm counts in men and maybe irregular menstrual cycle in women. From anecdotal accounts, most couples in Singapore seems to be able to conceive a baby while overseas. Which leads to this suggestion.
1) Giving paid vacation for newly weds. Give them time to make babies out of the stressful environment that is Singapore. Go to wide open spaces in Australia, US, Antarctica. PAP, could potentially organise a baby making tours just for couples and have couples councillors in the trip to assist in any problem that can arise.
Singapore has a largely Asian culture where monetary status is needs to be achieve before starting a family. You need to have a car/house/credit card/5-6Cs before any couple will start thinking of having a newborn. Perhaps, the government should start revamping the education system to destress more on the monetary achievements but more on the intellectual, philosophical side of life. Encourage volunteers, help out the needy. At the end of the day, introduce curriculum where everything is not black or white but shades of grey. Perhaps by educating our next generation, material wealth not be seen as being more important then psychological, mental health.
2) Introduce education material like Eric fromm's "to have or to be". Ivan Illich's "Deschooling society". Education should be the first step that the material world is not everything. You are not a failure if you are a mechanic, salesman, plumber but that is what you want to do in life and they provide a valid earning and contribute to society as well.
The law regarding fair work dismissal, is practically non-existent in Singapore. You hear story of pregnant women returning to work only to be dismissed. Or them being heavily suggested to quit.
3) Make AWARE focus more on unfair termination, discrimination against pregnant workers rather then just divorces. AWARE motive is to promote womens issue, why is it that getting unfairly treated during and after pregnancy is not on their main agenda?
There is always the stick.
You can only get so far in offering carrots. Someone once said they should stick the spurs on Singaporean's hide. Instead of giving baby bonus tax cuts its time to fine/tax couples/adults that doesn't have kid.
4)fine/tax adults that doesn't have a kid.
Implement a new fund, a child bearing fund, CBF, similar structure to the existing CPF. For about 10% of salary of an adult Singaporean's working life this will be deducted with employers contribution on top of this. This will continue until you have your first kid. Contribution to CBF might be reduced untill the third kid is born, in which case, the funds could be used for child related expenses, e.g. schooling, books, nappies etc. This will be subject to minimum sum so as to ensure a lump sum will not be withdrawn at a go. If an adult does not have a kid till the age of 60, this will be lumped together with the CPF and subject to the withdrawal criteria. This will provide a) adequate fundings to raise a kid, b)provide additional cash when an adult goes into retirement and has no children to take care of.
I hope we will have more suggestions coming from this beloved forum. And wish the PAP would implement some of these suggestions.
Here are some of my thoughts regarding this.
Singapore is a stressful society to live in.
Making babies are not the top priority when living, standards of living, comfort is at risk. Why bring in a new born when you run the risk of being replaced by an FT before you even reach 40. The expected overtime, overworked, hectic lifestyle causes not only psychological trauma in wanting to have a newborn but also physical stresses that could cause low-sperm counts in men and maybe irregular menstrual cycle in women. From anecdotal accounts, most couples in Singapore seems to be able to conceive a baby while overseas. Which leads to this suggestion.
1) Giving paid vacation for newly weds. Give them time to make babies out of the stressful environment that is Singapore. Go to wide open spaces in Australia, US, Antarctica. PAP, could potentially organise a baby making tours just for couples and have couples councillors in the trip to assist in any problem that can arise.
Singapore has a largely Asian culture where monetary status is needs to be achieve before starting a family. You need to have a car/house/credit card/5-6Cs before any couple will start thinking of having a newborn. Perhaps, the government should start revamping the education system to destress more on the monetary achievements but more on the intellectual, philosophical side of life. Encourage volunteers, help out the needy. At the end of the day, introduce curriculum where everything is not black or white but shades of grey. Perhaps by educating our next generation, material wealth not be seen as being more important then psychological, mental health.
2) Introduce education material like Eric fromm's "to have or to be". Ivan Illich's "Deschooling society". Education should be the first step that the material world is not everything. You are not a failure if you are a mechanic, salesman, plumber but that is what you want to do in life and they provide a valid earning and contribute to society as well.
The law regarding fair work dismissal, is practically non-existent in Singapore. You hear story of pregnant women returning to work only to be dismissed. Or them being heavily suggested to quit.
3) Make AWARE focus more on unfair termination, discrimination against pregnant workers rather then just divorces. AWARE motive is to promote womens issue, why is it that getting unfairly treated during and after pregnancy is not on their main agenda?
There is always the stick.
You can only get so far in offering carrots. Someone once said they should stick the spurs on Singaporean's hide. Instead of giving baby bonus tax cuts its time to fine/tax couples/adults that doesn't have kid.
4)fine/tax adults that doesn't have a kid.
Implement a new fund, a child bearing fund, CBF, similar structure to the existing CPF. For about 10% of salary of an adult Singaporean's working life this will be deducted with employers contribution on top of this. This will continue until you have your first kid. Contribution to CBF might be reduced untill the third kid is born, in which case, the funds could be used for child related expenses, e.g. schooling, books, nappies etc. This will be subject to minimum sum so as to ensure a lump sum will not be withdrawn at a go. If an adult does not have a kid till the age of 60, this will be lumped together with the CPF and subject to the withdrawal criteria. This will provide a) adequate fundings to raise a kid, b)provide additional cash when an adult goes into retirement and has no children to take care of.
I hope we will have more suggestions coming from this beloved forum. And wish the PAP would implement some of these suggestions.
