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[h=1]Having babies must be the prime aim[/h]
Published on May 1, 2012
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<!--close .storyLeft-->IT IS unfortunate that the silent threat of falling birth rates to national survival has been ignored because we prefer to focus on more immediate concerns.
But as last Wednesday's report ('Population will shrink from 2025 without new citizens') noted, this year may be pivotal in turning the tide of falling Singaporean replacement rates.
Government measures to entice more families to have children do not appear to have worked, so we must stop framing this conundrum only in economic terms.
Having and raising children involve time, finances and personal sacrifices, and this is the nub of Singapore's problem.
Because economic viability is the supreme goal, an acute play-it-safe mentality has arisen, fuelled by a fundamental fear of personal economic failure.
How many husbands are pulling long hours daily, with this innate fear that if they do not work hard, they might lose their jobs or miss out on that promotion?
As a mother with young children, I am only too familiar with the stories told by fellow mums about husbands who leave for work before their children wake up, and reach home after the kids are in bed.
This is in sharp contrast to the West. While living in Canada, I was amazed to see many families heading for the beach on weekdays at about 4pm. This was possible because many parents report for work at 7am and leave by 3.30pm.
If the Government wants to seriously tackle the issue of low birth rates, it must consider the cultural norms that are shaping these important decisions.
In the end, the reason for Singapore's failure, if we fail, may not be falling productivity levels but an inability to replenish ourselves.
It is crucial to review how we view work and family life now.
If we succeed in reversing our low birth rate, we will be stronger and more viable than most nations, simply because we have more young people in the workforce.
Catherine Ho Shull (Ms)
Published on May 1, 2012
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Purchase this article for republicationBuy SPH photos<!--close .storyLeft-->IT IS unfortunate that the silent threat of falling birth rates to national survival has been ignored because we prefer to focus on more immediate concerns.
But as last Wednesday's report ('Population will shrink from 2025 without new citizens') noted, this year may be pivotal in turning the tide of falling Singaporean replacement rates.
Government measures to entice more families to have children do not appear to have worked, so we must stop framing this conundrum only in economic terms.
Having and raising children involve time, finances and personal sacrifices, and this is the nub of Singapore's problem.
Because economic viability is the supreme goal, an acute play-it-safe mentality has arisen, fuelled by a fundamental fear of personal economic failure.
How many husbands are pulling long hours daily, with this innate fear that if they do not work hard, they might lose their jobs or miss out on that promotion?
As a mother with young children, I am only too familiar with the stories told by fellow mums about husbands who leave for work before their children wake up, and reach home after the kids are in bed.
This is in sharp contrast to the West. While living in Canada, I was amazed to see many families heading for the beach on weekdays at about 4pm. This was possible because many parents report for work at 7am and leave by 3.30pm.
If the Government wants to seriously tackle the issue of low birth rates, it must consider the cultural norms that are shaping these important decisions.
In the end, the reason for Singapore's failure, if we fail, may not be falling productivity levels but an inability to replenish ourselves.
It is crucial to review how we view work and family life now.
If we succeed in reversing our low birth rate, we will be stronger and more viable than most nations, simply because we have more young people in the workforce.
Catherine Ho Shull (Ms)
