Starting a family and becoming a parent is challenging and fulfilling regardless of time period, yet as society and history enfolds, with the advancement of technology and continual development of our nation, the question one may ask is, is it easier to be a parent today in Singapore, compared to say 10-15 years ago?
This question can be examined from several different angles, and there may be differing views or perspectives on what makes parenthood easier or more difficult. As the African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Communities and societies can have both an indirect and direct influence and impact on parents raising children, specifically in a certain time and age. Such factors may include the average age people were getting married, or even when they starting to have children. These in turn could be affected or influenced by the family policies introduced or developed, as well as employment, education, childcare, baby bonus packages, etc. Yet at the same time, we cannot discount the impact of societal and technological advancements and developments.
At the turn of the millennium in year 2000, Singapore’s population was just over 4 million*. This has grown to 5.4 million in 2013 (with a projection of 6.9 million by 2030). In 2003, the average age for grooms was 29.1 and 26.6 for brides. By 2013, this had increased to 30.2 and 28.1 respectively. In 2000, the total fertility rate was 1.6 (or 44, 765 resident live births). In 2011, it had decreased to 1.2 (or 36,178 resident live births). Looking at these statistics, one may conclude that people are getting married later, and having children later, as well as less children per family. General reasons could be pursuance of education and advancement of career before settling down and starting a family. It could also be due to push factors such as costs of having children, namely childcare costs, caregiving and schooling. These are areas that have been increasingly addressed in the introduction by the government of the Baby Bonus package for families with children, first in 2001 and the latest 4th revision in 2013. From cash gifts and government matching in Child Development Accounts, to child tax reliefs and rebates, from childcare and maternity/paternity leave, to use of Medisave for delivery and fertility costs, all these have been put in place in the last 15 years to encourage married couples to have more children. The latest revision of the Baby Bonus Package factors in single mothers, adoptive parents, increased paternity benefits, and foreign domestic helper concessions, priority allocation of HDB flats, and enhanced Medisave and Medishield grants and coverage. On the surface, with these increased measures and incentives, it would seem that it is definitely easier to raise a child today.
Yet why is it that fertility rates and total births are decreasing in the past 10-15 years? Perhaps societal changes and technological advancements also have a part in the argument. To some parents or couples considering having children, raising a child in the technologically fast-paced world of ultra high-speed internet could be a monolithic challenge, what with the plethora of social media influence and internet-related temptations and addictions e.g. pornography, gaming, gambling, cyberbullying, etc. The pressures and stresses of children’s education could be another one, from choosing the best pre-school, joining parent volunteers groups to ensure a place in a top school, to enrolling your child in the best enrichment programs, interest groups, arts and sports outside of formal school time, to the detriment of young children’s natural development and enjoyment of their childhood. Or one could point to the “privileges” and “benefits” children have today, with the hiring of foreign domestic helpers, to personal chauffeuring service (think of the “I’m my children’s taxi” car decal), to private tuition teachers, the convenience of the “Ipad nanny,” and 24-hour cartoon cable networks.
Is it easier to be a parent today? The question is pretty much still up in the air. To each his or her own, as parenthood and family life can be such a personal and unique journey. There are factors that encourage and seem to make parenthood easier, yet there are also several unique challenges facing parents today compared to 10-15 years ago. Yet at the end of the day, hopefully the fulfilments and joys of being parents will far outweigh the challenges and difficulties.
Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Singapore
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/
Article published on New Age Parents e-magazine
