Rejected by ST Forum
Reasons linked to growing number of singles
16 March 2000
I laud the Ministry of Community Development in its efforts to target procreation polices at a broader base of Singaporean women to deal with the problem of falling fertility rate (ST, Mar 16).
I may offer two reasons why more Singaporeans today are remaining single.
In Japan, the number of women remaining single is swelling. What has partly contributed to this factor is the growing number of Japanese men marrying outside the country.
Generally, women in Japan today have made much progress in society and many are moving quickly up the corporate ladder. These women seek potential soul mates matching in social status. On the other hand, men cannot live with the changed status of women and decide to find wives outside Japan.
This phenomenon is descriptive of Singapore's situation. More women in Singapore today receive tertiary education compared to ten years ago. Reflectively, the percentage of single women from the ranks of the tertiary-educated is higher compared to the percentage of single women with secondary education and below.
Higher economic standards and demands for gender equality have lead to equal opportunities of education for both sexes. Naturally, women excel in studies. This has been proven by scientific research, which shows that women are naturally smarter and more academically inclined than men. Yet in Asia's social context, men are expected to possess better education, leading to what is called a "social contradiction".
The second area in which the government could explore for answers is the risk-averse nature and the "fear" of failure among Singaporeans.
Marriage is a risk. A breakdown in marriage is tantamount to failure. Singaporeans have long grown accustomed to an environment where the consequences of failing school examinations are dreadful and business risks are best to be avoided, and may display the same mentality where tying the knot is concerned.
Childbirth is also a risk. A few Singaporean women I know dread the complications of pregnancy and have put aside their plans to get married or have a child. According to medical research, women age 35 and older has increased risk of giving birth to a child with genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Knowing this, mothers hopefuls who past their 30s may opt to abandon idea the instead.
Tan Kian Hwee Melvin