After a few days in the spotlight in the papers, the plight of single mums has now unfortunately taken a backseat, or maybe has gone under the carpet, eclipsed by the momentous IR, previously known as 'casino', discussion.
I wonder how many people actually think about how hard it must be for single mums. Wish society here could be more understanding about their situation. Anyone who has had a child would know that it is tough having to care for the child all on your own. And these mums often have to do it with little or no family support. Worse, mother (unmarried) + child does not = a 'family unit' under HDB guidelines and they have to apply for special permission to buy an flat. It is the last thing they should be made to do, what with all their worries about how they are going to bring up the child, manage their finances, cope with work life, etc. If I'm not wrong, the mother-child bond is seen as the foundation of life in many traditions.
I think it is brave and admirable for single mums to make the decision to have the child, given the rather unforgiving and judgemental reactions they are likely to get from others. To some, they are people who have 'made alternative lifestyle choices'. True, being a single mum in Singapore is certainly 'alternative', but what is their other alternative? Aborting the child? What does that do for the 'pro-family' ethos we want here?
It is sad that it is the single mums themselves who have to get together to ask for more benefits. And it is the women MPs who are looking into support for these mums.
At least I have the option to go back to work if I want/have to. For many single mums, there is no option but to work.
I wonder how many people actually think about how hard it must be for single mums. Wish society here could be more understanding about their situation. Anyone who has had a child would know that it is tough having to care for the child all on your own. And these mums often have to do it with little or no family support. Worse, mother (unmarried) + child does not = a 'family unit' under HDB guidelines and they have to apply for special permission to buy an flat. It is the last thing they should be made to do, what with all their worries about how they are going to bring up the child, manage their finances, cope with work life, etc. If I'm not wrong, the mother-child bond is seen as the foundation of life in many traditions.
I think it is brave and admirable for single mums to make the decision to have the child, given the rather unforgiving and judgemental reactions they are likely to get from others. To some, they are people who have 'made alternative lifestyle choices'. True, being a single mum in Singapore is certainly 'alternative', but what is their other alternative? Aborting the child? What does that do for the 'pro-family' ethos we want here?
It is sad that it is the single mums themselves who have to get together to ask for more benefits. And it is the women MPs who are looking into support for these mums.
At least I have the option to go back to work if I want/have to. For many single mums, there is no option but to work.
Comments