I strongly disagree with policies that discriminate against single mothers. Two policies stand out for me. The first is the one reported today where single mothers do not qualify for the working mothers relief and maid relief. The second, is that single mothers are not allowed to apply directly to HDB to buy subsidised flats. Who does not want to be in a happy marriage and to be in a complete family? Which single mother would choose to be a single mother instead of having a loving husband by her side, and to have a caring father for her child? It cannot be easy to struggle as a single mother. Some are lucky enough to have extended families to help, but what about those who dont? The Government cannot just rely on telling single mums to rely on their own parents as a solution. DPM Tharman said that many policies are to support married women who remain in the workforce and raise their children within the context of marriage. The schemes reflect the prevailing societal norm where marriage is the first step towards family formation. Marriage may be the first step to family formation but not everyone is lucky in that way. Government policies should in fact be there to protect those that are not able to achieve the happy life, the fairy tale of marriage, even as they are promoting it. Having policies to help single mothers is NOT going to encourage people to be single mothers, if this is what the Government fears. Nobody chooses to give up the option of having a complete family as a first choice. And moreover, societal norms have changed. The older generation may have viewed single parents as taboo, a shame, but they are more likely to elicit sympathy from a younger generation. Policies should also change to reflect these shifting norms.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 05:39:49 +0000
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