Assessing Singaporeans’ Attitudes towards Single Unwed Parents

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the statistical and survey indicators that are used to assess Singaporeans’ attitudes towards single unwed parents; and (b) whether annual data from such indicators is available for the past five years.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: We do not conduct annual surveys as attitudes and sentiments do not fluctuate frequently. Our occasional surveys show that the majority of Singaporeans continue to believe that parenthood should take place within marriage.

The Government empathises with the needs of unwed parents and their children. This is why single unwed parents are already eligible for all Government benefits that support the growth and development of their children. These include subsidies for education, healthcare, childcare, infant care, foreign domestic worker levy concession and the Child Development Account.