Yes, its another birthing issue, right after 2008's National Day Rally. The topic became widely discussed, in office, at coffee shops, on buses and trains and within families. It seems that the Government is doing all it can, in hopeful bids to bring up the birth statistics.
So, how helpful are the newly devised measures? Will birth rates shoot up with the introduction of these schemes (supposedly termed as "Aids")? What are the concerns Singaporeans face, that hinder the enlargement of a nucleus family?
Sometimes, we keep hearing newly-weds say the same old things for instance," we want to have 2 yrs of honey moon or 2-persons world, before we settle down with a kid". I suppose most newly weds will have the tendency to think this way, unless we are talking about those of a certain age or those who have been dating for like decades. I remember i used to be very kaypoh, telling friends to try for babies when they are mentally ready, and not when they are done with their 2yrs plans. Reasons being that I have seen many couples trying hard for their own kids for "god-knows-how-many-years", only to be disappointed months after months. Things dun necessary fall into places, as what you would wish for.
I do appreciate the fact that government is doing all it can, to help families to cope with whatever mental and financial burdens that may come along the way with each pregancy. However, I do have my fair shares of reservations, as to whether these seemingly "too-good-to-be-true" perks will ultimately hit its objectives. Note: the below are just my own wondering opinions, and do not represent any person, organisation etc.
The Government introduced some (will not list all) of the below perks like:
1) 4 Months Maternity Leave
This has to be one of the most widely discussed perks since 2 years back. It was such a debate-able topic then, when the original 1 month Maternity Leave was increased to 3 months. Then, it would mean a new mother would enjoy working for only 3/4 year. How great is that? Now, in a bid to "help" new mothers bond even further with their new family member, and to get used to the "Motherly" role, they now (wef 17 August) will get a 4 months maternity leave. That is like . . . working only 2/3 year??!!
Honestly speaking, when we first heard the news, and that was before the full detailed plans were announced, we were shocked! It could be because we are seeing from a company owners' point of views, that it meant extra overheads if we were required to pay an employee for 12 months whilst she effectively works only 8 months. That will also result in getting a temporary staff to tide over her work, or to overload other colleagues by delegating her jobs to others.
But, all is well, when we heard that the Government will share in the 2 months leave while the company gives its rightful 2 months to the pregnant employee. Still, i do wonder eventually with such perks, will it backfire, such that there will be discrimination against the female workforce eventually? Or will it become a skewed working ratio to see companies employing women employees after 40 yrs of age?
2) Baby Cash Bonus
To ensure lesser financial burden for new families with new kids, cash bonus are being introduced in 2004. Also, with every $1 saved for the kid, the Government tops another $1, capped to $6000 ceiling. This year, for every 1st or 2nd baby of the family, a cash bonus of $4000 will be given to the family, though not immediate after birth. I am not sure, but it should be within the 18 months of birth. Of cos, 3rd or 4th kid gets higher incentives.
Frankly, i thought such cash incentives are better than the 4 months of Maternity Leave. At least, it seems more practical than the leave part. You see, after assuming your leave, you come back to your workplace, with tenterhooks on how your superiors and colleagues see you. Then you start worrying about your appraisals. And possibly due to 4 months being with your bab, you'll start missing your kid like hell when away from home. Hahaha, thats quite a lot of worrying after a 4 months holiday, right? The cash incentive part, on the other hand, is such a practical move. Afterall, it doesnt take only the new parents to know the expensive-ness of formula milk, disposable diapers, regular visits to gynaes and GPs. Even the young adults today, know the high expenses involved, and that is probably the No. 1 resistance against having their own offsprings.
Well, I genuinely salute those couples in having more than 3 kids. I am sure their households are filled with sincere laughters more often than offensive squabblings. However, i shudder when i think about the huge expenses incurred in the family. The image of "S-eleven ($)" balloons in the back of my mind. Having one child at home, to me, is already a huge finanicial expense, with frequent visits to doctors, attending pre-schools and whatever extra supplementary classes. Comparing Daryl to other kids in his school, he seemed to be badly compromised, with too little enrichment classes. But then again, I am not sure if I will want him to have a lifeless yet stressful childhood, or will I start to regret if he cant keep up with his peers. Dear Sel always chides me, for overly thinking. and that she believes Daryl is one streetwise kid and I should not be giving everyone a stressful life worrying about his development.
I am hoping to see the below measures that will hopefully be adopted by the Government:
1) Higher Subsidies for Educational Development
I am sure one of the reasons deterring parents from having more than a kid is the high educational cost in Singapore. Yes, I am not aware of the exact cost, and neither am i very sure if others will be slamming me, telling me that it is very often, much higher cost to study in other countries. But, I do know for sure, that the new breed of parents are all educated, and they do know very well, that education in Singapore is such a high expense, that starts from when the kid reaches his/her 4 yrs old, when they attend pre-schools. That aside, I am not even talking about the "elitists" who start enrolling their infants into "branded" infant cares!!
At current moment, yes, the Government has been subsidising the educational aspect, but perhaps more can be done? Enrichment classes can be subsidised, for example? Besides the normal pre-schools, main schools that are subsidised, the pre-schooling programs could be further subsidised too? Cos we all know that young kids absorb the most in their early years, and that would possibly be an area the government can assist the parents to breed "quality" kids? It scares me when i hear people sending their toddlers to pre-schools that cost as much as $1200 per term!!! Good for them that they can afford. But that doesnt mean kids who attend the PCF (known affectionately as the PAP) are any lousier. Most of us in the 70s and 80s "graduated" from there too, dun we? And we arent any less capable than our other peers. Still, with more grants from the Government, it can only mean a wider choice for parents to decide which schools are more appropriate to them and their lifestyle.
2) 5 Working Days Week / More Off Days?
You know, instead of having a one shot 4 months Maternity Leave, wouldn't it be great if all new parents or rather, all Singaporeans work on a 5-day week? It doesnt necessary need to be a Monday to Friday thingy actually. But the fact that having 2 days in a week to bond with the family and kids is seemingly more effective than a 4 months togetherness and then "separation" due to work, isn't it? The fact that Singaporeans work very hard, is an understatement. But it is also this understatement that results in people having lesser kinship bonding within the family. And that usually also means lesser time to make babies.
Having been in the events industry for years, i know that i miss my family life a lot. And it is those off days, that i treasure the most, to be able to spend time with my family, whether immediate or extended. To be able to bring my Daryl Darling out for ice cream treats, or shopping trips or for a swim, is just pure luxury. My weekends are usually burnt and every Monday is a precious day for me. No amount of money can make up for this quality Monday. Besides that, to be able to go for family holidays (when family means everyone including my parents, bro and own family - in short, called a Kampong), is such a "to-do-thing" in my yearly calendar task list. It doesnt have to be a 15 days Australia trip, or a 22 days Europe trip, to make me feel blissfully in love with the entire Kampong. A short 5D4N is more than enough, if everyone enjoys themselves thoroughly, with beautiful pictures taken to walk me down memory lane. And all these are made possible, by having more off days!! And of cos, vitamin M becomes the main energy-booster.
Well, the above are, and i reiterate, my own thinkings, and while i dwell myself in my own imaginary air bubbles, i do hope the suggestions will be adopted somehow. Hopefully we will see more people benefit from the above. And perhaps, the birth rates will somewhat rise soon??
So, how helpful are the newly devised measures? Will birth rates shoot up with the introduction of these schemes (supposedly termed as "Aids")? What are the concerns Singaporeans face, that hinder the enlargement of a nucleus family?
Sometimes, we keep hearing newly-weds say the same old things for instance," we want to have 2 yrs of honey moon or 2-persons world, before we settle down with a kid". I suppose most newly weds will have the tendency to think this way, unless we are talking about those of a certain age or those who have been dating for like decades. I remember i used to be very kaypoh, telling friends to try for babies when they are mentally ready, and not when they are done with their 2yrs plans. Reasons being that I have seen many couples trying hard for their own kids for "god-knows-how-many-years", only to be disappointed months after months. Things dun necessary fall into places, as what you would wish for.
I do appreciate the fact that government is doing all it can, to help families to cope with whatever mental and financial burdens that may come along the way with each pregancy. However, I do have my fair shares of reservations, as to whether these seemingly "too-good-to-be-true" perks will ultimately hit its objectives. Note: the below are just my own wondering opinions, and do not represent any person, organisation etc.
The Government introduced some (will not list all) of the below perks like:
1) 4 Months Maternity Leave
This has to be one of the most widely discussed perks since 2 years back. It was such a debate-able topic then, when the original 1 month Maternity Leave was increased to 3 months. Then, it would mean a new mother would enjoy working for only 3/4 year. How great is that? Now, in a bid to "help" new mothers bond even further with their new family member, and to get used to the "Motherly" role, they now (wef 17 August) will get a 4 months maternity leave. That is like . . . working only 2/3 year??!!
Honestly speaking, when we first heard the news, and that was before the full detailed plans were announced, we were shocked! It could be because we are seeing from a company owners' point of views, that it meant extra overheads if we were required to pay an employee for 12 months whilst she effectively works only 8 months. That will also result in getting a temporary staff to tide over her work, or to overload other colleagues by delegating her jobs to others.
But, all is well, when we heard that the Government will share in the 2 months leave while the company gives its rightful 2 months to the pregnant employee. Still, i do wonder eventually with such perks, will it backfire, such that there will be discrimination against the female workforce eventually? Or will it become a skewed working ratio to see companies employing women employees after 40 yrs of age?
2) Baby Cash Bonus
To ensure lesser financial burden for new families with new kids, cash bonus are being introduced in 2004. Also, with every $1 saved for the kid, the Government tops another $1, capped to $6000 ceiling. This year, for every 1st or 2nd baby of the family, a cash bonus of $4000 will be given to the family, though not immediate after birth. I am not sure, but it should be within the 18 months of birth. Of cos, 3rd or 4th kid gets higher incentives.
Frankly, i thought such cash incentives are better than the 4 months of Maternity Leave. At least, it seems more practical than the leave part. You see, after assuming your leave, you come back to your workplace, with tenterhooks on how your superiors and colleagues see you. Then you start worrying about your appraisals. And possibly due to 4 months being with your bab, you'll start missing your kid like hell when away from home. Hahaha, thats quite a lot of worrying after a 4 months holiday, right? The cash incentive part, on the other hand, is such a practical move. Afterall, it doesnt take only the new parents to know the expensive-ness of formula milk, disposable diapers, regular visits to gynaes and GPs. Even the young adults today, know the high expenses involved, and that is probably the No. 1 resistance against having their own offsprings.
Well, I genuinely salute those couples in having more than 3 kids. I am sure their households are filled with sincere laughters more often than offensive squabblings. However, i shudder when i think about the huge expenses incurred in the family. The image of "S-eleven ($)" balloons in the back of my mind. Having one child at home, to me, is already a huge finanicial expense, with frequent visits to doctors, attending pre-schools and whatever extra supplementary classes. Comparing Daryl to other kids in his school, he seemed to be badly compromised, with too little enrichment classes. But then again, I am not sure if I will want him to have a lifeless yet stressful childhood, or will I start to regret if he cant keep up with his peers. Dear Sel always chides me, for overly thinking. and that she believes Daryl is one streetwise kid and I should not be giving everyone a stressful life worrying about his development.
I am hoping to see the below measures that will hopefully be adopted by the Government:
1) Higher Subsidies for Educational Development
I am sure one of the reasons deterring parents from having more than a kid is the high educational cost in Singapore. Yes, I am not aware of the exact cost, and neither am i very sure if others will be slamming me, telling me that it is very often, much higher cost to study in other countries. But, I do know for sure, that the new breed of parents are all educated, and they do know very well, that education in Singapore is such a high expense, that starts from when the kid reaches his/her 4 yrs old, when they attend pre-schools. That aside, I am not even talking about the "elitists" who start enrolling their infants into "branded" infant cares!!
At current moment, yes, the Government has been subsidising the educational aspect, but perhaps more can be done? Enrichment classes can be subsidised, for example? Besides the normal pre-schools, main schools that are subsidised, the pre-schooling programs could be further subsidised too? Cos we all know that young kids absorb the most in their early years, and that would possibly be an area the government can assist the parents to breed "quality" kids? It scares me when i hear people sending their toddlers to pre-schools that cost as much as $1200 per term!!! Good for them that they can afford. But that doesnt mean kids who attend the PCF (known affectionately as the PAP) are any lousier. Most of us in the 70s and 80s "graduated" from there too, dun we? And we arent any less capable than our other peers. Still, with more grants from the Government, it can only mean a wider choice for parents to decide which schools are more appropriate to them and their lifestyle.
2) 5 Working Days Week / More Off Days?
You know, instead of having a one shot 4 months Maternity Leave, wouldn't it be great if all new parents or rather, all Singaporeans work on a 5-day week? It doesnt necessary need to be a Monday to Friday thingy actually. But the fact that having 2 days in a week to bond with the family and kids is seemingly more effective than a 4 months togetherness and then "separation" due to work, isn't it? The fact that Singaporeans work very hard, is an understatement. But it is also this understatement that results in people having lesser kinship bonding within the family. And that usually also means lesser time to make babies.
Having been in the events industry for years, i know that i miss my family life a lot. And it is those off days, that i treasure the most, to be able to spend time with my family, whether immediate or extended. To be able to bring my Daryl Darling out for ice cream treats, or shopping trips or for a swim, is just pure luxury. My weekends are usually burnt and every Monday is a precious day for me. No amount of money can make up for this quality Monday. Besides that, to be able to go for family holidays (when family means everyone including my parents, bro and own family - in short, called a Kampong), is such a "to-do-thing" in my yearly calendar task list. It doesnt have to be a 15 days Australia trip, or a 22 days Europe trip, to make me feel blissfully in love with the entire Kampong. A short 5D4N is more than enough, if everyone enjoys themselves thoroughly, with beautiful pictures taken to walk me down memory lane. And all these are made possible, by having more off days!! And of cos, vitamin M becomes the main energy-booster.
Well, the above are, and i reiterate, my own thinkings, and while i dwell myself in my own imaginary air bubbles, i do hope the suggestions will be adopted somehow. Hopefully we will see more people benefit from the above. And perhaps, the birth rates will somewhat rise soon??
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