Daily Lessons from Life 22 January 2012 - Govt to grow families as first line of support amid economic uncertainty

"Govt to grow families as first line of support amid economic uncertainty - CNA 22 January 2012

SINGAPORE: Singapore's fertility rate went up slightly last year, from a historic low of 1.15 in 2010, to 1.20 in 2011. This was revealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Lunar New Year message on Sunday.

He said the government's priority is to grow families and reduce the anxieties and burdens of parents.

While, the government is strengthening Singapore's social safety nets to help more families in need, amid global economic uncertainty, Mr Lee said that families must remain the first line of support.

"Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has been steadily dropping from 1.60 in 2000 to 1.20 in 2011, despite many government measures to encourage couples to have more children. This is especially true for Chinese Singa?poreans, whose TFR has dropped from 1.43 to 1.08 over the same period. Singa?pore's TFR picked up slightly in 2011 (1.20), compared to 2010 (1.15), but I do not think we have reversed the long-term downward trend," said Mr Lee.

There are grants and measures to help families juggle parenthood and work, and young couples get priority when buying their first home. What is needed now is a supportive social climate that will nudge couples into having more babies.

Growing families is a priority for the government because they are seen as the first line of support in times of hardship.

Mr Lee said the government will help families which encounter difficulties. It will also do more to help Singaporeans help themselves, and create more opportunities for them to succeed."

Filial piety is touted as one of the many virtues of Chinese tradition. Yet, this CANNOT be the reason why the government should and can take a back seat as the 2nd line of defence to support Singaporeans who fall into difficulties despite trying their level best to stay employable and productive.

Lessons for me are:

1. PM Lee mentioned lessening the burden of the parents for new babies or young children. This is great. The many past babies incentives and other grants and what not DID NOT seems to work very well as the TFR was still low. Maybe, as I have stated in the past, the incentives are NOT attractive enough or reassuring enough that the parents CAN afford to raise the kids (2, or 3 if you can afford them) up without struggling constantly;

2. at the same time, growing the families CANNOT be the 1st line of defence when the parents become aged and, sometimes unfortunately fall sick, when the children MAY NOT be able to take care of their OWN families!! Just like the old lady I gave S$50 to the other day who said her children are not well educated and cannot afford to support her fully. She needs to get help from the various NGOs and governmental financial assistance. With the increasing cost of living, more and more children with dependents will NOT be able to take care of the aged and sick parents without being bankrupt! So, the state MUST step in to help;

3. as some visitors commented: why do you have so many old people working as janitors, old job workers in the food/hawker centers clearing dishes, etc when in their own countries the seniors are normally well taken care of! Their costs of living are low and they DO NOT have to spend a lot of money to get the basic food and a healthy lifestyle of dancing/singing/retiring!! This is something Singapore REALLY need to think about - what happened in a 1st World Nation? Does a 1st World Country means everyone has to work to make a living till he or she expires?

A depressing thought to write about on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Water Dragon!!

May I wish all a Healthy, Happy (these 2 will keep the MOST expensive items for the aged), Purposeful (be able to do good and have a peace of mind) and Prosperous (if you still have means to generate income - passive or active) Year of the Water Dragon ahead!