SINGAPORE : The dating scene in Singapore looks set to be spiced
up.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports wants to
energise the local dating industry to give singles more
opportunities to meet a life partner.
The Ministry hopes to nip the problem of the falling birth rate in
its bud.
With one in three Singaporeans single, it wants to help more of
them find their life partners.
Dating agencies say it is high time the dating industry gets
energised.
Many are eager to work with the Ministry.
Ms Anisah Hassan, 'It's Just Lunch' (Dating Agency), said: "What we
need to do is build on that awareness that there are so many to
choose from, that there is online dating, there is off-line dating,
there is speed dating and there is other traditional matchmaking
and ours is a personalised matchmaking or dating service that puts
two persons together.
"So what needs to be done is for government to work hand in hand
with professionals like us, to point the singles out there to the
right direction."
Ultimately, sociologists say more needs to be done to convince
singles that Singapore is a great place to raise children.
Associate Professor Pauline Tay Straughan, Sociologist at the
National University of Singapore, said: "It is not just about
having babies. It is about getting married, and embracing families
and parenthood as a package.
"So it will take time for mindsets to change, have confidence that
they will be able to embrace families and embrace
parenthood."
The Ministry says it is pouring resources into this in the years
ahead.
It is reviewing Singapore's pro-family policies, expanding
childcare options and promoting the role of fathers in order to
support parenthood.
The Ministry is also looking into the needs of low-income families,
older Singaporeans and people with disabilities to build a cohesive
and resilient Singapore. - CNA
Read the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports'
Addendum to the President's Address.