SINGAPORE : The Minister for Community Development, Youth
and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, has stressed that the family is
the key institution underlying social policies.
This comes even as Singapore faces a changing landscape
and questions are raised about whether the family can continue to
be the main support.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew once told Dr Balakrishnan that looking
after the family is key to building a stable society. This
principle has underlined many of Singapore's policies, but times
are changing.
Speaking at a seminar on Singapore's social policies at the
National University of Singapore on Monday, Dr Balakrishnan noted
that although Singaporeans still value the family, some worrying
trends have persisted.
These include low birth rates, marriages at a later age, and a
rising number of divorces.
These developments have raised questions about whether the family
institution can be relied on as the main provider of emotional and
material support.
While recognising the stress placed on families, Dr Balakrishnan
said the state cannot take over the role of providing
support.
He said: "Government cannot be a surrogate family, we cannot be a
surrogate husband or a surrogate mother, or even a surrogate
child.
"Even as the family as an institution confronts greater challenges
in the future, we need to make adaptations so that the family
remains the crucial, social pillar of our nation and that we all
continue to invest in it.
"And it requires people both young and old, it requires the state,
it requires employers to pay attention to this aspect of it."
"I hope we will arrive at the situation where employers take into
account the needs of families. So for instance, wherever possible,
post both spouses overseas, give them good, fulfilling jobs
overseas so that the family can stay intact. That would be so much
better for our family stability."
Dr Balakrishnan felt that in order for Singapore to thrive in the
future, the nation must stay open to newcomers and help them
integrate into society.
The minister also highlighted the importance of helping all
citizens own assets, which will ensure that they are invested in
the nation's future.
Dr Balakrishnan continued: "It's not just giving welfare, but
making sure that you've got mandatory savings - enough savings to
last you a lifetime and to look after your family.
"To translate those savings into assets, housing or other
investments which you can pursue through the CPF investment scheme
so that these assets can be productive assets and produce
reasonable returns to you."
He said the government will continue to ensure that homes are
affordable, and cautioned owners against selling their flat for a
quick profit.
- CNA/al