Single Parenthood

Single mother. Disabled child. Elderly grandmother earning $1000. Rebecca a single mother aged 31 had a 9-year-old son out of wedlock when she was 22. Unable to cope with the pressures of raising a child, she ended her own son's death by throwing him out of the window. Rebecca who was later remanded for psychiatric treatment, was unable to work as she needed to look after her son who needed special care and attention all round the clock. Unlike most first world countries, the handicapped and unemployed are not given any payouts neither does Singapore have a minimum wage law. This is a typical heart wrenching case study of the pressures and challenges single parents face in Singapore. More should be done to safeguard the interests of single parents and their children in order to prevent5 such situations from arising again.
One of the societal problems that exist in Singapore is the lack of support for single parents. Single parents are defined as those who do not live with a partner hence having to grapple between daily chores, career and personal development and raising a child. A traditional Asian family consists of both parents along with their children. Being a single parent does not align with our values and norms. The Government’s Family Pledge discriminates against single parenting and holds the traditional family unit in high respect. Single parents lack financial and psychological support from the Singaporean government and society.
It is ironical for our Government to encourage procreation and yet deny single mothers the benefits enjoyed by married couples simply because they are not part of a family nucleus comprising both husband and wife. On average there are 550 single parents each year and it is expected to rise in the near future due to more independent individuals stepping up, more divorces and more unplanned pregnancies amongst teenagers. Single parents face many difficulties and they tend to be alienated from society. 60% of single mothers