MSF to strengthen support as trends in families evolve

SINGAPORE — While the nuclear family remains the dominant household structure, families in Singapore are evolving with other household structures increasing in proportion.

For instance, the households with people living alone rose from eight per cent in 2000 to 11 per cent last year. Married couples who are childless or living without their children also rose from 11 per cent to 14 per cent in the same period.

Recent marriages are also facing higher dissolution rates, with about one in five marriages registered in 1998 ending by their 15th anniversary, compared to 12.3 per cent of 1987 marriages.

These trends and figures were some of the issues discussed at the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) second Social Service Partners Conference today (May 22).

The conference brought together 450 social service professionals, voluntary welfare organisations (VWO), academics and policy makers to discuss emerging family trends and strengthen support for families through policies and programmes.

Speaking at the conference, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin said: “Having a better understanding of emerging trends affecting families, such as changing family structures, greater family pressures and a growing number of families facing unique and complex issues, will help us as government and community to better support families.”