Grassroots campaigns encourage public conversation on social issues

Head, Research and Development

Focus on the Family Singapore

The popular response to I Love Children’s (ILC) campaign on fertility awareness (“Campaign on fertility issues criticised; organisers say they are raising awareness”; Feb 4) demonstrates that fertility is a topic close to the hearts of Singaporeans. This is heartening in a society and world where population growth is a critical social concern.

Although ILC’s approach may not have found favour with everyone, those who disagree may want to consider the common ground.

ILC president Joni Ong agrees, together with other individuals and groups including the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), that parenthood is a personal choice. Hence, the purpose of ILC’s campaign is not to debate the freedom of parenthood, but to promote awareness of fertility issues so that people make informed choices.

The public discourse on ILC’s campaign suggests more efforts are needed to foster wider understanding of sensitive issues such as pregnancy loss and infertility, especially as the average age of parenthood rises and doctors anticipate increasing rates of infertility.

Public education on fertility helps dispel the stigma on miscarriages and infertility, while support groups empower couples to share mutual experiences and receive encouragement.

As government policies evolve to meet Singaporeans’ parenthood needs, grassroots initiatives are integral in shaping societal attitudes towards fertility, pregnancy and parenthood, which are multifaceted issues. It is promising to see more social initiatives addressing parenthood and parenting. For example, Breast-Feeding Friends Singapore, another non-profit campaign, tackles attitudes towards nursing infants in public.

Social initiatives and messages rarely, if not never, get unanimous support. Nevertheless, they provide much-needed avenues for public conversations that organically develop society.