ST Feb 8, 2005
Strong family ties matter, says PM Lee

AS FAMILIES get together this evening for the traditional Chinese New Year reunion dinner, Mr Lee Hsien Loong has underscored the importance that families continue to play in Singapore.

In his first Chinese New Year message as Prime Minister, he recognised that changing social norms and globalisation increased the pressure on the role families played - and gave the assurance the Government would be there to help.

But he said that the measures which the Government takes 'can only complement the family's traditional role, and not supplant it'.

'To be a resilient society, we need strong and close families. Ultimately, helping out relatives who are in need, and bringing up children into upright, productive adults, are acts motivated by kinship bonds and emotional ties.'

Families have always had a central role in Asian societies, he said.

When the tsunami disaster struck, for instance, survivors turned instinctively to their extended families for food, shelter and comfort.

Families also provide encouragement and support to couples to produce and bring up the next generation, passing on values and attitudes that stay with the young for life.

'However, our social norms are shifting,' he said, noting that new couples juggled their time between work, family and leisure.

'Globalisation is creating new opportunities and prosperity, but at the same time, it is generating new pressures on individuals and families. This is increasing the pressure on the traditional roles of the family,' he added.

Extended families have given way to nuclear families. So when someone falls ill or loses his job, he cannot always depend on the extended family to help him through.

Competing demands also meant that couples delayed marriage, settled for fewer children, or had none at all.

'In these changing circumstances, the Government is strengthening social safety nets to help families protect the vulnerable, and encouraging couples to have more children to live balanced, fulfilling lives,' he said.

It was a reiteration of a pledge made in Parliament last month that the Government would offer lifelines of aid for the old, poor and jobless.

This included the revamping of the medical insurance plan MediShield, and building up Medifund, which pays medical bills of the poor, from $1 billion to $2 billion.
ComCare, a $500 million endowment fund that will be built up to $1 billion, supports programmes that help families get back on their feet.

Government policies also aim to make Singapore 'a great place for families,' said Mr Lee, a father of four. Procreation policies introduced last year are showing some encouraging signs. He said: 'It is too early to assess results, but I have met many couples carrying young babies, who tell me happily that they are collecting the Baby Bonus.

'And hospitals have reported that this year there are more pregnancy consultations, and many applications to use Medisave for antenatal packages.'

Mr Lee said Chinese New Year is a good time 'to remind ourselves that the traditional role of the family remains relevant in our modern society'.

The Year of the Monkey which ends today was a good year for Singapore with strong growth, lower unemployment and returning confidence and optimism. 'As families gather for reunion dinners, as young people visit their elders to pay respects, and as we welcome the Year of the

Rooster amidst firecrackers and lion dances, let us keep these traditions alive and look forward to a good year ahead,' he said.

'I wish all Singaporeans a prosperous Chinese New Year.'


i do agree wif e pink words tt having children do indeed make ur life more fulfilling.....was chatting wif my sis last nite....she was asking me if i wld encourage my husband(-to-be) to donate his sperms....i wld only if e sperms r used 4 research purpose, not as smebody else's procreation needs.....4 1 thing i do not 1 my kids 2 bump into 1 o their siblings outside w/o knowing!!!! but tt's not my main concern....cos i feel tt there r so many children out there w/o a home, w/o a family.....it'll b more worthwhile 2 adopt these kids, then 2 spend a ton o $$$ doing artificial insemination......if u truly love kids, it wldn't matter if they r ur own or not....

if i can afford it, i wld 1 2 adopt a kid.....

swing said smething e other time tt made me changed my view abt having children....i told her tt i wasn't ready 2 have kids cos i really dunno how 2 teach or raise 1.....then she said tt her parents r still learning 2 b parents up until now....it suddenly dawn on me tt e most important thing is 2 really have love 4 e kid, & 2 have e responsibilities.....teaching him/her rite or wrong isn't tt impt....there is no perfect parent....

hopefully i can b a gd enough parent smeday.....not in e near future though....i'm scared o e responsibilities....but if i do find sme1 who share e same idea o being a parent, it may not b tt far away.......tmr's e new year.....hope every wish will come true.....4 every1....