Couples Say Both Partners Must Shoulder Equal Responsibility in Parenthood

Why It Matters

Employers and policymakers must create flexible, supportive environments to retain talent and reverse Singapore’s declining birth rate, directly influencing future workforce stability and economic vitality.

Key Takeaways

• Equal parenting responsibility reduces marital strain and supports fertility.
• Flexible work hours and childcare access crucial for Singapore couples.
• High childcare usage reflects dual‑income households and cost pressures.
• Gender‑specific flexibility boosts fertility intentions differently for mothers and fathers.
• Cultural shift in parental leave norms needed to sustain family growth.

Summary

The video explores how Singapore couples view equal sharing of parenting duties as essential for marital health and a potential remedy to the nation’s record‑low fertility rate. Interviewees describe the pressures of high living costs, demanding work schedules, and societal expectations that deter many from starting families, while highlighting the country’s rising median age at first birth. Key insights include the heavy reliance on formal childcare—Singapore children spend an average 41 hours per week in care, among the world’s highest—and the need for flexible work arrangements. Researchers cite gender‑specific effects: reduced hours for fathers and schedule or location flexibility for mothers both improve fertility intentions, underscoring the importance of workplace autonomy. Parents share personal stories: one single mother credits flexible work for balancing duties; another couple delegates chores to protect weekend family time; Dr. Kalpana Vignesa emphasizes that cultural attitudes toward parental leave and flexibility are as critical as policy levers. The discussion also notes that high expectations and competitive schooling add emotional strain. The implications are clear: without coordinated policy reforms—expanded leave, affordable childcare, and genuine workplace flexibility—Singapore’s demographic challenges will persist, affecting labor supply, consumer markets, and long‑term economic growth.

Original Description

Some parents in Singapore say that having children can be delightful but both partners must shoulder equal responsibility throughout the parenthood journey. If not, it can strain their marital relationships. In part four of CNA’s week-long series on marriage and parenthood, parents share their challenges with Alxis Thng, as the country faces a record-low total fertility rate. An expert also weighs in on the pressures of modern parenting.