Kai Lin/To what extent is Singapore a family-friendly society?

Singapore has a family-friendly workforce culture. The government and companies in general have many policies and schemes that help employees strike a good work-life balance. Because of a declining fertility rate, the government has taken steps to encourage procreation by giving mothers extended maternity leave. Some companies such as Creative and Keppel Singapore also have family-friendly schemes. By having ‘Eat With Your Family Day’ at least once a year, these companies are sending the idea that they recognise the importance of family life to their employees, whether young children or elderly parents are the ones who need time and attention back at home. However, in terms of school life, Singapore is not family-friendly. Students often leave the house in the morning and return home in the afternoon. They only get to spend the weekends and evenings with their parents for some important bonding. In fact, some career-minded parents would even not be home in time for dinner and end up hardly communicating with their children on a daily basis. As such, parents with schooling children may not feel that Singapore is family-friendly because of their differing schedules. However, not all parents are career-driven. They can apply for leave to go on vacations with their children once in a while because of the very same policies provided by the government and companies. Therefore, Singapore is a family-friendly society.