(Update)
So sorry but I actually didn't really read the original article before writing this (usually get news from friends) but after reading it I sorta understand it better. This was written when someone sent me the one from the "anti government" website which is slightly biased. So yes, pretty much aware of the "real" situation after several ppl sent me the original article from non-biased websites.
"In an interview with government-controlled media Channel News Asia, Minister for Social and Family Development (MSF) Tan Chuan Jin said that the ruling PAP Government will still not support equal rights for single parents because it is not the “norm”"
It's so stupid because not all Single Parents want to be Single Parents by choice. Yes, some people do choose to lead that lifestyle because going through an abortion does seem cruel and some women do feel strong and are capable enough to do so. But many don't...and many times it's because the Father of the child isn't a good person. So these women have to live with a cheating husband or an abusive guy for the rest of her life just so she can enjoy the benefits from the government? If father of the child has another woman outside, the mother has to marry him just so she can have a "normal" family? You'd say, then why they even had a child in the first place. Well, people can change overnight and ya, accidents do happen. Everyone wants a perfect family, who would choose not to have one if they could? Also, some guys just refuse to be responsible for the life they created, how about the government force these men to be responsible since they wanna "force" marriage like that? It's always the woman's fault but hey, it takes 2 hands to clap? Whether Single or Married, the responsibility to raise a child is the same...a parent is a parent. In fact, it is two times tougher on a single parent! Single parents aren't even asking for more benefits...just EQUAL benefits. After all, everyone is paying taxes too.
For myself, thankfully I have great family support and because my partner and I have plans, this "status" won't be for long. So this complain post isn't about me but for those other mummies out there. It is not the same for everyone... I have met so many single moms who really struggle. They struggle to find time to look after their child because they have to work full time (some even work 2 Jobs) to pay the bills and also struggle to find a roof over their head because single parents cannot purchase a HDB (until they reach 35). Most of the time thanks to their irresponsible partners who abandoned them. Still, they chose to keep the child because they really cannot bear to go through an abortion. Especially those who discover their pregnancy at a later stage, when you see the ultrasound scan of a fully formed baby, you have the heart to abort meh?? Also met one whom partner passed away the week they were going to tie the knot and shortly after found out she was 5 weeks pregnant. Some things are really not by choice. Hopefully one day the government would be a little more sympathetic and give single parents the same benefits because it really isn't easy raising a child on their own at all. I'm not anti PAP and do wish they continue running the country as they've been doing a great job so far and am not sure if the opposition can do better but there are little things like that I wish would change. Why should the parent be punished for choosing the brave step to raise a child? It is just so sad these parents get condemned for their bravery.