AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF NON-FAMILY LIVING ON FAMILY FORMATION ATTITUDES AMONG CHINESE GRADUATES IN SINGAPORE
JOANNE KHAW HUEY LIN
JOANNE KHAW HUEY LIN
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Abstract
Non-family living arrangement (NFLA) is a typical fonn of living arrangement among Singaporean students who study in overseas universities. This study aims to explore the consequences ofNFLA, especially those involving family formation attitudes. In the United States, where such living arrangements has become commonplace among young adults, studies have found that NFLA among these people have resulted in less traditional family orientation, and the corrosion of family values. Following similar arguments posited by U.S. researchers, there are adequate reasons to believe these occurrences would prevail among the Singaporean students who attend universities abroad as well. There are three groups of respondents in this study: 1) Singaporeans who studied in universities abroad (either the U.S., U.K. or Australia), 2) Malaysians who studied in Singapore universities, and 3) Singaporeans who went to local universities. They are referred to as Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, respectively. Comparisons between these groups were made to analyse the effects of NFLA among students who studied in a Western universities (Group 1), Singapore universities (Group 2) and local universities (Group 3). In this study, to explain how NFLA is related to family formation attitudes, two variables were used: 1) proximity of social interaction and, 2) perceived social support. Findings show that the proximity of interaction among Singaporean students studying in overseas universities and the locals of that particular country is absent. These students tend to interact within a close-knit community comprising of other Singaporeans like themselves. Perceived social support from family members was found to be low among all respondents contrary to what was expected. Corollary to these findings, the observed family formation attitudes among Group 1, 2 and 3 were found to be quite similar, with the exception of a few, which were rather insignificant. However, new insights concerning the role of religion was found to be a significant factor influencing family formation attitudes for all respondents who profess a religious affiliation.
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1999
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