FAMILY VALUES ON PRIME-TIME TELEVISION IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Prime-time TV in Singapore portrays values that promote non-conventional (single parent) families. Nonconventional families are prevalent, experience more positive interactions and have better child to parent relationships than conventional (traditional nuclear) families. Western programmes, more than Asian programmes, portrays values that promote nonconventional families. A content analysis of a constructed week of primetime TV in Singapore, revealed these findings. Family members' roles as defined by their interactions, was the unit of analysis. These roles and interactions were compared across family types and across foreign and local programming. The Singapore government claims and assumes that TV, especially foreign programmes, undermines the nuclear family and makes children more disrespectful towards parents. Assumptions like these, have rationalised the control and regulation of TV. Thus, this study takes a small step to examine one assumption the government holds about TV in Singapore. The findings for this study have specific implications for family portrayals on TV and wider implications for TV policy and media research in Singapore.