FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN SINGAPORE : AN EXAMINATION OF DROP-OUT AND RE-ENTRY

Abstract

This study looks into the background and the general patterns of female labour force participation in Singapore, with special emphasis on the issue of drop-out and re-entry. Unlike the trends in western industrialised countries, in Singapore the incidence of dropout from labour force is not followed by re-entry. In addition to an examination of the existing macrolevel trends, a sample of 30 women were interviewed. Out of the 30 cases, 22 women could be classified in the drop-out category. More than one third of them dropped-out or plan to drop-out from the labour force after marriage for childcare. Childcare appears to be the greatest hindrance for maternal employment. However, the cause for the discontinuous female employment lies in the anticipatory sex-role socialization. Moreover, the changes in family life-style have not kept in pace with the employment of women. Thus married women face role conflict or dual demands. Withdrawal from work remains a "solution" for them. To prevent further dropout and to promote greater re-entry of this "pool of wasted human resource", some alternatives and services are proposed.