PARENTING IN SINGAPORE : FATHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDCARE

Abstract

When the topic of parenting is brought up, the image generally conjured is that of the mother taking care of the children and the family; with the father thought of only as the financial provider. Rarely is the father thought to play an active part in the actual care of children or in doing housework. Despite the fact that women are entering the labour force in increasing numbers, this division of labour is still prevalent in the industrialised world and in Singapore looks set to remain for some time. Increasingly, Western literature has indicated that rising trend of father participation or the involvement of fathers in childcare. This exercise aims to study the parenting patterns of Malay families in Singapore. It focuses on Malay fathers involvement in childcare and domestic activities and the effects of the involvement on themselves and the family. It examines the factors that shape the attitudes towards increased involvement or whether they impede such a move. This focus is developed within two theoretical frameworks. Although the study is limited to within one community, it concludes by suggesting the need for more research in this area and the benefits directly or indirectly derived from encouraging the trend of increased paternal involvement to the general context of Singapore’s socio-economic situation.