MOVING TOWARDS GENDER EGALITARIANISM? AN EXPLORATION OF YOUNG SINGAPOREANS’ IDEAL FAMILY ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Familial roles have been constantly evolving in tandem with changing gender roles. In Singapore, the state-projected ideal family unit consists of highly educated, dual-income heterosexual parents and their children. With women now expected to work, they are subjected to the constant dilemma of being good workers, wives, and mothers. This thesis examines young Singaporeans’ ideal family arrangements and their perceptions of the division of labour within their families. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, revealing a highly gendered preference for mothers as primary caregivers, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Women value the emotional significance of their child and desire to be stay-at-home mothers to practise intensive mothering and concerted cultivation as they conform to emphasised femininity, while men prefer being breadwinners to uphold hegemonic masculinity. Moreover, the ways to cope with familial responsibilities in dual-income households perpetuate gender inequality because women continue to bear a greater share of care work. Nonetheless, attitudes towards housework have become increasingly egalitarian, with young Singaporeans challenging traditional gender roles that assign care work to women. However, some aspiring stay-at-home mothers are keen to bear sole responsibility for housework to prove their value to the family, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Gender performance through housework is prevalent, with women taking on a disproportionate burden of care work as they perform household tasks more frequently and intensely. Despite some progress towards gender egalitarianism, family remains a long-standing barrier, and it is necessary to continue undoing gender to achieve more egalitarian relationships.