A more family-friendly Singapore is aim of recent moves: PM Wong

Shift from direct incentives for procreation as parenthood is a deeply personal choice

- Chin Soo Fang

The introduction of 10 weeks of shared parental leave is part of larger moves to create a more family-friendly Singapore, and a shift away from past policies to directly incentivise procreation, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

This is because marriage and parenthood are deeply personal choices, and people have to find their own balance between competing aspirations and goals, he said on Aug 23.

He noted that the Forward Singapore exercise had spotlighted areas of concern for many young parents and families, such as pre-school and education, and a desire to spend time with their children when they are infants.

"It's less of the perhaps older, previous approach, where it's incentives for babies," he said. "But rather than direct incentives towards procreation per se... we can use these resources to create a more family-friendly environment in general."

Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, took over as Singapore's fourth head of government on May 15, which makes Aug 22 100 days since he took over the leadership reins.